The Editor

Children In Church

 Like most churches which don’t have their own church school, we now have very few children attending church on a Sunday morning.  The old pattern where people attended church every Sunday except the odd holiday has long since disappeared and the irregular pattern of attendance is difficult to maintain unless you have really substantial numbers.   Many churches are now attempting to provide mid-week services and activities aimed at children.   One way of doing this is through uniformed organisations but Longridge is very well endowed with such facilities and so it would seem a waste of resources to try to compete.    For some time now we have had a ‘Pram Service’ on one Wednesday morning each half term.   Children from the Barnacre Road Nursery and Reception class together with their ‘buddies’ from Class 6 form the core of the congregation together with a number of mums with their babies and recently we have also been joined by the children and staff from 2to School which meets in our own church hall.   This means we have regular contact with over 90 children under the age of 11.   This has encouraged the Church Council to explore the possibilities of developing a more frequent midweek activity.   One suggestion has been something called ‘Messy Church’  which is something like a combination of Family Service  and Junior Church with craft activities, games and even snacks participated in by parents and children together. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

July Ramble: Whitewell

This month saw our little group in the depths of the Ribble Valley, at Whitewell.  During the walk, it was suggested that I take care when writing up this report.  “Remember who owns this lot”.

bootsStarting from the church, we headed in an easterly direction, first climbing a steep banking, the hardest part of the walk.  From the top, the valley was laid out below us and what a splendid sight it was on a warm and clear day.  Then it was gently downhill, crossing a minor road and entering the next field over a stile.   Once in the field, we were met by about a dozen bullocks galloping towards us and stopping worryingly close.   What followed could have been a scene from Rawhide as your scribe drove the beasts across the field and out of our way.  One of our lady walkers said that I was her hero, for which she was rewarded with the leadership of the next walk. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

27,850….27,851….27,852

 ….that was the number of Paracetamol tablets that were taken to the Nixon Methodist Hospital in Segbwema, Sierra Leone on my latest visit.  Let me give you a little of the background.  Christ Church has had links with Sierra Leone since 2006 when I first went to help build a Skills Training Centre in Kailahun.  In conversation with Rev. Arnold Temple, the new President of the Methodist Church in Sierra Leone, he asked if it was at all possible to help with the Methodist Hospital in Segbwema only 50 miles from Kailahun and the nearest Hospital!  During the winter, plans were made and in February 12 people from around the Lancashire District of the Methodist Church, with me as leader, set off.  The team included 2 doctors, 5 nurses and 2 ministers (one of whom was Rev. Stephen Poxon- Chair of the District).  (more…)

By The Editor, ago

June Ramble: Brock Bottom

 Brock Bottom is a well known local beauty spot and a splendid starting point for this lovely and varied walk. The first part, by the riverside, is notorious for mud, so a dry spell before the walk is a must.

Starting from the car park, our little party of six, none from Bolton this time, but three from the Lancaster group, started to make our way along this pretty river, walking a good, dry path until we arrived at Walmsley Bridge. Here, we left the river and climbed up a lane, later entering fields via a footbridge and walking towards Bowman House Farm. Then it was more lane walking and on to another farm, this time Clarkson’s. Approaching the latter farm, we had to cross a large field of cows plus two young but quite intimidating bulls. I was reminded of the words of one of my neighbours, a college trained farmer. The first thing that they were taught was never to turn your back on a male animal. We didn’t! (more…)

By The Editor, ago

AGM

The Church Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday May 15th.  About 25 people attended.   Most of what was discussed will appear in various ways in the Messenger and the Church Notices in the coming weeks.

Helen gave a brief outline of her work as the minister of a joint pastorate. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

Olive Hurlstone

Olive has not been at all well in these last few months and so it is not surprising that after many years of indefatigable service to Christ Church and its predecessors (Longridge Congregational Church and Longridge United Reformed Church),  she needs to step down from most of her responsibilities.   Indeed we are extremely grateful that she has managed to continue for so long as she has certainly earned the right to an honourable retirement. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

Janet & Jim

We would like to thank all our friends at Christ Church for the wonderful send off that was arranged for us. To Helen for a most memorable service “Going on a journey.” We will never forget it.    To Pam and the catering committee for all the delicious food prepared thank you and to everybody who stayed to help eat it and offer their good wishes to us.  We had much pleasure spending the most generous cheque presented to us. We chose a blue duvet cover, pillowcases and curtains from Laura Ashley. Our bedroom looks beautiful.  Thank you to everybody for everything. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

May Ramble: Darwen Moor

If you look South from Longridge, you will see the large Winter Hill TV mast. Move your attention to the East, at the top of the next hill and you will notice the Darwen, or Jubilee, Tower. This prominent landmark was the target for this month’s walk. The tower was built to commemorate the local landowner’s decision to allow free access to his land for all.

As the Bolton group were in charge today, we had to start from a civilized starting point, Roddlesworth, with its café and toilets. (more…)

By The Editor, ago

April Ramble: Whittle-le-Woods And The Walton Summit Branch

This popular and enjoyable walk was undertaken a few years ago, so we decided it was time to re-visit the area again. Not only is this a scenic area, it is also steeped in local history largely connected to the commerce of the canal era.

First, a little bit of history. The Lancaster Canal was originally planned to link up with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which involved a large aqueduct across the Ribble. However, due to a lack of funds and the future competition from the railways, this structure was never built. The resultant link consisted of a canal spur from the L&L Canal to Walton Summit, followed by a tramway, which crossed the Ribble at Avenham Park, across the wooden bridge that still exists today and on to the canal basin at Corporation Street. This canal spur was the focus of our walk. (more…)

By The Editor, ago