Newsletter April 2018
Produced and distributed in paper form to the parish.
Chatburn Churches Together
Christ Church Chatburn and Chatburn Methodist Church
Priest-in-charge: Revd Andy Froud (01200) 423317
Mobile 0796 9576691 Email: andyfroud@gmail.com
Editor: Mr Howard Douglas (01200) 441624 hwrddgls@aol.com
Methodist Minister: Revd Ian Humphreys (01200) 443489
Hon Assistant Priest: Revd Anne Hardacre (01200) 429341
Pastoral Assistant: Mrs Ena Douglas (01200) 441624
Thought of the Month
Dear Friends
I find the history of rollercoasters fascinating. For a start, even the origin of the word is obscure, one theory has it that slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would coast. This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but the name endured. The inventors of the Roller Toboggan, a ride in a roller skating rink in Massachusetts in 1887 also claimed to have coined the phrase. A toboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor.
The Russians can justly lay claim to the original invention at Catherine the Great’s winter palaces huge mountains of snow would be built, later reinforced with wood and then sledges run down them - in many countries, rollercoasters are still called “Russian mountains” (montaña rusa)
Even more ironic is that their popularity has risen and fallen a bit like, well you know. They peaked in popularity between the late 1880’s and the Great Depression of the 1930’s and then despite the breakthroughs in technology in-between didn’t really take off until the 1970’s.
The events of Holy Week are like a great roller-coaster, starting from the triumphant entry in Jerusalem of Palm Sunday and then the arrest and Crucifixion of Jesus and finally the resurrection of Easter Sunday. As Christians this rollercoaster of what we call the Passion is what we are called to climb on board and ride along with: just like a real rollercoaster it's not something that you can’t really describe - to know it, you have to experience it,
Yours in Christ,
Andy
Christ Church, Chatburn, requires an organist to play on Sunday mornings at 11am as well as weddings and funerals as soon as possible. We have a 5-year old Allen “Protégé two manual organ. Further details and remuneration can be discussed with
Revd Andy Froud, 01200 423317 or with our churchwardens
Daphne Porter (01200 441690) or
Valerie Mewis (01200 440335).
Saturday 14th April
CHATBURN METHODIST CHURCH
AMERICANA MUSIC BONANZA
Another first for the church fund raising Ribble Valley Music Festival bringing a celebration of contemporary American roots music styles to the area that influence Americana, including the music of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers.
3.00 - 4.00 Helsby Mountain String Band - Country/Blue Grass with a twist
4.30 - 5.30 Jester B Acoustic - Male Harmony Duo followed from
5.30 - 6.30 by a low cost BBQ with succulent meat from Roy Porter Butchers
Concert tickets including both acts are £10 from Roy Porters butchers Chatburn or call the festival ticket line on 01254 384893
All proceeds go to the Methodist Church
This event is sponsored by the Duchy of Lancaster and Ribble Valley Borough Council.
Manor House News
Two 90th birthdays have been celebrated recently with the Mayoress Mrs.Marilyn Davies attending each. Retired Midwife and Nurse tutor Miss Marjorie Talbot, born in Blackburn, was one of twins and they had two older sisters. After office jobs, she trained at Preston as a General Nurse, and then as a Midwife. Once qualified, she moved to Kirby in Liverpool where, during one busy spell, 3,000 babies were delivered in 8 months! Marjorie eventually worked as a nurse tutor at Burnley until her retirement. She enjoys Church and singing with Manor House Choir.Mrs. Mabel Mather enjoyed a family party at Manor House. Mabel is also from Blackburn and has 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She worked for 40 years at Mullards and was married to Frank for 60 years. Chinese New Year of the Dog was celebrated with Chinese choices on the menu such as sweet and sour chicken and corn soup. Colourful lanterns were made by the residents during several crafts sessions.Spring should have been in the air on St. Davids Day, but instead we were all struggling with the snow. Welsh meals of leek soup, Welsh rarebit & Welsh cakes were included on the menu. Music from Welsh valley singers like Kathryn Jenkins, were enjoyed. A Welsh quiz and facts about St.David was found interesting. Daffodils were not quite a host, but were in abundance which helped to make everyone feel that Spring was just round the corner.On Mothering Sunday flowers and chocolates were enjoyed by all.Residents were delighted when opera trained soprano singer Carol Scadding performed a magnificent medley of opera pieces. She also sang songs from the 50's and 60's to which everyone could sing along to. St. Patrick's day was enjoyed with an Irish themed quiz, and puzzles. Traditional meals of potatoe and leek soup, Irish stew with Guinness and chocolate cupcakes were enjoyed. Irish cream liquor and more Guinness in the evening, listening to Irish melodies, was enjoyed.
