Christ Church, Longridge - Methodist/URC

The October Ramble – Around Grimsargh

The object of this month’s walk was to explore some of the numerous footpaths in the area between Grimsargh and the east of Preston. Starting in the centre of Grimsargh, our group of six headed eastwards and picked up a footpath that took us along the back of the old reservoirs, now drained and reverting back to nature. Then it was along Elston Lane, which we left at a stile to join the Ribble Way. We now entered the best part of the walk, the descent into the beautiful, steep valley of Tun Brook Wood. Now the Ribble Way took us past the crematorium and on to Red Scar Wood, passing the remains of the old hall and on to a footbridge over the busy and very noisy M6 to enter Grange Park. Within the park are the remains of Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Operation Christmas Child 2009

There are many constants in this life, and one of them is that as soon as the schools have gone back, and September is in full swing – the Supermarkets begin to roll out their Christmas Stock! This means, of course, that the panic to get Christmas organised starts earlier and earlier each year, and for those of us who like a more spontaneous approach to the festive season, it’s just too much! However, there are some things which we do need to prepare for well in hand, and one of them is this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign. For some this will be a very familiar event, but for others will leave them confused as to what is going on. So here is an attempt to let you know how our 2009 campaign will happen! Now is a good Read more…

By helen, ago

“Let All The World…

…in every corner sing” – and they certainly did in this particular corner. For four hours on a hot May Sunday in Kailahun, Sierra Leone, I joined with the members of the congregation to celebrate the life of Rev Victor Nabieu. Victor was the Methodist Minister in Kailahun when I first visited Sierra Leone in 2006, and on my return in 2008 I found him a very ill man. He succumbed to his illness in March and after the traditional forty days of mourning; I was privileged to attend his Memorial Service. I was back in Kailahun to try to make some progress in the Skills Training Centre we helped start building in 2006. The first time I went, I was part of a team of sixteen from the North Lancashire District of the Methodist Church, but this time I Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The September Ramble – Around Elswick

The Fylde Plain used to be an extensive area of marshland that started to be drained in the late eighteenth century and is now regarded as one of the most fertile areas of farm land in the country. Our walk this month was centred on the pretty village of Elswick and our small group of four plus two canine firths, Clyde and Moray, met at Elswick village hall for the start of the walk. Heading north through the village, we came to Bonds Ice-cream Parlour, which we hoped to visit on the next lap. We now walked along Bonds Lane. The weather was just perfect for walking in flat country, (it doesn’t get much flatter than the Fylde), with bright, clear warm sunshine and excellent views eastward towards Longridge Fell, Parlick and Beacon Fell. Leaving the lane, we now entered Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Musings From The Manse: Autumn 2009

Dear Friends, Recently I was invited to take part in something called ‘Time and Space’, which is an accompanied reflection for Ministers, organised by the United Reformed Church. Great, I thought, another thing to add to the list of ‘things to do’!! The invitation came in early July, at about the time when I was busy preparing for two very important events – the wedding of our eldest son, Daniel, and the wedding of Susan and Ian Lawson – so I thought how nice it would be to reflect on these two ‘firsts’ as well as the many other positive aspects of ministry. Unfortunately, as I was soon to find out, life as a ‘Minister in Pastoral Charge’ is not always so gloriously happy, because in the space of the few short weeks, up to the time of me writing Read more…

By helen, ago

Ladies’ Guild

On August 17th we shall end our summer activities by having a meal at the Corporation Arms. We started with a night at the theatre in May. A beautiful sunny June evening saw us walking along the canal at Bilsborrow, followed by a meal at Owd Nells, and in July some of us enjoyed a shopping trip to Pendle Outlet Centre in Brierfield and Oswaldtwistle Mill. Now we are planning to start the 2009-2010 programme with a coffee evening in the Church Foyer on September 7th when you will be able to see the full programme of talks etc. I do hope you will support this as our funds are quite low after the purchase of the new font. The first meeting will be on September 14th – look out for the programmes in the Church foyer. We hope to Read more…

By The Editor, ago

‘A Harvest of Talents’ – 18th, 19th, 20th September

Calling all members and friends of Christ Church, Longridge! This year our Harvest Celebrations will be around the theme of ‘A Harvest of Talents’ – and this is where you come in!! At Christ Church, we have many talented people, and many forms of talents – and I’d like us to incorporate them all into a bumper weekend of celebration. Ideally this would begin by as many people as possible contributing a display or item to be displayed around the church, which represents what you are good at, or what you enjoy doing! So, come on, don’t be shy – no hiding your light under a bushel – let’s celebrate all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for at this harvest time – whatever that may be! Next, once displays (including, hopefully, some traditional harvest goods) have been Read more…

By helen, ago

The August Ramble – Savick Brook

For some time, Jim has considered a walk following this minor water course from its source at Longridge to Preston’s Haslam Park. Savick Brook eventually enters into the River Ribble and is the entry point for the Ribble Link, which connects the Lancaster Canal to the national canal network. This proposal was met with some scepticism, but turned out to be a very viable and interesting walk. The various elements of our party met at the bottom of Shay Lane and the six of us started the walk in perfect weather, first going through Shay Farm and heading across fields, pleasantly mud-free and arriving at the edge of Grimsargh. From here, we picked up Cow Hill, walking along quiet lanes until we entered the beautiful grounds of Haighton House, or “Squire Andertons Wood” as it is known locally. Once through Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Action for Children Sunday

July 12th is Action for Children Sunday (formerly known as NCH). You will find envelopes in Church, into which you can put a donation, if you wish, and return it in the next week or two. This is the children’s charity of the Methodist Church and has been running for 140 years since 1869. Each year we are reminded of those children who, for whatever reason, are neglected, abused and disadvantaged through no fault of their own. On behalf of Action for Children, I would ask you again this year, to help Christ Church, to send a worthwhile donation to this work. Our Lord himself took the opportunity to stress the need to look after children, to love and value them as part of our love for him – this can be our opportunity to do just that. Thank you Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The July Ramble

Only four ramblers turned up on a beautiful Saturday morning at Chipping Village Hall, setting off through the village turning left to Chipping Lawn Farm where sheep are milked for cheese manufacture. From here the group took the track to the north towards Park Gate, then on to a footpath to the left at Leagram Brook. The path led steadily uphill on to moorland with a scenic panorama, and then dropped down to meet a farm track and on to Lickhurst Farm. Keeping a northerly course, the ramblers crossed a brook and climbed around a hill to view the end of this valley, the Long Knots, and the target of this ramble, Dinkling Green Farm. Lunch was taken before the farm, and on walking thru’ it appeared a holiday complex was growing amongst the buildings. The return route followed a Read more…

By The Editor, ago