Isobel's Kildwick Diary

From the Aire to the Wharfe

2011-03-29T12:39:00.008Z

We have had some beautiful Spring weather over the last few days here at Kildwick. We have had some warm sunny days and after Sunday it is good that the evenings are a little longer and I have been able to get out and do a bit of gardening. Hearing the weather forecast this lunchtime and hearing about the wet and windy weather which is forecasted I feel, with regret, that my wonderful display of daffodils will soon be taking a battering. Taking advantage of a lovely bright sunny day I went on one of my favourite walks- albeit a little further afield than Kildwick. I love the walk between Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite in Upper Wharfedale alongside the infant Wharfe. It was good to see the lambs skipping about in the fields and see the buds coming on the trees although, as one of my photograps shows, one tree along side the river had become a casualty of winter. I love this walk and looking at the remains of the lead mine remind me that at one time this valley may have been much busier than the tranquil spot it is today.

Last week's talk as part of the CDFC Lent course was really interesting. Mahmood Miah, an Imam, gave a very well presented and informative talk about Islam. I learnt so much about this faith and Mr Miah answered the many questions afterwards with sensitivity and courtesy.

This week Dr Lewis from Bradford University's Peace Studies department will be speaking and the week after Hanneke Dye a member of Bradford Hebrew Congregation will speak about Judaism.

Hope 'Springs' Eternal

2011-03-21T10:35:00.006Z

Looking at the picture below, taken at the back of Skipton Castle, not too long ago, and then referring to my diary, it seems hard to believe that this coming Sunday sees the start of British Summer Time. However Spring has sprung and when the sun shines it is cheering to see the countryside and gardens resplendent with spring flowers. The season of Lent started with a joint Ash Wednesday service at St Thomas' Sutton.
The Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches Lent Course 'Interfaith Relationships' started last Wednesday- again at Sutton. There was a very good attendence to hear a Buddhist nun speak about the Buddhist faith. It was very interesting and she seemed to radiate tranquilty and happiness- things really neeeded in this modern world. This coming week Mahmood Miah, Imam and Chaplain at HMP Holme House will be speaking about Islam. In future weeks a member of the Bradford Hebrew Congregation and a teacher of Hinduism will be talking about their faiths.
The church received bad news this weekend about the Jigsaw project in Manila. There has
been a huge fire in the Visayas slum area that Jigsaw works in and where the office is located. Hundreds are now homeless. The Jigsaw centre is working hard to provide shelter, food and emotional support. Apparently their funds are very low and so it was wonderful that Sue, Rosie and Sylvia and their helpers raised the magnificent amount, once again, of over £800.00 for the work of CMS and Jigsaw at their Valentine coffee morning.
The special collection during Lent is in support of WaterAid and collecting pots are available in church.
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church meeting is scheduled to take place after morning service on 10th April. There are so many vacancies this year- eleven to serve in various capacities- with people coming to the end of their terms of office, some having left the parish, some standing down and not offering themselves for re election and some for vacancies which have not been filled in previous years.
From 'The Bridge' monthly magazine; 'To share in the leadership of the parish is an important function and everyone is encouraged to prayerfully consider if they are being called to serve in this way'
We hope that all whose names are on the church electoral roll and as many other memers of the church community as possible will come to our Annual meetings'
Members of the congregation who have felt so cold many times, in the past during the winter months and those who have come with rugs and in some cases hot water bottles! would be pleased to read in the weekly news sheet an update regarding the church heating. Apparently work has been carried out on the present system to ensure the burner unit operates at its maximum design capacity and a thermostat has been fitted in the heating chamber and a new timer clock in the belfry to enable the fans to switch on and off automatically according to air temperature in the heating chamber. This will make the overall system more efficient than before. There are plans that, during the summer months, the fan units will be removed and serviced. The PCC are continuing their discussions with the church architect about options for a new heating system.

So seasons come and go but nothing stays still

and soon the dark days of winter will be just a memory and spring will give way to bright summer days. Henry Neele, writing in the early 1800s, wrote the following words which I really like. and find very encouraging

'Suns will set and moons will wane, yet they rise and wax again. Trees, that Winter's storms subdue, their leavy livery renew.'

Snow, Rain, Walks and Cheese!

2011-01-24T14:04:00.009Z

Taking advantage of a fine day and a clear road- the snow having melted and disappeared quite quickly and finding myself suffering from a severe deprivation of cheese- I set off to Hawes and the Wensleydale Creamery to replenish stocks. Driving north I could see that winter was certainly lurking around and having left Horton and Selside behind there was plenty of snow at the side of the road and Ingleborough and Whernside were covered.