Parish Council
A Parish Council Meeting was held in the Village Hall, Downham Road on Monday, 26 February 2018 at 7.30pm.
Present: Mr. P. Whittaker (Chairman), Mr. S. Booth, Mr. H. Douglas, Mrs. L. England and Mr. G. Scott Four members of the public were present
Apologies for absence were received from Mr. R. Porter, Mr. R. Smith and Mrs. S. Turner
Public Participation:
Matters brought to the Parish Council’s attention included the possible provision of an additional baby swing in the playground, damaged marker posts and debris in the gutter beside the cycle path and grass verge on the footpath between Smithies Bridge and the A59 turn off. LCC to be reminded that there had been no action to repair the Downham Road bridge footpath.
Borough Councillor’s Report:
a) The Borough Councillor has received numerous reports concerning dog fouling and potholes in the village.
b) Barnfield Construction will prune the trees adjacent to Ribble Lane/Victoria Court.
c) Tarmac has contacted the Parish Council with reference to the donation of land in a Transfer dated 19 October 1999. Tarmac wish to review this contract and offer two options for consideration.
(i) Either the land is transferred at the appropriate time or Tarmac keeps the land and offers a small consideration for the removal of the covenant.
(ii) Tarmac transfers the land back to Chatburn and amends the transfer date to the cessation of quarrying .
It was resolved that the Option 1 would be the most appropriate one for Chatburn and that Tarmac draw up a new covenant beginning in 2018 to be reviewed after 25 years in 2043. The terms of the new covenant to be same as the present one. Tarmac will be responsible for the payment of legal and professional fees.
Clerks Report:
In addition to the written report the clerk reported that there had been numerous complaints regarding the change in the meeting date which had caused considerable inconvenience. Councillors were requested to check meeting dates before agreeing to attend. Further to the damage to the grass verge, Openreach responded that work is sub-contracted to M.J. Quinn, Liverpool. Quinns have agreed to carry out remedial work and will ensure that there will be no further damage.
School News
The event in support of Fairtrade Fortnight called “Snack Attack” was a huge success. Children first watched a thought provoking film made by the Fairtrade Foundation about how Fairtrade footballs are made in Pakistan,
Following this the children sampled lots of delicious fresh and dried Fairtrade fruits along with nuts and seeds. Parents responded enthusiastically to our request for Fairtrade traybakes and many varieties were sampled. We have had an article and pictures of the event published in the Clitheroe Advertiser this last week.
The “Sing Together” concert was as popular as ever with both those involved and the audience. Several schools came together to perform a variety of songs at The King Georges Hall, Blackburn and it proved to be a thoroughly entertaining evening.
Year six were successful in making the final of the STEM challenge organised by Johnson Matthey. The pupils had to build a tower as tall and as strong as they could in a set time. The final was held last week at the Grand in Clitheroe and although we were not the overall winners, it was a challenging and enjoyable day. School wishes to thank All involved in giving this opportunity to the children.
This week we had a special visitor in school - a deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. She came to tell us all about her job and to explain about the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.
Class four visited the United Reform Church in Clitheroe this week to take part in an Easter Experience. Around the Church were several “stations” featuring the different events of Holy Week and the pupils visited each station where a church representative explored with them the meaning behind such events as the washing of feet, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the resurrection.
The spring Parents Evenings have been held this week in school when all parents had the chance to take a look at some of the work their child had been doing in school and an opportunity to speak to the class teacher.
On the last Friday of this term, an Easter bonnet competition was held in the school hall. Many of the children brought in fantastically decorated hats and staff in school judged winners from each class.
The class winners of our Reading Challenge who had read more than fifteen books this last term, were treated to hot chocolate and marshmallows in recognition of their dedication to reading.
The term will end on the 23rd March with an Easter Service in Church for all in school. All were welcome to attend from 1.30pm