Christ Church, Longridge - Methodist/URC

June Ramble – Worthington Lakes

This month’s walk was in the hands of Bill, from our Bolton group. The interesting route, roughly between Wigan and Adlington, involved walking along a dismantled railway, river bank and canal and therefore provided a good, solid surface for most of the distance, which considering the weather on the day, was most welcome. We met up at the car park on Red Rock lane and immediately, the heavens opened. We stayed in our cars for about thirty minutes, until the rain eased off and we then started the walk. Leaving the car park, we joined the dismantled railway, which, as usual, made a superb footpath. Soon we passed under the aqueduct that carries the canal over the railway and continued on towards Adlington, where we left the railway and joined the banks of the River Douglas. This section was cut Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Music In The Afternoon

Music in the Afternoon (3rd Edition) At Christ Church, Longridge presents South Pennine Singers Directed by Geoff Balson  Sunday 8th July 2012 at 2.30pm Now in its 24th year, the South Pennine Singers is a chamber choir based in Burnley. Its members are mainly from the Burnley area with others from Rossendale, Pendle, Littleborough and Preston. Repertoire of the choir varies from madrigals, extracts from larger choral works, hymns, folk songs, arrangements of popular songs and songs from Musicals. The choir performs about a dozen concerts each year – some in Burnley and others much further afield – and is looking forward to performing in Longridge. Tickets on Sale soon from Geoff Balson.

By The Editor, ago

Musings from the Manse: Summer 2012

Dear Friends, As you may know, on the 5th June 2012, I will embark on what has been a long awaited trip for me. From being a small child listening to Bible stories, to being an adult training for Ministry, I’ve wanted to see if the pictures painted in my mind as I read the Scriptures, will match up to reality. However, I’m under no illusion that things won’t have changed, of course they will have. But if I’m to believe the pre-reading material suggested by our Tour Operator McCabe, and our tour leader – Rev Canon Julian Frost, my life is about to change, as I visit places associated with Jesus’ birth, life and public ministry. So that you can follow along with where I will be visiting, here is the proposed daily programme – all I would ask Read more…

By helen, ago

Music in the Afternoon

see the pictures How refreshing it was to hear some quality music performed by a group of young musicians at Christ Church on the 13th May. This was the second concert in the ‘Music in the Afternoon’ series, covering a wide span of musical styles ranging from Mozart to Miserables, with many stops on the way. These musicians – all from the Preston area – were brought together by Carol Rose who has worked with them individually over recent years. David Rose demonstrated his versatility in playing the drums and the cello (not at the same time). His ‘Swing Time’ got the proceedings off to a really rousing start. The playing of a sonata by Breval was both sensitive and had rich tonal quality. Later in the programme he performed two short cello pieces by Mary Cohen – one of Read more…

By The Editor, ago

May Ramble – Higher Walton

The walk this month was a seven mile circuit through farmland, centred on Higher Walton and incorporating a stretch of the River Douglas. Starting from Kittlingbourne Brow, we soon left the road and started a steady climb through fields, heading for the first of many farms. After the recent heavy rains, I had some misgivings about the mud levels in this part of the walk and it didn’t disappoint! The route now took us through a pleasant series of pastures, footpaths, footbridges over little streams, eventually arriving at Bank Head Lane. Having crossed the road, we now continued through similar terrain until we arrived at the Preston to Blackburn railway line. Crossing carefully, we passed through a farm and then re-crossed the railway to join a footpath which took us to Gregson Lane and on to the beautiful parkland surrounding Read more…

By The Editor, ago

April Ramble – Beacon Fell – River Brock

The walk this month embraced two of the best features of our local area, which are probably well known to everyone. Starting from the main car park at Beacon Fell on a pleasant and clear morning, we started the ascent through the forest to the trig point at the summit. Here we stopped to admire the view before starting the desent and we were greeted with a strong, cold northerly wind which stayed with us down to the lower area and the farms. After a short road section, we entered the fields again via a series of stiles and walked down a long field to a lane and a stile to connect with it. Unfortunately, the stile was in the next field, so we had to retrace our steps and return down the correct one. Sorry! We were now on Read more…

By The Editor, ago

March Ramble – Cuddy Hill

Cuddy Hill is an area north of Woodplumpton. The starting point of the walk was the Plough At Eaves, a remote pub with a long and interesting history, dating from 1625 and used as a refuge by both sides during the Battle of Preston. A century earlier, The Battle of Cuddy Hill was fought here, between the Tudors and the Scots. Starting from the pub, we walked through fields and on into a private garden. During the drive down, the weather looked distinctly gloomy, but as forecast, the clouds started to lift and as we later approached the canal, the sun made an appearance. This stretch of the Lancaster Canal was quite pleasant, with open views of the fells to the East, including Parlick. (We will return one day!). A lone Heron took off from the water, guiding us to Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Musings From The Manse: Spring 2012

Dear Friends, Being a relatively active person, it was with some dismay that I found myself having a period of ‘enforced rest’ towards the end of January. This was due to an existing problem with my knee being exacerbated by a loss of balance one morning as I stepped into the shower, and the twisting of said knee! ‘Knee’d-less to say, after a trip to A&E, I found myself with time on my hands, and inability to get about without the aid of crutches, and a new found respect and admiration for those who find getting around a challenge. It amazed me just how much I had taken my own mobility for granted. Suddenly not being able to pop upstairs for whatever I’d forgotten to bring down, became a particular sore point. And the fact that I had to totally Read more…

By helen, ago