TOWN CRIER May 2005

Parish Church Services for Wolsingham & Thornley in May 2005

Wolsingham Methodist Church : Sunday Service at 10.30am

St Thomas ’ RC Church: Saturday Mass at 6.30pm

Wolsingham Baptist Church : Sunday Service at 3.00pm

Mothers’ Union

The next branch meeting will be on Tuesday 3^rd May in the Church Hall at 1.30pm . If anyone has any items for the Women’s refuge, please bring them to this meeting.

Christian Aid

Christian Aid Week this year is 15-21 May and there will be a house to house collection. Look out for the collectors with their red bags. As this is the year when great efforts are being made to Make Poverty History, please be as generous as you can to support Christian Aid projects around the world.

LATE LUNCH CLUB

The next Primary School Late Lunch for senior citizens will be held on 23^rd May. Transport to and from the school is available if required. Any senior citizen in the town is welcome to attend but the numbers are already close to capacity. Please therefore book early.  

 Home Communions and Visits

 If you know of anyone, including yourself, who would appreciate receiving communion at home, please contact the Rector on 527340. This is usually the first Wednesday in the month. Please keep the Rector informed of anyone who is ill or in hospital so that they can be included in his schedule of visits.

 Age Concern

The Age concern Mobile Information Service will be in the Market Place between 10.00am and 12 noon on the 3^rd Thursday each month. Issues relating to benefits, home security, healthy living and any others concerns can be discussed.

 THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Publication of the Town Crier will probably be too late to advertise the meeting in the Town Hall on 26^th April and too close to include any updated information from Poix de Picardie. It is reported however, that, at the time of preparing this article, any possible twinning exchanges are on hold but the group is planning an event for 14^th July. Full details will be published later.

 Although Poix is our “official” link, we are in contact with other twinning groups both in this country and in France . For example, we have received an invitation to join Beverley Twinning from East Yorkshire on their visit to Berlin which will involve a visit to Poland and Budapest . In addition our contacts in Ivry sur Seine ( Paris ) advise that 6 children from our area are invited to stay for 3 weeks in July during its “Village of the World” project, the only expense being the cost of travel to and from Paris .  Children from Germany , Cuba and elsewhere are also invited. It could be quite an experience.  

 By way of explanation our group is not funded by either the Parish or District Council and there are no “freebies on the rates”; we raise our own funds. We are simply determined to try and create friendships across the water by exchanging visits and getting to know each others cultures. Anyone interested in becoming a member will be most welcome. Just contact Jean Kendall at the Post Office, Vivienne Ellis at Kiln House or Vere Shuttleworth. VS.  

Family Wa lk

On 26^th June, there will be a Family Walk in aid of the Butterwick Hospice as part of the Weardale Country Fair. As many people as possible are needed with huge numbers of sponsors; the Hospice depends on donations and like many other organisations, they have suffered from a drop in income as so much support was given to the Tsunami appeal. For more details, see the local press or contact Sylvia Stoneham.  

Wolsingham Community Club

 On Wednesday May 18^th, the speaker will be Bob Bland, who will give a slide show and talk about his time in Canada .  All are welcome to the meeting which starts at 7pm in the Town Hall, Wolsingham.  Admission £1, which includes refreshments.  

Wolsingham Baptist Church

 As part of the Church Anniversary, Wolsingham Baptist Church in association with Heading West Music present Faith, Fork and Fair Trade, an acoustic café evening producing acoustic music with a spiritual twist, performed by singer/songwriter Gareth Davis Jones and Julia Hall. This takes place in the Town Hall on Saturday 7^th May at 7.00pm . Tickets will be available at £5 from John Harrison (766807).

The speakers at the Sunday services during May are: May 1^st, Rev’d Bill Taylor; May 8^th, Rev’d Gordon Prest; May 15^th, Louis Staley; May 22^nd, Joe Wilkinson and May 29^th, Steve Davis.  

Po lice Report  

Sgt Donnelly reported 8 crimes, which included two burglaries at the Comprehensive school. The public are urged to call the police with as much information as possible if they suspect any crimes are being committed, but they should not ask for specific officers, who may be on  leave or off duty at the time; the number to call is 0845 60 60 365.

Chief Inspector Goundry and Sgt Brown explained to the Parish Council the concern   the police have about motor cyclists. In 2003 there were 168 injuries and 9 fatalities (in 2004, the figures were 161 and 1 respectively) in the Durham Dales area. To try to improve road safety among motor cyclists, the police have run a “Bike Wise” initiative and there is also a Durham Advanced Motorcyclists group. The purpose of both is to get across the message that by showing respect for themselves and other road users, motorcyclists can avoid so many accidents – bikes in themselves are not dangerous, only riders make them so!