As I travelled towards Hawes snow clouds were gathering as I looked towards the distant Buttertubs pass- that road which affords such a magnificent view of Swaledale on the other side.
If snow was lurking in the northern dales within a few days our valley bottom was just a lake-stretching from Keighley to Carleton -as heavy rain had fallen continuously and the River Aire had overflowed its banks.

Walkng over Kildwick Bridge when the waters had somewhat abated I thought what a contrast the two bridges spanning the Aire were. The old stone bridge- Grade 1 listed- dates from the 14th century and is the oldest in the Aire Valley.

Widened in 1780 the older part is fundamentally that which was built by the Canons of Bolton Priory and carried the main route for monks from Bolton Abbey across the River Aire towards Lancashire. Built of rough stone its northern arches are pointed while the two main spans are segmental. An entry in the accounts books of Bolton Abbey dated 1305 reads 'In the building of a bridge at Kildwick £21.12.9.' I wonder how that compares with the cost of the modern bridge which was built in the 1980s ,when the village of Kildwick was bypassed, and I wonder which will stand the test of time!

One or two things to report from the weekly notice sheet. Last week at Kildwick the preacher was the Reverend Michael Cowgill- it being the start of 'Christian Unity' week. This Sunday I attended another church which had held its service for 'Unity' at the end of the designated week, and it was wonderful to see this church absolutely packed. On the 30th January the service at Kildwick celebrates 'The Presentation of Christ in the Temple' and Christingles will be distributed. On the 12th February Sue, Rosie and Sylvia and helpers are holding their 'Valentine' event- proceeds for CMS and the Jigsaw project in the Phillipines. This is in the Parish Rooms and entry is free but donations will be gratefully received.

On the 9th March- Ash Wednesday- there will be an evening service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at St Thomas', Sutton in Craven and the Lent course will commence at 7.30pm on 16th March- again at St Thomas.

The Christmas collections raised the sum of £894.94 which will be shared between St George's Crypt in Leeds and 'Help the Heroes'.

'Back to it'

2011-01-07T12:30:00.004Z

After a brief lull when the temperature actually rose to a balmy 5 degrees and in serious need of some good fresh air I managed to get out for a walk at the beginning of the week. Looking down into the valley there was no sign of snow but in the distance, it being a very clear day, I could see the top of Ingleborough with its icing sugar topped summit. That should have warned me not to be too complacent for sure enough this morning I awoke to another blizzard and another covering of snow. As I write I cannot see down the valley- just a thick fog of snow, and everything is again covered in a white blanket. Apparently, so the forecasts say, it has to turn to

rain and by Sunday may be a little warmer. I
hope so- I have things to do and people to
see and walks to walk!
The weather ineveitably had an effect on the services over Christmas at St Andrew's but last Sunday, I understand, saw many people, who had been mising over Christmas, back in the pews and also one or two visitors- which is always encouraging.

On the 16th January as part of the 'Week of Prayer for Christian Unity', the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches has organised the usual 'pulpit swop'. At Kildwick The Reverend Michael Cowgill, vicar of nearby Sutton in Craven will be welcomed. Michael has always something interesting to say and usually in a down to earth and humourous fashion.

On the 30th there will be a Parish Communion with Christingles.

Looking further ahead on the 16th March the Fellowship of Churches' Lent courses begin. The venue has to be decided as the usually hosts- St Peter's Crosshills -have been the victim of burst pipes etc which have done quite a bit of damage.

The local Baptist church is celebrating its three hundreth anniversay in 2011 and various events have been planned.

It has been announced that the Right Reverend Nick Baines is our Bishop designate . He is currently Bishop of Croyden in the District of Southwark and will probably begin his ministry in Bradford in the Spring. He actually gained a degree from Bradford University, so he is familiar with the city, and he is renowned for his media expertise and is a broadcaster and writer and writes almost daily in his blog 'Musings of a restless Bishop'.

If anyone actually reads all my ramblings I thank them and wish them all the very best for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2011.

2010-12-23T14:44:00.011Z

Happy Christmas from St Andrew's Kildwick

Christmas greeting from a very snowy and cold Kildwick.

