THE BELL

Benefice of East Lonsdale Life:

December 2018 and January 2019

Leck, Melling, Tatham, Tatham Fells, Tunstall, Wray

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YOUR CHURCH STAFF

The team of clergy and lay-people who run our Services at the six churches are: Revd Mark Cannon (Vicar) Tel: 015242 21030 Email: markhcannon1@gmail.com Revd Canon Norman and Dr Ann Dawson Tel: 015242 62936 Sister Sue OCMM (Revd Canon Dr Sue Williams) Tel: 03330 119 563

Peter Osborne Tel: 015242 61029 Mary Winter Tel: 015242 21784 YOUTH WORKER Lauren Platt Tel: 07875 311 938

For further details please go to the Benefice website

‘Benefice of East Lonsdale’ http://eastlonsdalebenefice.wordpress.com

CHURCH CONTACTS

WRAY HOLY TRINITY

Judith Wrigley Ann Anderson

Tel: 015242 21120 Tel: 015242 21173

TATHAM ST JAMES THE LESS

Phyllis Holt

Tel: 015242 21443

TATHAM FELLS GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Carole Butcher John Wilson

Tel: 015242 63095 Tel: 03330 062 270

TUNSTALL ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

Sue Hunter Tel: 015242 72540

MELLING ST WILFRID

JAC Beeson Tel: 015242 21638

LECK ST PETER

Joan Withers Tel: 01539 724201

This issue has been sponsored

by a private individual

Sponsorship: if you wish to sponsor an issue as an individual, in memory of someone, or as a business

please contact Carole on 015242 63095, the cost will be £55

Copy date for the February and March 2019 edition

Saturday 12th January

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DIARY OF A LUNE VALLEY VICAR by Mark Cannon Thursday. I know Jesus was fond of the children of Old Palestine, but He didn’t have two assemblies on the bounce with the somewhat critical rug rats of the Lune Valley. Taking assemblies has taught me that teachers don’t half earn their money, and should receive medals as well. Anyway, the members of the staff disappear for a smoke behind the sheds, and I deliver a cultured and sophisticated introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity to the assembled ranks of students. Halfway into the good stuff, an urchin sticks his jammy mitt in the air and asks; ‘Can you just get to the story bit now?’ I usually mix up the religious bit with a tale of woe and hamsters, and the children want the sweet without the same savoury. Next school, same spiel; another hand goes up as I begin a short discourse on the Patristic doctrine of The Two Natures. ‘Mark?’ says the small blob at my feet, ‘can I go to the toilet now?’ I reckon the children are just being more honest than the adults. Of course we would prefer the broad and easy path, and who wouldn’t rather have an easy route through life? This Christmas, however, as always, we remember again that no matter how difficult the route ahead, it has already been walked by Jesus, and He, friend of children of every age, will lead us through.

NEWS FROM OUR CHURCHES Holy Trinity Church, Wray Looking back on the last two months, we had a very successful Harvest Festival where we were joined by the children from the school who sang for us. Thank you to everyone who decorated the church so beautifully. The Harvest Supper on the following night was also a great success with a grand auction of the produce raising funds for the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal. At the time of going to press we are preparing for our Remembrance Service. The church is always full for this as many members of the village come to remember families. A special effort is to be made to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War One. The coffee morning organised by Katherine Routledge and friends in aid of a local cancer treatment fund was a huge success. Much hard work had gone into it and the wonderful sum of £2,413.60 was raised. Well done everyone. The Youth Group for 11 to 15 year olds has started up again and is meeting in Wray Church on a fortnightly basis led by either Mary or Mark. Also, joyful Noise is now happening every Tuesday, led by parents three weeks out of four and is turning out to be a real success. Our December activities begin on 16th with a Messy Church and Christingle combined. This will begin at 4pm so our candles will be seen to full effect. Our ever popular Carols by Candlelight will be led by Mary on 17th December at 7pm with a Jacob’s Join Supper. The Village Carol Service this year is to be held in Wray Methodist Chapel on 23rd December at 6.30pm. Our Instant Nativity will be at 5.30pm on the 24th where the children dress up and act out the Christmas story. We then have our Christmas Communion Service the next day at 9.30am. Finally, on the 31st of the month we will be holding the Benefice Communion Service with The Carol Singers at 11.00am.

