COMMUNITY NEWS: Farnsfield, Rainworth and Blidworth

Methodist Church

David Pollitt led the morning service on Sunday assisted by Steve Cree. There were readings from John Foster, Margaret Tait, and Maggie Westby with Shirley Foster playing the music. Church members visited Rainworth for their evening service. The churches Spring Fayre, held on Saturday morning raised £873 raised from the stalls and refreshments with Geoff’s 5p marathon raising a further £22.

Friendship Club

On Friday week, club members planned a river cruise on the River Trent with a meal. The water was too choppy and the cruise was postponed. Everyone enjoyed an excellent meal on board. The club’s next meeting is at the Village Centre is on 23rd May and will include a Bring and buy sale.

Rainworth

Over 50s

Mr C. Dodsworth welcomed 99 members to the meeting on Tuesday week at Rainworth Miners’ Welfare. Mr C. Dodsworth was the MC for dancing and the spot waltz winners were Mrs D. Tiplady and Mrs C. Evans. Serving refreshments to the members were Mrs B. Edmondson, Mrs E. Baxter, Mrs R. Dodsworth and Mrs M. Wood. Mr D. Starr called the bingo. The competition winner was Mr K. Cooper. MC for Dominoes was Mr J. Saunders and the winners were Mr D. Starr and Mrs A Spafford. The weekly raffle was held with the prizes donated by the club (3), and Mesdames, Dodsworth, Murphy, Musson, Higgins Chamberlain, Straw, Brown, Smart, Seed, Alsebrook, Clipston, Cooper, Corden, Richardson, Simpson, Prior, Creasey, Brailsford, Jarvis, Millward, Maggio, and Knight.

St George’s RC Church

Lilly Davis, Andrew Storey, and Rachel and Jordon Boulton assisted Fr Christopher Thomas at the altar as he led mass on Saturday evening. There were readings from Janet Clayton and Isabelle Thompson and Offertory bearers were Jackie Massey, Margaret Bonsall, Brian McDonagh and John Storey. Eucharistic Ministers were Andrew Storey, Margaret Bonsall and Andrew Storey.

Methodist Church

On Tuesday, the weekly Slimming World group met with the WeightWatchers group and Rainworth Leisure Artist group meeting on Wednesday. Bible study and Fellowship was held on Thursday evening and was hosted by Judith and Mick Daykin. The Rainbow, Brownie and Guide groups met on Friday evening and on Saturday the Mansfield Society of Artist group met and the regular coffee morning was held. On Sunday morning the service was led by the Rev David Greenwood. There were readings from Judith and Mick Daykin and David, Arnold and Mick performed a dramatised sketch. The Sunday school group was supervised by Vanessa Lewin and Alan Mosley and church members were welcomed by Christine Daniel. Flowers decorating the church were donated by Len Moakes. The church hosted a section service with other local Methodist churches attending. It was taken by John Adamson and the musician for both the days’ services was Margaret Toon.

SS Simon and Jude’s

Morning Prayer services were held on Tuesday and Thursday and Thursday Holy Communion was led by the Rev Hazel Robinson. Stephanie Smart and the Marilyn Brown were in attendance at Thursdays Vestry hour. Thursday evening also saw the choir practice for Sunday’s service. The regular weekly coffee mornings took place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. On Sunday Holy Communion was led by the Rev Clare Tyack with the Rev Robinson presenting the sermon. There were readings from Jacqui Burton and Marilyn Brown also read from Gospel. Prayers were led by Marie Weallans. Gordon Foster played the music for the service accompanying the choir who sang an anthem. The theme for the service was Christian Aid and the congregation viewed a DVD and gave thought to the work of Christian Aid. Following the service the Rev Tyack and Marilyn Brown led a baptism service. Baby Alesha Inskip was well supported by family, friends and God parents.