2010-12-22T15:13:00.003Z

I think that I would not be the only one to envisage last Sunday evening's Carol Service cancelled. After a very brief spell of warmer weather, when the snow went very quickly, as Saturday morning dawned there was another, quite heavy, covering of snow. One of the readers I had organised lives just under the pinnacle at Sutton and looking across the valley I could see that his track was impassable and a subsequent 'phone call confirmed this. So plan B with a substitute reader went into operation! Sunday morning saw no fresh snow and a small path had been dug and salted from the main church gate and from Kirkgate- although the car park was closed.Inside the church it was a little warmer ( not much) and it was announced that the evening service would go ahead. So it was and Sunday evening saw me donning two jumpers two fleeces four pairs of socks and walking boots and thus I arrived at church to be ready to tick off my readers.
It was estimated that around 160 people braved the elements- gone are the days when the church was absolutely packed out and people were directed to sit near the high altar and in the lady chapel. Soon the church was hearing the first strains of 'Once in Royal David's City' and the tapers were being carried round to light everybody's candles. The tableau was sadly depleted this year. Every year children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds, kings and animals but only a shepherd and a lamb joined Mary and Joseph at the front of church.
The bad weather has a knock on effect in many ways!
On Christmas Eve there will be a Crib Service at 4pm when the Posada figures are returned to the church and at 11.30pm there is a midnight Eucharist , a family Eucharist on Christmas Day and Holy Communion on Boxing Day- Stephen First Martyr.
I have had quite a few messages from people who regularly read my blog wishing the church at Kildwick all the very best at this time.
These include the church in East Leake, Rabbi Mark in New York State and Roger Smith.
I send all readers of my ramblings my very best wishes for a happy Christmas and for a happy healthy and peaceful 2011.

'Winter arrives at Kildwick'

2010-11-30T15:33:00.018Z

In common with places up and down the country winter has certainly arrived, with a vengeance, in the Kildwick area. From Saturday we have seen snow most days and last night we had blizzard conditions. As the pictures show my garden is a white carpet and I am keeping the bird feeders full- which is an ongoing task as the frequent visitors soon make short shrift of the seeds.

By the side of my bird bath there is an incongruous, for this time of year, rose- the red on its petals making a sharp contrast to the white snow.The churchyard has not escaped, although to make it easier for visitors, one or two of the paths have been cleared a little.

I could not resist taking a picture of the spider's web- isn't nature wonderful.

From the weekly notice sheet it is apparent that a busy time is approaching. Tonight, for those brave enough to risk the Arctic conditions, is the Patronal Festival service.The preacher at the this special service is Brother James Anthony of the Society of St Francis. I will be sorry to miss this service but, being on a much higher level, I am pretty much stuck in at the moment.
The schools' Christmas events start next week with Kildwick School's KS1 Christmas play in church on Wednesday 8th December and Thursday 9th December at 1.30pm in church. Monday 13th December Glusburn School will be having their Carol service in church at 6.30pm.

On Thursday 9th December the Pastoral Care Group has organised a Christmas lunch for the valued older members of the congregation. After much discussion it was decided that it would be beneficial to all concerned to hold it at St Peter's Church Hall in Crosshills- this being more central, and has a large room to accomodate people all together. As usual I am sure the ladies will rise to the challenge and mouth watering dishes will be wending their way to St Peter's. My contribution will be a trifle and playing the piano for old favourites such as Ilkley Moor, Auld Lang Syne!
At 4pm on Sunday 12th December the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches have arranged the annual Nativity Pageant in Sutton in Craven. The procession of shepherds, kings and even a donkey will make their way from North Road to the park for readings, drama and carols before all adjourning to South Craven Baptist Chapel for welcome refreshments- the donkey of course going back to its warm stable half way up Ellers Road!

Our own Carol Service- hopefully all the snow will have gone- takes place on Sunday evening 19th December at 6pm. I organise the readings for this service and hopefully I will not have to ring round those who have agreed to read at the service to inform them that it has been cancelled. Last year the weather was absolutely foul on that night and it was thought best to cancel the service because -even if anyone had dared to brave the icy weather -it was dangerous on the approach to the church. Fingers crossed for this year! As usual children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds or kings.

The usual Christmas services have been arranged- Crib Service at 4pm on Christmas Eve and later on the Midnight Eucharist and a Family Eucharist on Christmas Day.