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Thanks go to Richard Denby who has made an excellent job of rebuilding the churchyard wall. We have had the Church open during the day since March but now it will be closed until the clocks change in the spring. There is still a key for the front door in the Post Office which can be used if required. We send best wishes from Holy Trinity to everyone for a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Ann Anderson/Judith Wrigley St John the Baptist, Tunstall The Church looked wonderful for Harvest Festival, beautiful flowers and fruit from the village ably put together by Jean; sausages and refreshments were then enjoyed by all. Nick and Hannah had a second children’s happy hour in Church and everyone who came had a fun time; look out for the next one in the New Year. We have a busy Christmas time to look forward to with the Christmas Tree Festival beginning on the 1st December and running throughout the month with refreshments being served from 2-4pm every Saturday. On the 14th December it is our village carol singing evening which will take place in Church with a bar and light refreshments; the collection will go to the homeless in Lancaster. We have the family crib service at 4pm on Christmas Eve where we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. On Christmas Day the service will be at Leck at 10am. January will bring the first of our Monday monthly afternoon sessions. This will start with rag rugging, which was a popular craft and is making a revival. I would like to thank everyone for their help and support in so many areas, organists, flower arrangers, sidespersons, cleaners, those opening and closing church, gardeners and the congregation. May I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. Sue Hunter Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells Our Harvest Service on 6th October was attended by the children and families from Tatham Fells School; the service was led by Norman and Ann. Harvest Songs of Praise followed in the evening led by Ann. On Monday 7th October Isaac Middleton and John Wilson were our very able auctioneers at our Harvest Auction in The Old School; our thanks go to both of them for making the evening so entertaining. On Saturday 10th November volunteers turned up in the Church car park for the annual leaf clearing. Tea, coffee and cake were on offer to all helpers. Our warmest thanks go to all who came and helped. Our Remembrance service on Sunday 11th November was led by Norman and Ann. It was a beautiful and moving tribute marking 100 years after the guns fell silent at the end of WW1. Our annual Christmas Fair will be held in The Old School on Saturday 1st December from 10.30am until 12 noon. Father Christmas will be there. Our school Nativity service with the children and families from Tatham Fells School will be on Sunday 2nd December at 11.00am and on Sunday 16th December our annual Carol Service and traditional readings for Christmas followed by mince pies and mulled wine etc will be at 6.30pm led by Norman and Ann. Peace and blessings for the Festive Season. Carole Butcher St Peter’s, Leck I must start by saying a huge ‘thank you’ to Fiona and her string quartet for the wonderful concert they put on in the Fraser Hall. This was an amazing evening; many

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thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of the evening. Special thanks go to the folks at the Village Stores for selling tickets for us. The magnificent sum of £1,300 was raised; more loo money! On Sunday 7th October we welcomed the extended Shuttleworth family for the baptism of Barnaby Daniel Kay-Shuttleworth. Mark led the service and Daniel was a model baby who seemed very content to be the centre of attention. We wish the family every blessing for the future. The first phase of our loo and brew project is well on the way; thanks to Andrew Makinson for the work completed so far. Recently, Janet kindly hosted a wheat bag sewing day led by her Mum-in-law so a huge ‘thank you’ to both Mrs Nuttalls and their team of helpers. Leck School Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 19th December at 6.30pm in Church and the parish Carol Service will be on Sunday 23rd December, also at 6.30pm in Church. This year we are planning to have some of the service in candlelight. The congregation will be asked to make a donation in return for a candle which will be lit in memory of a loved one at some point during the service. Please come along for some hearty singing, mince pies and mulled wine etc. Good wishes for a happy, peaceful Christmas and for 2019 Joan Withers/Ann Shuttleworth St James the Less, Low Tatham Remembrance Day was a special one this year, being a century since the ghastly events of WW1 were drawn to a close. Peter had put in much preparation, as always. It was a most impressive service attended by some 85 people; a record! To turn to more mundane affairs, our plans to prevent expensive flood damage to the wood-pellet fuelled boiler by a small extension to the vestry roof did not initially receive an enthusiastic reception from the visiting member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee. We will continue to push for permission for this idea as being the only effective solution and by no means an eyesore. The visit of Leyland Brass Band was, as expected, a great success as we are sure will be our annual Carol Service on Christmas Eve to which you will be welcomed by our new team of bell-ringers. It is hard to believe now, but Plough Sunday 2019 falls on January 13th, put the date in your diary and come and enjoy a bacon butty after this special service. May Christmas be a peaceful and happy family occasion for all of us! John Holt St Wilfrid’s, Melling In September our Harvest Festival took place, closely involving St Wilfrid’s School and donations went to the homeless shelter in Lancaster. The Strummers evening in the Institute on 6th October was well attended and the Strummers played us a wide mix of Beatles numbers in two sets with supper and a Quiz filling the interval. Children from the school took part in our Remembrance Service by presenting individual crosses each with the name of one of our fallen on it. It was all very moving forming a physical link between the past and future generations. Well over 100 people attended. Refreshments were served in the Institute after the service. Nearly £400 was raised for the Royal British Legion. At the time of going to press we are looking forward to our Christmas Fair and the various services in the build up to Christmas. JAC Beeson

