December Parish News
ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
WOODSIDE
Services for December
SUNDAY SERVICES
3rd 10.00 Family Service
11.00 Baptism & Informal Communion
10th 8.00 Holy Communion
10.30 Morning Praise
6.00 Youth Service at East Hyde
17th 10.30 Children's Nativity
6.00 Carols by Candlelight
24th Christmas Eve
10.30 Holy Communion
4.30pm Christingle at East Hyde
11.15pm Midnight Communion
25th Christmas Day
9.15 Holy Communion
at East Hyde
10.30 Family Half hour
'Come and join the celebration,
It's a very special day;
Come and share our jubilation -
There's a new King born today!'
MIDWEEK SERVICES
Wednesdays
6th 10.30 Pram Service
20th 10.30 Pram Service
22nd 6.30 Woodside Home
Carol Service
Oyez - Oyez - Oyez
"On
Fri. 15th December, St Andrews Church, Slip End Lower School
and the New Life Christian Fellowship are joining forces to
go carol singing. It is hoped to cover the whole of the
Village. All are welcome to join us. We will be assembling at
the Lower School and intend to set off from there at 6.30pm.
All proceeds from the evening to go to the Pasque Hospice.
The evening will conclude with mulled wine and mince pies in
the courtyard of the Old Bakery in Summer Street, courtesy of
Brian and Valerie Church.
This will be an opportunity for fun and fellowship combined
with a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas."
MURIEL'S VILLAGE HALL
NEWS
Another month has passed so quickly since
my last letter about Village Hall news. Our meeting on the
13th November was full of surprises but first I must correct
a mistake that I apparently made earlier. It was Mrs
Christine Benson rather than Phillip Penman who was active in
acquiring the funds for Crawley Playing Field equipment,
gaining £2000 for their extra requirements; so thanks to
Christine.
There will be a delay in choosing what is required for the
area and it was suggested from two visitors who came from
Beds District Council that question forms be sent to the
school, to ask the children aged between 9 and 14 years old,
what would they like (which I thought was a good idea). Being
told of the age of the eligible children who will have use of
the new equipment, made me wonder what the older ones will
want, as those aged between 12 and 14 in today's world are
young ladies and men, so it will be interesting to see what
they would like brought in. (Maybe a hut to hold there get
togethers in and to escape from old fuddy-duddys like me.)
But I am really on your side, you young ones, as you live in
a tough world.
The baby changing unit has been ordered and now on its way. I
must admit that it was difficult to find one, so soon you
mums you will be able to change babies in private.
We also talked about the youngsters who take balls to the
play area next to the hall and although it might be annoying
when a child returns home to say that it is not allowed, I
feel that I should tell you why it is not practical to have a
ball in that area to avoid comments. We had received a letter
from a parent, who wrote about a child being asked to remove
a ball. If a youngster throws a ball and it loses its aim,
the ball could hit another child in the eye or on the head
and, whatever type of ball it is, it will surely sting and
maybe cause injury. That is my opinion as a member of the
committee and I think most mothers will agree. For older
children I suggest they go to the Peter Edwards for their
ball games and kick-about.
The loudspeakers and microphone have now been installed with
a loop system for those hard of hearing who use a hearing
aid; you will now hear each word clearly at any meeting. The
tape from the camera has been studied and, sadly, several
youngsters were seen climbing up onto the wall. This is
rather high and would prove dangerous; if a youngster fell,
bones are easily broken from that height so do be careful and
stay on the ground!
Our next job will be to sweep the leaves up in
the village hall car park and then onto putting up the
decorations for the festive occasion. Our next meeting is
11th December so I wonder what news I will have then: so
until then I will say goodbye.
Muriel Allsop
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Shoe boxes have now been
gathered in and we managed to collect the grand sum of 122
boxes which have now been collected by Samaritans Purse and
are waiting to take the long journey to their final
destination. It could be Romania or Yugoslavia or Bolivia or
?? but, wherever they are taken you can be sure that the
children who receive them will know that someone, somewhere
has not forgotten them this Christmas. It has been a record
year for us and people have been very kind. Last year we
collected 65 boxes so it is a great improvement. Well done to
everyone.