'Hello' from Kildwick

2010-10-25T09:10:00.002Z

'Hello' from a very cold but beautiful morning at Kildwick. The early morning mist has cleared from the valley bottom and here on the top there is a cloudless blue sky and the trees, resplendent in Autumn colours, are bathed in bright sunshine. I feel so lucky to live in this beautiful area and this feeling is accentuated on reading about the plight of the people of Haiti
living with the aftermath of an earthquake of seven magnitude which devastated the country on January 12th. Our Harvest collection at St Andrew's went to the Haiti appeal and an amount of over £700 was raised. Now we hear of another deadly danger to these people- a cholera outbreak in the Artibonite region of central Haiti, north of the earthquake devastated capital Port Au Prince. We pray for all those affected and those helping them.
Nothing has been reported about the meeting with the respondents and the PCC earlier this month or with the Heating Engineer. Hopefully soon good news will be reported- it could be in the next edition of 'The Bridge' -that it was a constructive meeting and there are now plans to move forwardwith everyone being welcomed and all being prepared to listen to other views and then work from there. Many members of the congegation will be hoping also that the meeting with the heating engineer was productive and the heating system,-whether the old being repaired or plans for a new one- will soon provide a warm and welcoming environment on cold winter mornings. Yesterday it was quite cold by the end of the service but the sun shining brightly through the windows afforded a little warmth also.
Soon the 8.15 Eucharist and the Wednesday Eucharist will be taking place in the Parish Rooms.
The Parish Communion on Remembrance Sunday, 14th November, will start at the earlier time of 9.45.am and then there will be the laying of wreaths and two minutes silence in an act of remembrance at the war memorial.
Nearly every city, town and village in our country has a commemorative plaque or war memorial dedicated to those who laid down their lives in the first and second world wars and now in Skipton a young man's name appears who died in the Iraq conflict. A Canadian doctor, a lieutenant colonel John Macrae ,wrote a poem considered one of the most famous to be written during World War 1. He wrote it in May 1915 in the second week of fighting during the second Battle of Ypres- the day after he had witnessed the death of his twenty two year old friend.
'In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders' fields. Take up your quarrel with the foe;: To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If you break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders' fields.'
These poppies have become a symbol to commemorate the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in order that we may live in freedom. As we lay our wreaths at our memorials we will remember that each name was a person who loved and was loved.
Back in time Mahatma Ghandi wrote the following words-'Peace is not something that you wish for. It is something that you make, something that you do, something that you are, something that you give away'.
What a memorial that would be, honouring all those who have died in every war and conflict, if the whole world took heed of his words.
We remember all who have died trying to make the world a safer place and we pray for all those who feel sad at this time as they remember their loved ones who have died in conflict.
We remember all those to whom we owe the life and privileges we possess. For those who lived and suffered and died to give us the freedom we possess; The liberty of conscience , of speech
and of thought which we enjoy.
We remember all who have died in war- on land ,at sea and in the air. For those who have been wounded in body and in mind so that life will never be the same again.
We remember those from every age and generation who have been willing to lay down their lives for others.
We remember and pray for those who are sad because they are separated from those they love by distance or circumstance.

'A taste of things to come?'

2010-09-27T13:30:00.005Z

Walking in the grounds of Fountains Abbey at the weekend it was easy to be lured into a false feeling of security as a bright sun shone cast shadows between the trees and the abbey ruins basked in warm sunshine.

However in more exposed areas the wind was very cold and I felt quite sorry for the bride - resplendent in backless gown -and her groom having photographs taken at the side of the water garden. The holly bushes were covered in bright red berries and I recalled the old folk lore that this could be the portent of a very harsh winter. I have to keep reminding myself that summer has now passed and it is actually Autumn and soon Winter will be with us. One thing that does not stand still is time and this brings to mind the last line of a poem 'Winter Stores' by Charlotte Bronte.

But time, though viewlessly it flies and slowly will not stay. Alike, through clear and clouded skies, it cleaves its silent way'

Picking up a diocesan newsheet this week I read that already there are plans afoot for that old Christmas favourite Handel's 'Messiah' to make its appearance. A "Come and Sing" 'Messiah' with Cantores Olicanae will take place on Saturday 4th December at St Margaret's Ilkley. From our own notice sheet it is noted that the Autumn Fair will be held on Saturday 20th November in the Parish Rooms. Those who have followed the building development plans and their demise will be hoping that the arranged meeting,this coming Tuesday evening,of the Parochial Church Council and the former respondents will be productive and plans to move forward now at St Andrew's will be acceptable to all concerned. The more people invoved with the church at Kildwick- bringing wide ranging experiences and interests in all sorts of things- can only be for the good.

'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'

2010-09-13T09:29:00.004Z

'Season mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom friend of the maturing sun. Conspiring with him hot to load and bless, with fruit, the vines that round the thatch-eves run. To bend with apples the mossed cottage trees and fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.'

In the morning there is a chill, now, in the air and looking down the valley on many mornings the early mist is taking longer and longer to disperse and the robin has been seen on one or two occasions in the garden- all a reminder that summer is just about over and Autumn is on its way. I had a long walk from Kildwick last week - walking to Sutton -up on to the top and back via Cowling. Walking down the main road near Malsis under that wonderful avenue of horse chestnut trees I noticed the leaves were already turning in parts to the beautiful colours associated with Autumn and the rosehips in the hedgerows were providing very rich pickings for the birds.

