LOOKING BACK – The Messenger 10 Years ago

June 2011 was the last version of The Messenger which was fully printed, collated and stapled ‘in-house’ by a group of volunteer helpers. From July 2011, to save time, the magazine was commercially printed, collated and stapled, which also meant that it was possible to include good quality photographs.

Looking back at The Messenger 10 years from June 2011 :

Revd Gerwyn Capon was our Vicar, and wrote about our responsibility as Christians for environmental issues in his usual introduction to the edition. He also thanked Kathy Edwards for the time she had spent as Church Warden.

Gerwyn also reported on the completion of the recarpeting of Holy Trinity, and noted, perhaps prophetically, that the next stage of the refurbishment programme was likely to be the replacement of the roof above the St Michael Chapel. He thanked everyone who had generously donated to the recarpeting fund.

Ruth Mason provided the report from St Mark’s,  telling us about the beauty of the St Mark’s garden. The First Friday Service was a Taize Style worship on the theme ‘Christ’s Love For All Mankind’, and the Social Committee announced a Coffee Morning at the Community Centre. There was also to be a Family Barbecue at Nether Kellet Village Hall, from which St Mark’s were hoping to receive a donation towards the church window repairs.

Maree Aldren provided her usual ‘Saint of the Month’ contribution, which looked at the life of St Barnabas – which was of course the theme for our First Friday service in June 2021. The Mothers’ Union reported on the ‘Family Fun Afternoon’ when the MU entertained the two Reception classes from the school to an Easter party, and Hazel Short, as Secretary, reported that a new MU caravan, situated in Morecambe as part of the Away From It All’ scheme, had been commissioned and blessed by the Bishop of Lancaster. Enrolling Member, Pam Bentley, also reported that the Deanery Festival was to take place on June 15^th, at which Revd Gerwyn would be commissioned as the MU Tunstall Deanery Chaplain.

The WI reported on plenty of activities enjoyed by its members, including a trip to the Spring Council Meeting in Southport which was addressed by Michael Portillo. The WI’s charity for the year was to be the Village Hall, and their efforts had already raised over £1000.zn

At Holy Trinity, the Breakfast Club met on Tuesday mornings at 9.00am, and provided coffee and croissants for Parents, Carers and toddlers, and a chance for a chat before a simple act of worship at 9.45am.

Margaret Hutchinson, as Children’s Society Parish Co-ordinator, reported that a collection in memory of her aunt, Mrs Betty Burrows, a much loved, long serving Reception teacher at the school, had raised £415. As Concert Co-ordinator, Margaret also reported on the recent St George’s Concert, which she had organised at Holy Trinity, which raised over £650, and announced a forthcoming concert at Holy Trinity by The Levens Choir.

The Magazine included, as always, a 4 page insert from Christ Church URC, which featured an article from Revd Yolande Burns, the Minister at that time. Jane Ruscoe, PCC Secretary, provided an article which outlined the work of the PCC, and Pat Bradley, the Clerk to The Parish Council, contributed an article which outlined the work of the Parish Council, so that, hopefully, people would better understand the differences between the two.

Betty Cottam reported on the most recent meeting of the Trefoil Guild, where members heard a talk by Pat Ascroft about her lifetime of service to the Guiding movement.

The Village Gala was planned for Saturday 11^th June, and the Horticultural Society invited people to come and visit their stall at the Gala.

The Parish Registers reported 5 baptisms at Holy Trinity, no weddings and 2 funerals, and those departed this life whose anniversaries are listed in The Book of Remembrance for June were remembered.

And all this for a cover price of 40p!