Here are a few photos with some of the people and the boxes
involved.
A big round of applause to everyone who has helped with the
campaign and, on Christmas Day, remember to think of the
children when they open their treasured boxes. I'm sure they
will all love them.
Sue loading the boxes from the
Church to take to the Vicarage -
Unfortunately, everyone made a quick exit that day apart from
Janet Buttery - thanks Jan!!
We have heard via the
'grapevine' that St Hugh's Church in Luton collected over 400
boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year! That's
certainly a record to aim for.
Perhaps we should start now, ready
for next year????………
Sue Cowell, Editor
……………………….
ALEY GREEN METHODIST CHURCH
Autumn Fayre
Many thanks to everyone who came to our Autumn
Fayre; it was good to see our church so full of our friends.
£562 was raised for church funds. Thanks also to Heathfield
School who gave us some of their leftover jumble for N.O.A.H.
and our church sales. Our door-to-door collection for
National Children's Homes - Action for Children raised £75;
thank you to the collectors.
Christmas
Christmas means so many things to so many people.
Cards, mince pies, music,
carols, turkey, pudding, angels, lumpy Christmas stockings,
holly, fruit cake,
garlands and gifts. But most of all, Christmas means love!
The ways in which we celebrate may differ but the spirit will
always remain - the spirit of sharing and giving, of
well-wishing and warmth. And, at its centre, a baby born in a
stable. If you would like to join us at Aley green this
Christmas, here are some December dates for your diary.
Sun.10th 3:00pm Sunday School Christmas
Concert and the Christening of Louise Isger. Afterwards tea
will be served in the school room and Father Christmas has
promised to pop in!
Mon 11th 7:30pm Our Christmas Meal: 3
courses. Adults £4, children £2.50. Tickets are from Sue on
480875
Sun 17th 11:00am Christingle Service.
Tues 19th 7:30 Candlelight Service in aid of
National Children's Homes, action for children.
You cannot reach perfection, however hard you try. There's
always one more friend you should have sent a card to!
May God's gifts of peace and love be with you this
Christmastide and into the New Year too. With all good wishes
from Ann and everyone at Aley Green Methodist Church.
Moonless darkness stands between
Past O past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem Star may lead me
To the sight of Him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord, thou art holy.
Make me meek, Lord, thou wert lowly.
Now beginning and always
Now beginning on Christmas Day!
Gerard Marley Hopkins
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
Stratford on Avon - 8th August.
48 members and friends came on this trip and
unfortunately we had heavy rain to start the day off. However
during the journey the weather brightened up. After a stop
for refreshments we arrived at twelve o'clock to a fine
drizzle. After an afternoon in Shakespeare country it was
time to return home with a stop in Thame, a quick drink or
even for some fish and chips. In spite of the weather a good
day was had by all.
Afternoon Mystery Tour & Tea
On - 26th October 46 members and friends enjoyed an
afternoon coach tour through the villages of Pegsdon,
Shillington and Campton before arriving at the Cross Keys at
Pulloxhill, where a sumptuous tea awaited. A nice afternoon
enjoyed by all.
Future Activities
Our next outing is to Milton Keynes on 23rd November to
see the Christmas decorations and to do some shopping.
Christmas Dinner will be held on 7th December,
after our meal we are being entertained by our friends, the
Tyro Dancers. To close, we are looking forward to tea and
mince pies.
Our next Club meeting is 14th December and
then we will meet fortnightly from January 14th 2001,
please see Club dates in the diary page.
Season's Greetings
Our thanks to all who have supported us during the
past year with donations, the Parish Council Grant, support
for our stalls; due to the generosity of everyone, we have
maintained our weekly meetings and five subsidised outings,
not forgetting our Christmas Dinner this month.