So at St Andrew's events for Autumn and further on are being discussed.The first weekend in October will see the Harvest Festival celebrations. On Friday, the lst, Kildwick school will be having its collective worship in church. If previous years are anything to go by the school always responds superbly to requests for produce which will be sold at the auction after the Sunday morning service. As previously mentioned a Harvest Supper is being organised by CDFC to take place in St Peter's, Crosshills. On Sunday 3rd October a Family Communion will take place at 10am at Kildwick. Collections at the morning services and the proceeds of the auction of produce will be in support of UNICEF'S Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal.

CDFC are already thinking about the outdoor Nativity play and a planning meeting will be held at Sutton in Craven Vicarage on 14th September at 7pm. Lots of volunteers are needed for the success of this annual event and Peter Bannister from St Andrew's is involved again this year and will be happy to provide any information required.

It is good to remember all the gifts we are given, at Harvest time. Fruit and vegetables- corn which makes our bread. We remember the harvests of the sea and food that is brought to us from other lands. At this time we remember those who have not got enough to eat in many parts of the world and may we, who have much, have a generous understanding of the wants of others so that the time will come when everyone, the world over, will have food sufficient for their needs. We remember the gifts of friendship and fellowship and acts of kindness given to us by other people. We remember those we love from whom we are separated and ask that they will be protected from harm.

So as summer draws to a close and Autumn is with us words from Keat's wonderful poem 'To Autumn' just about says it all.

'Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

and touch the stubble-palms with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn among the river shallows, borne aloft or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn, hedge crickets sing; and now with treble soft the red breast whistles from a garden croft; And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.'

Bits and Bats and forthcoming events.

2010-09-03T13:07:00.002Z

The Crosshills and District fellowship of Churches has a full programme of events organised for the coming months.
The Harvest supper is going to be held at St Peter's Methodist Church in Crosshills on 1st October. A prayer day will take place at South Craven Baptist church from 10am to 3pm on October 16th.
The One World Service is the next day at St Peter's Crosshills. The speaker this year will be Father Bede from Ampleforth Abbey. There will be an ecumenical service at 6pm on Bible Sunday on October 24th at 6pm.
It will be of interest to many who have lived in the Sutton Glusburn and Crosshills areas for a long time, and can remember the church in Glusburn Institute and the old magnificent chapel in Sutton that in 2011 the Baptist Church will be celebrating its 300th anniversary.

In September's 'Bridge' magazine there was an abridged report of what was discussed at St Andrew's July's PCC meeting. Apparently the usual reports had been received and various matters concerning the ending of the Lang Kirk 21 project were discussed. It would be of interest to know exactly what was discussed in this respect but no doubt there will be a fuller report or a presentation for the whole church at some later date. The abridged report also advised that after various options had been considered-although no details were given- it had been decided to use St Andrew's church building during the winter months and the PCC had accepted that this will have financial consequences as it is anticiapted that the existing heating system will have to be used more.

A coffee morning organised by Maggie Tookey- aid worker and Farnhill resident -in aid of the Arise and Shine Orphanage- Kenyan/Ugandan border will be held on Saturday 4th September 10am- 1pm in the Parish Rooms. Maggie writes that '£1800 is needed to construct an underground rain water storage tank and she has also written a very interesting piece in 'The Bridge' about her visit- as a member of a registered International NGO- to Gaza and her meeting with six members of the Hamas Council.

The calm before the storm

2010-08-24T11:52:00.008Z

Reading this week's notice sheet brought to the fore the fact that summer is nearly over. When events like the Harvest Service and the
Harvest Supper are mentioned brings to mind
the church beautifully decorated with
chrysanthemums and drawing the curtains
against Autumn storms. Reading further on in the sheet Remembrance Sunday and Advent Sunday are mentioned. However these coming
days seemed to be in the distance as this
weekend's weather was something akin to June.

I had travelled to the east coast and enjoyed walking along the Esplanade, in brilliant sunshine- the blue skies reflected in a calm sea, with yachts making their way into the harbour.

Leaving Scarborough behind I made my way further north to walk on one of my favourite paths- actually part of the Cleveland Way- between Runswick Bay and Sandsend. As in Scarborough the weather was ideal for walking and I stopped many times to admire the view looking back towards the little village, on the water edge, at Runswick Bay.

However soon the calm and quietness of the place was shattered as a helicopter could be heard coming round the headland. It swooped down over the sea many times, hovered even longer and then finally a man was winched down,-swinging precariously over the waves- and reached terra firma on the cliff's edge. After a few moments the helicopter came ever closer and he was winched back up. Obviously this was a training exercise but it certainly accentuated to
me not to be complacent as the weather can change so quickly and danger is always lurking to catch those unaware. This time it was not for real but it could have been and it will be reassuring for all sailors and fishermen to know that there are brave men and women who are willing to risk their own lives to save others.