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CALENDAR OF SERVICES FOR DECEMBER 2018 AND JANUARY 2019

BCP = Book of Common Prayer DECEMBER Sunday 2nd Advent Sunday

9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Tatham Mark 9.30am Morning Service Melling Norman and Ann

11.00am School Nativity Service Tatham Fells Mark 11.00am Holy Communion Tunstall Sue 2.30pm Evening Prayer (BCP) Wray Congregation

Sunday 9th Second Sunday of Advent

9.30am Holy Communion Wray Mark 9.30am Morning Service Tatham Fells Peter

11.00am Morning Service Tatham Mark 11.00am Holy Communion Leck Norman and Ann

Thursday 13th

6.30pm Village Carol Service and Christingle with Melling School

Melling

Mark

Friday 14th

7.30pm Village Carol Service Tunstall Mark

Sunday 16th Third Sunday of Advent 11.00am Holy Communion Melling Sue 11.00am Morning Service Tunstall Mark 4.00pm Messy Church and Christingle Wray Mary 6.30pm Carol Service Tatham Fells Norman and Ann

Monday 17th

7.00pm Carols by Candlelight Wray Institute Mary

Wednesday 19 6.30pm School Carol Service Leck Mark

Sunday 23rd Fourth Sunday of Advent

9.30am Holy Communion Tatham Fells Sue 11.00am Holy Communion Tatham Norman and Ann 6.30pm Wray Village Carol Service Wray Chapel 6.30pm Carol Service Leck Mark

Monday 24th Christmas Eve

4.00pm Crib Service Tunstall Mark 5.30pm Instant Nativity Wray Mark 6.30pm Crib and Carol Service Tatham Norman and Ann

11.30pm Midnight Communion Tatham Fells Norman and Ann 11.30pm Midnight Communion Melling Sue

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Tuesday 25th Christmas Day

9.30am Christmas Communion Wray Mark 10.00am Christmas Communion Leck Sue

Sunday 31st First Sunday of Christmas

11.00am Benefice Family Communion with The Carol Singers

Wray Norman, Ann and Peter

JANUARY Sunday 6th Feast of the Epiphany

9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Tatham Mark 9.30am Morning Service Melling Sue

11.00am Holy Communion Leck Sue 11.00am Morning Service Tatham Fells Mark 2.30pm Evening Prayer (BCP) Wray Congregation

Sunday 13th Second Sunday of Epiphany

9.30am Morning Service Wray Mark 11.00am Plough Sunday Service Tatham Peter 11.00am Holy Communion Tunstall Sue 2.15pm Evening Prayer (BCP) Tatham Fells Norman and Ann

Sunday 20th Third Sunday of Epiphany

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Wray Mark 9.30am Morning Service Wray Mark 9.30am Holy Communion Tatham Fells Norman and Ann

11.00am Holy Communion Melling Mark 11.00am Morning Service Leck Peter

Sunday 27th Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

9.30am Holy Communion Wray Sue 9.30am Christingle Service Tatham Fells Mark

11.00am Holy Communion Tatham Sue 11.00am Morning Service Tunstall Congregation

FROM THE REGISTERS

Baptism, Leck Barnaby Daniel Kay-Shuttleworth

AN APOLOGY FROM ST PETER’S CHURCH, LECK I would like to apologise for a misunderstanding in the last edition of The Bell. Due to unforeseen circumstances the social evening at The Fraser Hall advertised for 21st September did not happen, it took place instead on Friday 16th November. New invites went out to everyone and at the time of going to press we were looking forward to meeting residents old and new. Joan Withers

