Grassroots: community news from around the Ashfield district

Kirkby

Our Lady R C Church

21st September mass was led by Father F. Higgins. Liz Johnson read the lesson. The offertory procession members were Laura and Megan McPherson, Jim Turton, Simon Doherty and Katy Savage. Communion was served by Andrew O’Mara-Winson, Jim Turton, David Shipley, Herve Poveda and Jerry Herrington. The collection was taken by John Fejfer and Roman Rolinski. Maranatha played the music. Karen Ferrar and Jennifer Poveda served coffee in aid of parish funds.

Church of Christ

David Wilson led the morning meeting on 21st September Geoff Ellis read from the Old Testament. The New Testament reader was Roger Longden. Polite Mukange served communion. The evening service was a Bible study led by Dennis Faulks.

St Thomas’ Church

Dyan Dixon led the craft group in the church hall on 22nd September. Morning prayers were offered each day of the week except Wednesday when Holy Communion was taken by the vicar. The study group then met followed by a shared lunch. The Toddlers drop in session was held in the afternoon. On 20th September a working party met for maintenance work in the church gardens. On Holy Cross Day Rev Neil Popham led a family communion service. Reader Eric Russ assisted and gave the address. Prayers were by John Cook. Doreen Dickens played the piano. Refreshments were served in the church hall.

50 Plus

President Amy Butler welcomed the members to the meeting held at St Wilfrid’s Church Hall on 22nd September. Tea hostesses were Mary Colley, Katherine Blasdale and Janet Crane. Amy Butler organised a quiz. Members then held a discussion about their favourite things. 50 Plus meet every Monday at 1.30pm at the Brownsea Centre, Cobden Street and are eager to attract new members.

Forest Street Baptist

Art and Keep Fit classes are now back in full swing. Both groups meet on Tuesday mornings. Pastor Derek Smith of Arnold led 21st SeptemberHoly Communion. Servers were Mervyn Cole-Bowen and Jane Brierley. Miss Brierley was also the reader. The communion offering was dedicated to the Bible Society. Mervyn and Terri Cole-Bowen served morning coffee. The evening service was taken by Rev David Gregory of Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. Kathleen Gregory read the lesson. Music for the day was by Margaret and Doreen Homer. Kathleen Gregory opened the Ladies Fellowship. Members watched a DVD on reminiscences of Forest Street Baptist Church compiled some years ago by David Beardsley. The pianist was Doris Hickton. Maureen Osborne served refreshments.

Ashfield Chess Club

Has resumed following the summer break they meet every Wednesday evening at the coronation club Bannerman Rd NG178DW at 7.30pm. New members are welcome no matter how inexperienced as tuition will be given. For details ring Richard Dyce on 01623 758789 or view the website www.ashfieldchessclub.org.uk/home.

7 C’s Christian

21st September worship was led by David and Glenys Holloway with Mark Roxburgh and Tom Ward. Debbie Thorpe led a shared communion. Pastor Maurice England gave the address. 7 C’s offer a free coffee morning every Tuesday from 10.00 until 12.00am at their Diamond Centre headquarters and all are welcome to attend.

Spiritualist Church

Steven Brown of Nottingham was guest speaker at 21st September divine service chaired by Sue Hardy. Mary Patman gave 22nd September demonstration of clairvoyance. Janet Julian chaired the meeting and also delivered healing along with Gary Price. The awareness group met on 23rd September For further details of all church activities and private readings contact Sue Hardy on 01623 721905.

Spiritualist Church Sun 5th Oct divine service. Mon 6th Geoff Hutchinson. Tue 7th awareness group. All 7pm

Rotary

President Roger Pursey welcomed visitors Georgina Thomas and Keith Watson, he was pleased to present Rotn John McEwen with a badge from Rotary International for his recruitment efforts. Secretary Simon Chapman noted that letters of thanks had been received from Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Cancer Research for donations from the club. President elect Paul riley reported on the outing to the National Brewery Museum and previewed the skittles challenge from Kirkby Inner Wheel. He also highlighted local schools and churches participation in the club’s ‘End Polio’ week in October. Vice President Philip Hurt outlined the planned programme of charity fundraising events including musical entertainment, a shopping trip to York and indoor car boot. The Christmas programme was also outlined.