Lord be with those who sail the sea in ships and those who know the cost of fish in terms of human lives. Be with them when the storms are beyond their seamanship, when their skills are to no avail. Be with those who risk their own lives to come to the aid of others.
Enfold all who sail in lifeboats-those who watch on rocky shores and those fly above the waves and who are ever alert to dangers faced- in the net of Your love and bring them a safe harbour.
From the weekly notice sheet

Friday 1st October Kildwick School harvest collective worship in church
Crosshills and Distrct Fellowship of Churches Harvest Supper in St Peter's Church hall Crosshills
Sunday 3rd October
Harvest festival services.

Congratulations to Sue, Rosie, Sylvia and helpers who raised the magnificent sum of nearly £900.00 at their fund raising event for CMS last Saturday.

'A bit of this and that'

2010-08-16T09:04:00.004Z

Yesterday it was the last service The Reverend Peter will take for a while. We are very lucky that he is available when Robin is away on holiday and Peter always conducts the services in his own inimitable style- concluding yesterday a series of interesting sermons on 'Spaces and sacred spaces'. Yesterday he spoke about pilgrims in our own country first going to Wolsingham to the shrine of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Quite appropriately the last hymn was the rousing 'Through the night of doubt and sorrow, onwards goes the pilgrim band'. These words had been translated by The Reverend Sabine Baring Gould born in 1834 in Devon- a man who himself was
( Picture of Simon's Seat ) quite prepared to step out into the unknown.

Whilst curate in our West Yorkshire at Horbury he penned another 'militant' hymn- 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and met Grace Taylor a millhand. He fell in love with her and sent her away to York for elocution lessons and then married her. John Betjeman wrote of Gould;-
'What curate in an industrial parish in the North today would single out a mill girl and have her sent to a place where she could learn to speak in an educated style and then marry her'.

It is said that this story inspired Gould's friend George Bernard Shaw to write 'Pygmalion' which later was made into the well known 'My Fair Lady'.
Their marriage was very happy and they had fifteen children but it may be that Sabine Gould had very little understanding of his offspring. Once at a children's party he enquired of a little girl- " and whose little girl are you"? The child burst into tears before replyng "Daddy, I'm yours"!

Nothing much new to report from the notice sheet this week.

I noticed at the back of church there were some photographs taken of those who went to Parceval Hall at Appletreewick in July. I stayed there a few years ago and it is in an idyllic spot overlooked by those gigantic rocks known as 'Simon's Seat'. Walking in the area a couple of weeks ago I took a photograph looking towards this outcrop, which can be seen from miles away.
We are lucky to live in such a lovely area and it is hard not to think of the misery of the people of Pakistan at this time. We remembered them in our intercessions yesterday. There will be so many people who have lost everything and have become separated from those they love and feel lost and afraid.
Seeing those photographs in church and being reminded of 'Simon's Seat' brought to mind some lovely words I read recently which may be a help to anyone who is feeling, for any reason, a little down and missing someone they love.
'Each sorrow is a stepping stone you must surmount each day, and every stepping stone you climb is a sorrow that's passed away. The road of life is a mountain side, with crevices in which to be caught, but as you struggle on your way I, the Rock, will lend support.

Every stepping stone you climb, makes spirit and heart grow strong- exercising character and faith- this road seems painful and long.

The way is paved with stepping stones, to uplift your heart and soul, though difficult, they aid our way.

I know that you are tired, for I too have walked this way. My sorrows they did multiply but I cleared the stones away. I left my Rock to build you up, I left behind my story- to give you strength to make your climb.

And never fear, the Rock is here- you'll never climb alone. Surmount life's sorrows, continue on- for they are but stepping stones'.

from across the border.

2010-08-11T15:39:00.001Z

Pat writes from Waterfoot East Renfrew.

I really enjoy reading the interesting entries in your Kildwick diary.

Soup and Sandwiches and lots of other scrumptious things!

2010-08-11T15:31:00.003Z

The Pastoral Care group put on a very enjoyable event in the Parish Rooms this lunchtime.
Eight members of the congregation were invited to come for lunch.
Sandie, Marian, June and Susan had prepared an appertising lunch of soup and various mouthwatering sandwiches. Helen with her usual aplomb and skill had made all the desserts- bakewell tart, blackberry and apple pie and strawberry moose. My duties were to chauffeur one or two people from their homes and of course partake of that wonderful repast!
All the eight invited really enjoyed the lunch, it gave some of them , who had not been able to come to church for a while, an opportunity to meet up and have a chat and Joyce thanked the group on behalf of the visitors.