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ST JOSEPH’S HOUSE OF PRAYER, CHURCH LANE, TUNSTALL

Daily Service Times in the Bethany Chapel The sisters keep Monday as their rest day

Tuesday – Saturday 7.00am Lauds followed by Community intercessions and silent prayer 7.15am Prime 7.45am Eucharist 12.45pm Sext 5.00pm Vespers Sunday 7.00am Lauds 7.15am Prime 12.45pm Sext 5.00pm Vespers

OPEN HOUSE on the second Saturday of each month Drop in between 2pm and 4pm; Tea, coffee and cakes available

GHOST SCULPTURES OF WW1 SOLDIERS ERECTED IN CEMETERY

Over the Remembrance weekend ghostlike sculptures of soldiers who died in World War 1 were erected next to their graves in a village cemetery. The life-size figures of 11 men were placed in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist, Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Sculptor Jackie Lantelli created them out of chicken wire to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war. She said ‘the 11 sculptures represent the 11 fallen soldiers from the village and have been placed at the foot of the men’s graves.’ The sculptures were on public display from Saturday 10th November until Monday 12th November. Comments include ‘Simply the most awesome piece of artwork I have ever experienced. It floors you to silence and moves you to tears. Well done Jackie Lantelli for a stunning tribute to those who gave their lives.’

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A TRIBUTE TO ERIC BAKER

AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS ‘BIG G’, GRAMPS.

G The gravitational constant ‘G’named after Isaac Newton

Hydrogen gas collapses

under gravity in stars where

the temperature and

pressure is enough for

fusion to form heavier

elements in Stellar

Nucleosyntheses.

A brief history of the

universe, pure energy at the

Big Bang, matter condensed

out as universe cooled,

much later brains formed

and began to think …

Newton’s constant, beloved big G,

forged an elemental cascade

unleashed in cosmic symphonies.

From energy unbound, matter

made, alights thoughts in calm

complexity.

Forming the building blocks

of his descendants.

Also a play on E=mc and

Gramps’ attributes

Gramps’ head and intellect

and love of maths.

Remnants of an old fire.

A humble crown that enclosed

within, such majesty as the infinite.

Now embers draw us,

to sparks’ origin, we dance and

swirl through fading light and

behold your work in quiet Eden.

His descendants = sparks

Legacy? Brackenbottom?

Garden?

Treasure hunts,

Photo albums

The heavier elements

produced by the fire of

fusion are sometimes

referred to as the ash.

Treasured prints laid on

paper-thin crust, worlds caught in

wonderful flashes, weave time

through life and love and trust.

A mind ignites, from ash to ashes. A

universe of our dust, stardust.

Photographs and the

footprints of ancestors.

Also a play on the Christian

saying about death.

There is no way to distinguish an atom

taken from your body from one taken

from the core of a star. At some point

the universe cooled enough to develop

brains and began to contemplate its

own existence.

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JOYFUL NOISE

This weekly get-together for young parents/carers and their pre-school children in a run-away success! Come along and join in the fellowship at 9.00am each Tuesday. Mary will be there on the first Tuesday of the month. We will miss out Christmas Day and New Year’s Day!

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Wednesday December 13th

and Wednesday January 16th Come right after school and stay until 4.45pm. Please arrange for yourself or a

named adult (not Mary!) to be responsible for your child.

YOUTH GROUP 7PM-8PM IN WRAY CHURCH

11-15 YEARS OLD. BRING A FRIEND! Monday December 10th

Monday January 7th Monday January 21st

NEWS FROM TATHAM FELLS SCHOOL

In their Geography lessons Key Stage 2 Pupils at Tatham Fells School have been studying Buildings and Mapping. They visited The Church of the Good Shepherd and did sketches of the building and surrounding area. They then had a trip to Lancaster and visited the Cathedral looking at the similarities and differences of the two buildings. Both these buildings were designed by the same Lancaster firm of architects, Paley and Austin. Helen Wilkinson, Chair of Governors