Hill Methodist Church

Gladys Dear led 22nd September Bible Study group hosted by Joy and Don Franks. The Toddler group met on 24th September. The DIY group worked on the church in the evening. The Dance class rehearsed on 18th September. Representatives from the Hill attended the Kirkby Churches Together prayer breakfast held at the Ashwood Centre on Saturday week. The monthly Messy Church play session was held at the Hill. Marian Matthews led 21st September service assisted by the Worship group who also performed a drama. Jean Low, Karen Grice and Don Franks all read. George Johnson of Whatstandwell took the evening service. The organist was Betty Grice.

W I

At the recent Kirkby WI meeting President Hazel Forrest welcomed members and introduced guest speaker Deputy District Judge Mrs Christine Doughty who gave an insightful and humorous talk on her role. Refreshments were served by Pam Stephens Norma boot and Teresa Rawding. Victoria Pickup and Caron Kelly won the raffle. Jackie Hayes received birthday greetings. The October meeting will be the AGM.

Trinity Methodist

Coffee bar was open 15th to 19th inclusive. 22nd September activities included the Chiildminders Group, forget Me Not Dementia Support and Brownies. Slimming world also met. Margaret Thorpe led the Tuesday Fellowship after churches together had held early prayers. Surestart Messy Play also met followed by the Crochet Class. The DVD fitness class met in the evening. Framework held advice sessions on 17th September 18th September ladies group were given legal advice by Collective Legal Solutions. The Luncheon and Friendship clubs both met. Trinity Singers rehearsed on 19th September A meeting of the Quilting Group then met as did the Notts Stroke Association. The centre hosted early prayers by Kirkby Churches together before healing in the street on 20th September. A Bible Society Quiz was held in the evening. Rev Mick Dilly led the ‘Back To Church Sunday’ service. Christine Nuthall was church steward and also gave a reading. The door steward was Jenny Wilcock. Margaret Hensby lit the candle. Family time was by Nancy Shipley Jeanette Dilley manned the media suite. The offering was collected by Hazel Forrest and Keith Shirley. The Vicar presented Sarah Copeland-Davies with a gift thanking her for her service as Church Community Worker. Margaret Thorpe donated church flowers and also served morning coffee in aid of the ‘All We Can’ appeal.

1st Guides

Reshuffled and reorganised their patrols and appointed new patrol leaders at St Wilfrids Scout HQ on22nd September Leaders Claire and Ann Sharman and Elaine Britnell outlined planned activities to celebrate the ‘Big Brownie Birthday Challenge’ the girls also looked at pre digital communication learning mores code and the NATO phonetic alphabet.

Inner Wheel

The President welcomed members and guest back to the first meeting following the summer holidays. A lively meeting followed with many happy reminiscences of the summer programme. Jean Molson’s coffee morning and the 1940’s Tea Party hosted by Tracy Barrett were mentioned as was the Linda Whites efforts at the joint Inner Wheel- Rotary BBQ. Lynda Moor’s fish and chip supper was also voted a success. Several members are knitting poppies for the royal British Legion. Members then discussed the forthcoming winter activities including International World Peace Day, visits to sister clubs and a joint skittles evening with Rotary. A Divali celebration and jewellery sale are also planned.

SUTTON

4th Rainbows

All-about-me work involved making a ‘spider’s web’ by sitting in a circle and using wool to pass between members at Wednesday, 17th September’s meeting. Leaders were Jane Johnson, Helen Cudworth, Katie Cudworth, Millie Coope, and Jan Wells.

5th Brownies

Members made and decorated Russian-style hats as part of a challenge at Wednesday, 17th September’s meeting. Leaders were Jane Johnson, Michelle Cook, Helen Cudworth, Kay Hawley, Katie Cudworth, Millie Coope and Jan Wells.

URC

Rev Colin Bones, conducted Sunday 21st September’s service and organist was Mrs Helena Wain. Vestry steward was Mrs Crystal Gibson and door steward was Mr Bill Gibson. Mr Mark Renshaw gave a reading and family church members and 1st (Sutton) Brownies took part. Mrs Ellen Hartshorne arranged flowers in memory of Mr Rowland Berrisford. Mrs Marion Newman and Mrs Janet Fairfield served refreshments