Favourites and requests

2010-08-08T12:04:00.003Z

For quite a few years now I have been 'stand in' organist- filling in during holidays etc and when it is known that I will be ' on my perch' I get one or two requests to play favourite music for members of the congregation. So it was today. Handel being my favourite composer I selfishly started playing, before the service, 'Largo' and, noticing that the requestee was sitting in a pew, followed on by the air 'Tom Bowling'.This nautical song composed by Charles Dibdin- an elaborate tribute to an idealized sailor-forms part of a medley of English sea songs and it is the custom to play at 'The Last Night of the Proms.' It has a haunting melody and quite suitable to play before a service I feel.
Another request I had this week was to play the tune Converse. We know that tune as the setting for William Scriven's beautiful words' What a friend we have in Jesus'. Born in 1819 in County Down Scriven had rather a sad life. The night before he was to marry his fiancee was drowned in an accident. He moved to Canada in 1846 where he met and became engaged to Eliza Roche. She also died, shortly before they were to marry and it was at this time, feeling alone and far away from his native Ireland he wrote the words, 'What a friend we have in Jesus' and sent them to his mother.
Michael Baumber preached at this morning's service- Michael,being an historian, always gives us plenty to ponder on and a lot of historical facts so I always learn something I did not know before when he is in the pulpit.
There is not much new to report from the weekly sheet but I append below one or two reminders.
Prayers for the Parish and World Church 10.00am Friday 20th August in the Parish Rooms.
Prayer, reflection and discussion combined with refreshment- finishing at 11.30am.
Contact Robin for more information.

Afternoon Teas in support of Tim and Kate Lee and CMS 2.00pm Saturday 21st August.18, Beanlands Drive, Glusburn

Sue, Rosie and Sylvia always make this event special and a warm welcome and an lovely tea can be guaranteed for anyone attending.

Finally some words that I read this week that I think are very apt in many a situation.

'coming together is a beginning,
keeping together is progress,
staying together is a success'

Thank you to the many people who have contacted me and said they enjoy my 'blogging' and thanks to Richard for setting everything up for me.

From the weekly notice sheet

2010-07-25T17:27:00.002Z

Kildwick Church/School/Institute Grand Summer Fair.

A wonderful total of £3607.64 was raised. The church will receive £1443.

Foundation Governor of Kildwick CE Primary School

After eight years Eleanor has stepped down from this vital role. Sincere thanks are expressed to her for the dedication she has shown to this position. The PCC has approved the nomination of Elizabeth Green as the new Foundation Governor.

Update following the end of the Lang Kirk 21 project

The update given on the 27th June, in church, reported the initial response from the Bishop to a request that he set up an independent review of the judicial process concerning the faculty petition. The Bishop had said that he was seeking advice before responding to the request. The Bishop has since written to say that he has 'no ability to instigate a formal review'. Given this statement the PCC has agreed to seek its own further legal advice about other possible courses of action.

and finally

A quote from Hans King which seems very apt for everybody at this time.

No peace among the nations without peace among the religions.
No peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions.

'A blast from the past'

2010-07-24T10:43:00.007Z

In the last few weeks I have visited a couple of churches which, like our own St Andrew's, are steeped in history.

I have long wanted to attend a service in St Mary's church, perched on top of the cliff-in the shadow of Whitby Abbey- for a long time and whilst working in the area recently achieved my goal. It was quite a thrill to be told that people who attended a service were allowed to climb the stairs and sit in the gallery- and so I did. The service was one of Matins and soon the old familiar words were coming back to me. Outside it was a beautiful morning and from where I was sitting- through a small window opposite- I could see a yacht slowing passing on a calm sea, a cloudless blue sky reflected. It was wonderful to sit in the very seats where generations of sea faring folk would have sat down the ages. All around the church are memorials to these brave people who risked their lives to save others and to bring home the fruits of the sea.

I discovered another church in the area quite by chance. I had visited Robin Hood's Bay and had climbed the steep ascent out of the village when I saw a sign 'Church Open' and, never one to pass a chance like that, entered the church yard of the Old Church of St Stephen. This church is likened to an ancient mariner looking out to sea and stands sentinel high above Robin Hood's Bay with wonderful views looking back to Boggle Hole and Ravenscar. The walk between Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay I had done the day before and if you are in the area it is a walk to be recommended. However I was not lucky enough to attend a service in this church for it does not have a congregation or hold regular services anymore and is managed by the Churches Conservation trust. This church, which replaced an older building pulled down in 1821, was itself replaced in 1870 by a new church lower down the hill in Robin Hood's Bay. Entering the church, as at Whitby, is like stepping back in time with the ancient box pews, a three decker pulpit situated in the middle which neccesitates some pews not to face east or the altar.