Church of the Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells

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EVENTS AND INFORMATION

Good Shepherd Church

Tatham Fells

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st 10.30am-12 noon

CHRISTMAS

COFFEE MORNING in The Old School

behind the church

Cakes and Christmas food

Crafts and Jewellery

Tombola, Bran Tub and Raffle

Visit from Father Christmas

Coffee and mince pies

Admission £1 for all

Small babies FREE

CHRISTMAS CAROL EVENTS

Sunday 2nd

December

Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells

School Nativity Service

with Tatham Fells School

at 11.00am

Thursday 13th

December

St Wilfrid’s, Melling

Village Carol Service and Christingle

with Melling School at 6.30pm

Friday 14th

December

St John the Baptist, Tunstall

Village Carol Service at 7.30pm

Sunday 16th

December

Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells

Carols and Traditional Readings

for Christmas at 6.30pm

Monday 17th

December

Holy Trinity Church, Wray

Carols by candlelight in Wray Institute

at 7.00pm

Wednesday 19th

December

St Peter’s Church, Leck

Carol Service with Leck School

at 6.30pm

Sunday 23rd

December

Wray Village Carol Service

in Wray Chapel at 6.30pm

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

St John the Baptist, Tunstall

Crib Service at 4.00pm

Holy Trinity, Wray

Instant Nativity at 5.30pm

St James the Less, Low Tatham

Crib and Carol Service at 6.30pm

Good Shepherd, Tatham Fells

Midnight Communion at 11.30pm

St Wilfrid’s, Melling

Midnight Communion at 11.30pm

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

Holy Trinity, Wray

Christmas Communion at 9.30am

St John the Baptist, Tunstall

Christmas Communion at 10.00am

ST JAMES THE LESS, LOW TATHAM

FRIDAY 7TH

DECEMBER AT 7.30PM

FILM NIGHT

Professional projection and sound equipment

with big screen

popular feel-good films

Please email or phone for further information

moviesinthepews@gmail.com

Phone Sue on 07836 500 009

or Helen on 07802 499 934

FARM COMMUNITY NETWORK

A HELPLINE IS OPEN EVERY DAY

7.00AM-11.00PM

TEL: 03000 111 999

LONELY?

If you do not get out much, free transport to

and from a café or restaurant for lunch can

be provided. For further details

Tel: Jane Greenhalgh on 01524 805 844

ROTARY CLUB OF LUNESDALE

Santa’s Sleigh dates in December

Beginning each evening at 5.30pm

7th

Ingleton, 10th

Burton in Lonsdale,

11th

Caton, 12th

Brookhouse, 13th

Bentham

14th

Kirkby Lonsdale, 17th

and18th

Holme

21st Wray/Hornby, 22

nd Booths Kirkby L

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Funeral Director

James G Macdonald Tel: 015242 41293

Home: 015242 61370

Mobile: 07758 002260

TUFFET Weekly upholstery classes for all levels

Every Wednesday am or pm

at Ashleys, Tatham

New one-day workshops to make a new

footstool or bed headboard in a day

On Thursdays or Saturdays

Or commission a bespoke footstool

in any size and fabric

Contact Sue Marsden 07836 500 091

Or email sue@tuffett.co.uk

BRIDGE HOUSE FARM

TEAROOMS

Wray, Lancaster, LA2 8QP

Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am-5pm

Closed on Mondays

Sunday Roast every week

Christmas menu available in December

Reservations Tel: 01524 237775

R T Harrison & Son Traditional dry stone walling

Local business specialising in

traditional dry stone walling

and mortar stone walling

All tasks considered.

Facebook page ‘R T Harrison & Son’

No charge for an estimate

Contact: 07792 901 822

OR 015242 21494

Lune Valley Physiotherapy

Specialist experience working with

scarring and tightness from surgery,

injury and radiotherapy, and with

people who have or have had cancer.

Leah Dalby MSCP 07934 785 797

email: leahthephysio@gmail.com

www.leahthephysio.co.uk

WILLIAM TAYLOR ALL ODD JOBS UNDERTAKEN

Painting, garden clearing,

Drains cleared, Stone Walling,

Building repairs.

Mini digger hire.

Ring William on

07855 999 068 OR

015242 74233

GRAHAM FAWCETT PLANT LTD

GARDEN MACHINERY

SERVICE AND REPAIRS Free collection and delivery

within the Lune Valley

Tel: 015242 62888

email: sales@fawcettplant.co.uk Unit 3B Bentham Industrial Estate

Wenning Avenue

Bentham, Lancaster, LA2 8NB

R T Harrison

MOLE CATCHER Mole catching service, based in Wray, for

both domestic gardens and farmland.

Charges are made per mole

Price per mole depends on travelling

distance and time required for the job

Happy to discuss any job

Contact Richard Harrison

Tel: 015242 21156