Blidworth

Pensioners’ Club

On Monday week the meeting was opened by Mrs M. Brailsford, Mrs J. Pitt and Mrs M. Wood and Mrs K. White served the members with refreshments. Tickets were sold by Mrs J. Dodsworth and she also called the bingo. Mrs M. Cooper organised and called the quiz and the winners were Mrs J. Smith and Mrs S. Layland. Bingo winners were Mesdames T. Jukes, C. Bricknell, D. Biggs, B. Creasey, K. White, M. Prior, R. Dodsworth, M. Richards, and Mr E. Ufton. Raffle winners were Mesdames D. Biggs, M. Cooper, P. Hutton, J. Smith, C. Bricknell, T. Jukes, and Mr A . Musson. Members celebrated the birthday of Mavis Wood. Members were reminded that for their next meeting there is to be a trip to Bakewell for shopping and then a carvery meal at Moorend on the return.

St Andrew’s Church

The morning prayer services were held on Monday and Wednesday and Wednesday’s morning Communion was led by Rev Hazel Robinson. Vestry Hour is a time for when people can book weddings, ask for banns to be read, book baptisms and talk to the clergy. It is held at St Andrew’s on Wednesdays from 6-7pm and was led by Angela Penny.

Methodist Church

The Artist group met at the church on Tuesday evening and Karen O’Hara led Thursday evening’s prayer meeting. On Sunday morning, Margaret Allwood led the service which included readings were from Ann Daines, Elizabeth Crane, and Keith Wilson. Vanessa Crane played the music and Karen O’Hara supervised the Sunday school group. Irene Yapp welcomed everyone to the church with Joan Davies donating the flowers that decorated the church.

St Mary’s Church

The service on Sunday morning was led by Stephanie Smart. There were Old Testament readings from Robin Sharpe and Carol Brown read from the New Testament. Cath McCready gave a reading from the Gospel and the Rev Hazel Robinson gave the sermon. John Robinson led prayers and Gordon Foster played the music for the service.

Walking Group

David Smith and six walkers braved the rain for a three-mile walk through the woods at Blidworth Bottoms and Haywood Oaks. The walks are free for anyone interested. Participants need to be able to walk comfortably at a steady pace for a minimum of three miles. Leave a name and mobile number on 07703631816 to receive a text on Saturday for the following day’s walk.

Heritage Society

The May meeting was a great success with the best ever attendance of members and visitors present to hear Michael Clarke talk about the Pentrich uprising of 1817. During the break, refreshments were served and the audience had a chance to talk and ask questions of Michael. During the coffee break members and guests viewed another selection of photographs from the archives - one of them containing this month’s deliberate mistake - set by Eric and Sheila Hall. After the break, Alan Higgins continued the presentation of archive photographs. As usual, this was very well received by members and guests. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 3rd June, in the Function Room of Blidworth Welfare, Mansfield Road, Blidworth. The next three meetings will be:

l 3rd June - Ian Morgan - Within sight of The Gibbet.

l 1st July - Mr Stammers - The Victorian & Edwardian Seaside.

l 5th August - John Taylor - The Nine Dukes of Portland.

Meetings start at 7 pm and ample parking is available and new members are always welcome. There is normally a small charge of £2 which includes refreshments.

Anyone who has any photographs of the village and its people that can copied and added to the archive should contact the society via www.blidworthhistoricalsociety.co.uk, by emailing [email protected] or by following @BlidworthHistory via Twitter.

Halam

St Michael’s Church

Evensong on Sunday saw the Rev David McCullough lead the service which included readings from Glenys Herbert and Ann Godfrey. Music was played by Dr Alex Wells.

Edingley

St Giles’ Church

Sundays All Age Family worship had the theme of Christian Aid. The Rev David McCullough led the service and told a story about Three little pigs’. There was a reading by Ann Tyler and Roy Blackshaw played the music for the service. Afterwards the village hall was open for refreshments.

Village News

There will be a fundraising auction at the Old Schoolroom, on 7th June, all proceeds to go to the refurbishment of the Old Schoolroom. Viewing will start at 11am, with the auction at 2pm. There are a wide variety of items available, including a week’s holiday apartment in Tenerife, tractor driving lesson, an upright piano, garden stone, Annie Sloane paint workshop and many other exciting lots. Bacon and sausage cobs, teas and coffees will be available, so go along and bag a bargain! Further info and auction catalogues are available from Sally Compton (01623 883227) or Sue French (07860 690116).