Planning Matters  

The following planning applications have been approved by Wear Valley DC :-

Take down storm damaged tree, The Leazes, Leazes Lane

        Removal of branches, 7 Demesne Court

Conversion of garages in Golden Lion Lane into a three bedroom dwelling

Reduction of height of trees, 9 Riverside .  

The following planning applications have been submitted:-

        Extension to gable, conservatory & bay window, 5 The Crofts

        Replacement of roof & windows at garage, 8 Uppertown

        Replace porch with conservatory, 3 South Bridge

        Window replacement, 19 Angate Street

        Extensive alterations and conversion, Low Harperley Farm

        Conservatory & open awning, Forfar Cottage

        New Offices, West Park Farm, Helme Park

        Replacement windows, 5 West End

        Twp storey extension & garage, 2 The Causeway

 Snippets

A proposal for a “Victorian Christmas Market” has received Paris h Council support; various permissions are needed due to the scale of the plans and a working group will be needed to make it happen.

Talks are taking place between the Council and the comprehensive school over the revival of the junior paris h council.

Plans to build a youth shelter in the Recreation Field – possibly a three sided stone structure, are being investigated.

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Tuesday May 10^th at 6.00pm . All are welcome to attend to raise any matters relating to the Paris h Council.

 Community Centre

 Anyone passing the Recreation Field will realise that construction of the new Community Centre is making good progress. Doors and windows are fitted and the roof tiling is nearly complete. Work has already started inside on heating and plumbing and by the time the magazine appears, it is expected that plastering will have begun.

The café franchise is to be advertised and some internal structural alterations have been made to facilitate the creation of a café.

Security systems are also planned with some form of lighting overlooking the car park and the play area.

The request for possible names for the centre and the recreation field has produced some suggestions already; if anyone else would like to put forward ideas, please do so quickly as time is running out.

  Paris h Plan Update

 The Parish Plan Steering Group is now in the process of organising the agreed tex t for publication. A summary will be printed for inclusion in the Town Crier in addition to the full tex t which will contain pictures, maps, survey reports and the other relevant data. The group hopes that the final Parish Plan document will be ready for a public launch in June.  

WRECASS

 On 13^th April, at a WRECASS meeting, Ken Charlton agreed to take on the role of chairman to complete the term of office that was denied to Mike Cavender. At this and a subsequent meeting, those present drew up a list of requirements needed to equip and furnish the Community Centre to meet the need of all potential user groups. Approaches will be made to various organizations to seek funding for this purpose.  

News from St. Bartholomew’s Church.

Thornley Village .

Hi Everyone

Eileen the donkey visited us in church again on Palm Sunday. What a lovely way to remind us what the day is about. She is such a quiet, contented animal & so good with the children. Pity about Malcolm’s foot, but she can’t see where she’s putting her back feet can she?!!! Good to see so many people in Church for the Easter Services.

The village green has had its spring glory and it will soon be time for the Bluebells in the Step Wood. The colour & the aroma stay with you year after year.

Don’t forget the recipe book. We’ve been given quite a few recipes, but not enough yet so, it is unlikely that the recipe book will be ready for the Summer Fayre. Keep them coming!

I know it seems along time away but can you start thinking about the Summer Fayre in June. All those unwanted Christmas & birthday gifts, bottles of wine & spirits that are standing unopened. I’m sure you know what I mean, anything suitable for the Raffle & Tombola or stall. Nearer the time of course the homemade cakes.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to our fund raising leaflets. They were only given to people in and around Thornley because we know that people elsewhere need to support their own churches. If anyone else is interested in our fund raising please get in touch and I will send you the leaflet.

The Songs of Praise will be on Sunday May 15^th at 3pm in Church. Look out for the posters. The last time we held this event it was brilliant. Everyone had a really good sing and there were some lovely stories relating to why the hymns had been chosen & of course lots of humour. Don’t miss it.

Remember:-

Holy Communion: Sundays 9:30am .

Family Service: First Sunday in month.

Bye for now.   Geraldine - 01388 730012 or 07817 174129

Celebration and Preparation at Wolsingham School and Community College

Celebration

 Anti-Bullying Award

The school has just received news of its success in achieving a nationally recognised Anti-Bullying Accreditation for its work in supporting students.  The accreditation is given to schools who have clear procedures and policies in place to deal with bullying if or when they arise.  The school has to demonstrate a collaborative approach, which involves outside agencies, staff and importantly, students.  