To conclude, all of us at the Friendship Club wish you A Very
Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Viv Porter
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
We will be holding a Christmas morning
service in the Village Hall from 10:30am to 11:30am. All are
welcome.
Alasdair Tompson (Administrator)
BROWNIES
At the recent Table Top
Sale/Craft Fair we made £85 towards our funds, thanks to
those who supported us. We still have a few places left in
Brownies, to start in the New Year interested, Contact
Gillian, Brown Owl, 01582 723109 For their Sportswomen Badge,
over the past few weeks we have been having a knock-out Bowls
contest; some of the girls are quite good! The final will be
held in a few weeks.
GARDEN ASSOCIATION
Vegetable Garden Continue to dig and trench
vacant ground, do not do this; if ground is frozen or very
wet, sterilize infected soil. From time to time during the
month you must continue to bend down leaves over curds of
broccoli as they form.
Flower & Fruit Garden
Finish fruit and shrub pruning, throughout the month
continue to cut back the late chrysanthemums as soon as they
finish flowering. General tidy of gardens, removing dead
flowers and fallen leaves, clean and repair tools before
putting away for the winter.
Nothing more to do but to get some flower and vegetable
catalogues, sit back in the warm and dry with a nice drink
perhaps and plan for next year.
SLIP END & DISTRICT
ASSOC.
Our Christmas Draw will be held on Thursday
December 14th, during our Bingo session. If you would like to
buy some tickets, these can be purchased from a Committee
member, proceeds go towards next year Senior Citizens Outing.
Gil Plummer
SLIP END PLAYGROUP
The Playgroup held a Nearly New Sale in
October, which was well attended and benefited buyers,
sellers and the playgroup. Thanks to everyone who helped us
to make the event a success. The money raised will be partly
used to fund the children's Christmas party on 12th December.
We have already booked the entertainer and put in a request
to Santa Claus to hitch up the reindeer and pay us a flying
visit on that day.
We have also been lucky enough to receive a Millennium Grant
from Beds County Council. Richard Stay came to visit us in
the Village Hall on a Friday in November to present us with
the cheque and meet the children who will benefit from the
money. Our intention is to update our arts and crafts
equipment with new paint easels, aprons, scissors and paint
rollers among other things.
We are joining with the After School
Club
to hold some stalls at the Slip End School Fayre on Saturday
9th December. We will have a children's lucky dip, small
pocket
money toys or gifts, some crafts which the After School Club
children are making, and hair braiding by one of the A.S.C.
staff.
The Autumn Term ends for us on Friday 15th December and we
re-start on Friday 5th January. If you would like to know
more about us call Alison on 450084 or Jill on 728865
Jill Acton
COUNTY GRANTS
The recipients of the Bedfordshire County
Council Millennium Fund were:
Hyde Church £1000.00 Church repairs
Slip End PTA £500.00 Swim. Pool repairs
Slip End Play Group £200.00 Equipment
Caddington Youth Cl.£500.00 Decoration
Slip End Youth FC £500.00 Football Kit
Slip End Playing Field £1000.00
- CCTV Equipment outside the Church
S.E. Scout Group £300.00 New Equipment
Willowfield Lower School £250.00
Environmental Garden
Heathfield School £500.00 IT Equipment
Collings Wells Hall £500.00 Hall repairs
Community Safety £250.00 Equipment
Slip End News £500.00 New PC
Total £6000.00
'It has been a pleasure to be able to financially assist many
local
groups within Caddington, Slip End & Hyde and I have been
pressing for
this fund to be made an annual event. £6000.00 is not a
great deal of
money, but awards of around £500.00 can make a huge
difference to small
voluntary groups. Congratulations to the twelve successful
applicants!'
Richard Stay,
County Councillor.
The Parish News would like to thank the Council for the
grant and are now looking forward to their new computer.
Hopefully, it will make the task of combining all the Parish
News entries a lot more quicker. How about a new printer and
a scanner next? (only joking)
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