As always, it’s going to be a busy December in Birlingham and
details of the first batch of events are given below.
In this issue:
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A Christmas-themed Cuppa & Chat will be held on
Wednesday 2nd December from 3 00pm to 4 30pm in Birlingham Village Hall. In
addition to the usual tea, cake and socialising there will also be mulled wine,
mince pies, nibbles, a charity raffle and Christmas music. All are welcome and
transport can be provided if required. So get yourself in a festive mood by
coming along.
Contacts: Brenda Fletcher (01386 750173) or Adrianne Woodward (01386
750936).
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Adrianne Woodward writes:
There will be a Church Cleaning Party on Saturday 5th
December, starting at 10.00am, to give St James's Church its pre-Christmas
spruce up. The cleaning sessions
normally last one to two hours but help of any duration will be gratefully
accepted. Brooms, dustpan and brush,
polish, dusters, feather dusters and of course enthusiasm would be very useful!
Refreshments will be
provided.
Just turn up or if you have any queries ring Adrianne
Woodward on 01386 750936.
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Claire Lording writes:
The
Church of England has written a discipleship course called ‘Pilgrim – A Course
for the Christian Journey’ that was launched in October 2013. ‘Pilgrim’ is
described as an innovative and inspiring programme for enquirers, new Christians
and existing Christians. It approaches the great issues of faith not through
persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion in
the company of a small group of fellow travellers. There are eight modules, of
six sessions each, which look at major elements of the Christian faith,
including: 'Turning to Christ’, which looks at the questions in the baptism
service, 'The Lord’s Prayer’, ’The Commandments’, ’The Beatitudes’, ’The
Creeds’. ’The Eucharist’, ‘The Bible’, ’The Church and Kingdom’.
We
would like to run the Pilgrim Course in the Benefice but to give people a feel
for what it is like I am running two taster sessions so you can come and see
what it’s all about. One of these will be on Saturday 5th December from 2.00pm
to 3.30pm in Birlingham Village Hall. All are welcome to come along and start
the journey!
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Services at St James’s Church during December will be held at
the following times:
- Sunday 6th: Morning Praise, 10.30am (with Peter Stansbie)
- Sunday 13th: Holy Communion, 10.30am (Ven.
Chris Liley)
- Sunday 20th: Carol Service, 6.00pm (Rev.
Henry Morgan)
- Thursday 24th: Christingle and Blessing of
the Crib, 4.00pm (Rev. Leonard Burn)
- Friday 25th: Christmas Day Service – Holy Communion, 10.30am (Rev. Henry
Morgan)
- Sunday 27th: No service at St
James’s
The Carol Service will be followed
by mulled wine and mince pies in Birlingham Village
Hall.
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Angela Fitch writes:
Preparations are almost complete for the Christmas Fayre.
However, we’re still looking for donations of seasonal greenery, books, CDs,
DVDs, raffle prizes and tombola contributions.
We also need a rug to create a nice effect for Santa,
alongside the presents and Christmas tree. If you have a ‘redundant’ rug which
you would be happy to loan to the event (an old one, as people will walk on it
and it may be marked) please contact Angela Fitch on 01386 751682 or angela.fitch@btinternet.com.
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This year’s Carol Service takes place on Sunday 20th December
at 6.00pm in St James’s Church, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in
Birlingham Village Hall. This year it is hoped to have a choir, instrumental
group and handbells:
- Wimpy Derbyshire will be getting together a small choir to sing at the
Carol Service. Could anyone who is interested please get in touch with her at
wimpybennett@hotmail.co.uk
or call her on 07860 557761. Obviously there will be rehearsals!
- Instrumentalists are invited to join a group to play some simple carols
before the Carol Service. We are aiming to get a few players together to
create a festive atmosphere and have some fun. All instruments and abilities
welcome, so please dust off that case and come along! Contact Jon Komor on jon.komor@hotmail.co.uk or call him
on 07788 480197.
- Would anyone interested in ringing handbells for this year’s Carol Service
please contact Chris Woodward, Stuart Allen or Steve Morris, or email news@birlingham.org. Numbers permitting
we will arrange a pre-service practice.
If you are interested in taking part in any of these groups, please get in
touch with the organisers by 2nd December.
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7. Christmas at the Swan
Inn
Zoe Haines writes:
Join us at The Swan Inn this December where we shall be opening our doors
for our second year of festive fun throughout the Christmas period. With our
Christmas menu starting the first week of December there shall be something to
tick everyone’s box whether you’re looking for a catch up with friends at lunch,
a celebratory dinner or a few drinks around the cosy log burner.
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Angela Fitch writes:
The New Year’s Eve Party takes place on Thursday 31st December from 8.00pm
until late in Birlingham Village Hall. £10 per ticket, profits will be donated
to Birlingham Village Hall.
Bring your own food and drinks and see the year out in style. Maurice
Sherwood’s seven-piece band will provide the music, everything from jazz and
swing through to today’s big hits. The hall will accommodate about 70 people,
plus the dance floor, consequently tickets are limited and have already started
to sell, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
We are looking for a sponsor for the fireworks – if you would like to
promote your business by providing some modest sponsorship we would love to hear
from you. Information about sponsorship and also booking via Angela Fitch on
01386 751682 or
angela.fitch@btinternet.com.
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At its meeting on 18th November,
Birlingham Parish Council discussed a number of matters, including the
following:
- The Council are compiling
more detailed results from the Village Survey and will be addressing the
issues raised over the coming months.
- Following the support of
76% of Village Survey respondents for a Village Design Statement, a public
meeting will be held in the New Year to begin the process of creating the
plan.
- The budget for next year
was discussed and a final decision on the precept will be made at the next
meeting on Wednesday 13th January.
- The Council discussed
problems relating to HGVs and other traffic in New Barn Lane and Church Lane,
and the poor state of the track from Berwick Lane to Nafford, and will look
into ways of improving these lanes.
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Angela Fitch writes:
Calling all cooks! Pat Lightbody is collecting recipes, traditional and
contemporary, to create a cookery book which will be sold and profits donated to
St James’s Church.
What’s your signature dish? Do you have an heirloom recipe? Or maybe you
have a great tip for: cooking for one, cooking for vegetarian guests, delicious
diet dishes or a disaster-free dinner party!
Please send your recipes, hints, tips, photos and anything else that you
think would make the book an interesting read to Pat Lightbody, The Row,
Birlingham or email
nplightbody@btopenworld.com or
phone 01386 751434.
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