Shining Through School Award  

Three students – Jake Henderson, Jessica Stephenson and Rebecca Richardson received individual awards for outstanding citizenship at the Shining Through Awards on Wednesday 13 April organised by Sunderland Football Club and Wolsingham School and Community College was presented with the Best School in the County Award for its support of citizenship.  As a treat the students were treated to a VIP ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of the football ground and a presentation lunch.  The school received a Playstation as its reward.  

Bus Charter Working Group  

A new group has been established to look at promoting positive behaviour on the school buses.  The group consists of students, teachers, parents, governors and outside agencies, including Weardale Motor Services and a representative form the LEA Transport Department.  The group will be working towards achieving SafeMark status, which recognises that a school has a quality set of standards relating to safety, behaviour and transport education.  

Some projects have already been started, including the provision of CCTV cameras on 6 buses and the introduction of a ‘Travel Safe’ red Wristband, which students purchase and pledge to support safe, healthy and positive travel on school buses.  The wristband pledge project is the first of its kind in the county and country.

 Preparation  

SATs, GCSEs and A Levels  

The Year 9, Year 11 and Year 12 and 13 students are hard at work preparing for their exams.  Year 9 students will take their SATs in May, Year 11 will sit their GCSEs and Year 12 and 13 will take their A Levels in May and June.  Each cohort has been given support through booster classes after school and during the Easter holidays, access to the Internet and use of a special computer programme called SAMLearning.  The school has also identified students in Years 9 and 11 who require extra help and have provided them with mentors to provide guidance with planning, revision and examination technique.

Dear Friends,

Some people are more prone to worry than others. We cannot resist a    telephone ringing. The worst thing in life that can happen to us is to get to the telephone just as it stops ringing, then we begin to worry about it,  so we begin to ring people, asking, ‘Was that you trying to get me moment ago?’ We swap lanes in traffic jams - even though we know that there is an eternal law that the lane we have just joined will now move more slowly than the lane we have just left.                                

Jesus said, we are not to worry. Why are we not to worry? “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Jesus gives us several reasons why we should not worry.

Worry is to Miss the Point of Life

Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”  (Matthew 6:25)

Jesus tells us life is far more important than material things. So often our worries are about relatively unimportant and trivial matters, such as food, drink, clothing, houses and cars.

Worry is Illogical

Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

Worry is a Complete Waste of Time

Jesus says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27)

Sir Winston Churchill once said, ‘When I look back on all these worries, I          remember the story of the old man who said on his death bed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which never happened.’

Worry is Incompatible with Faith

Jesus says, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30)

Worry is Unnecessary

‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ (Matthew 6:33).

Worry Contradicts Common Sense

Jesus says, ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ (Matthew 6:34)

God intends us to live one day at a time. God has given us our lives in units of twenty-four hours and we should take life a day at a time

CONFIRMATION. First meeting of candidates for Confirmation will be held on Monday 4 April at 7.00pm at the Rectory Wolsingham. Anyone interested in being Confirmed this year should attend this meeting. If you are unable to make this time and date but are interested, please let me know by telephoning 527340.                                                                                                    

Unfortunately not one person who was interested in Confirmation picked it out of the Church News in Short. PLEASE IF YOU ARE  INTERESTED CONTACT ME     WITHOUT  DELAY. This year the Confirmation Service will be at Wolsingham for the whole Deanery.     Malcolm Goodall

 All the Easter services were well attended. On Palm Sunday we all enjoyed having Eileen the Donkey visit both parish churches and we are grateful to the handlers and even more so to the owners.

 Churchwardens Induction (Archdeacon’s Visitation) will be held at Wolsingham Parish Church for the whole Deanery.

The churchwardens are elected every year and are officially authorized by the Archdeacon at this special service. You are welcome to attend, and take the opportunity to meet the         Archdeacon of Auckland.

 Notice of forthcoming events

For your diary in June:-

 Garden Fete 11 June at 2.pm in the Rectory Garden with all the usual activities. More next month.  

Some people are still turning-up for Matins on the fourth Sunday - It is on the second Sunday and some people are turning-up for the Family Service on the second Sunday - It is now on the fourth Sunday!

The idea for the change was so that the Sunday School could take part in the family Service, having attended Sunday School on the third Sunday.