Two churches steeped in history- one still very much alive and vibrant- the other, although it is good to be able to see how things were in the past- more of a museum and who knows what would have happened if that conservation trust had not taken it on.

I hope that at Kildwick we will be able to find a solution to many of the problems that being custodians of such an ancient building bring and that we too like Whitby will be able to welcome visitors to a church, still open and worshipping and serving the community, for many years to come.

A few reminders from the notice sheet.

2010-07-14T11:43:00.002Z

18th July- Praise in the Park. Favourite hymns and some readings in Sutton Park. A fine warm and sunny afternoon is requested!
19th July- Kildwick school leavers' assembly in church. We wish those who are moving on to 'pastures new' all the very best.
21st August- Fund raising event- afternoon tea with stalls- in aid of CMS at 18 Beanlands Drive, Crosshills.
23rd August to 26th August- Holiday Club. Help is being requested for this event which takes place Monday to Thursday.

From the weekly notice sheet.

2010-06-20T14:19:00.003Z

Update following the end of the 'Lang Kirk 21' project.

The sermon slot at the 10am Parish Communion next Sunday, 27th June, will take the form of a short statement about the PCC's response to the resolution passed by the APCM and there will be a time for open discussion. A written statement will be available to take away.

Prayer before worship

All are encouraged to arrive for services in time to spend at least a few minutes in prayerful preparation for worship. All are welcome to gather in the Currer chapel at 9.45am for prayer in preparation for the 10am service.

Tea and Scones

Tea and scones are served in the Parish rooms on Sunday afternoons and the church is open for visitors.

From the weekly notice sheet

2010-06-15T07:43:00.002Z

Summer Fair- Just two weeks to go before the joint Kildwick Church/School/Institute Grand Summer Fair. This will take place, weather permitting on the church lawn between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 26th June. There will be the usual stalls- tombola, bottle, cake ,book and toys. There will be entertainment by a jazz band and tea and scones will be served in the Parish Rooms.
Organisation seems to be on track all that is required is a lovely bright sunny day!

The Garden of Remembrance-Robin has asked for help with grass cutting in the Garden of Remembrance. He writes;
'Can you spare an hour occasionally to mow the grass? ( A mower is available)'
Contact Robin for more information.

Update following the end of Lang Kirk 21 project.-The sermon slot at the 10am Parish Communion on Sunday 17th June will take the form of a short statement about the PCC response to the resolution passed by the Annual Parochial Meeting and a time for open discussion. A written statement for those who are unable to be present will be available to take away.

Fundraising afternoon teas in support of Tim and Kate Lee and the Church Missionary Society- Afternoon teas will be served from 2pm on Saturday 21st August at 18 Beanlands Drive Crosshills. More details from Sue Hargreaves.
The afternoon teas are highly recommended- Sue, Rosie and Sylvia work so hard to make this annual event a success and their sandwiches, scones and cakes are absolutely delicious.

1642, 2010 and a walk by the river called 'The Jordan of England'

2010-06-13T16:34:00.019Z

Last Sunday evening I went to a church where there was a service which was quite different from the one which had taken place at Kildwick in the morning. I attended a service of Evensong using the form of service which would have been used in the early 19th century. The hymns, it was known, had all been sung in that church in those times. 'Glory to Thee my God this Night'- sung 22nd July 1855, 'Ye servant of the Lord each in his office wait'- sung 24th July 1859 and to end the service, 'Songs of praise the angels sang' -sung 24th July 1842. Because most of the service is sung, there was an abundance of music composed specifically for Evensong, including settings of the prayers and the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.
It was a joy to hear the organ accompany a professional choir singing Psalm 146 and for a short time be transported back to when the office of Evensong, established by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, would bring every Sunday to a conclusion.
At Kildwick I have been told that something entirely different took place. It was 'Environmental Sunday' and a 'liquid' type of worship concentrated on our world. Various stations around the church could be visited- all having an environmental theme.
However if I missed the service at Kildwick last week, yesterday I certainly had a chance to appreciate the beauty of our world when I went on one of my very favourite walks. Accompanied by my daughter and her fiancee I drove up to Muker in Upper Swaledale.

Every year at some time I love to walk from there to Keld. It is a delightful walk at anytime of the year, last year I walked the route in Spring time when the primroses were a massive yellow carpet and new born lambs were very much in evidence. Now in June the meadows have not yet been cut and the wild flowers there are just spectacular- the yellow of the buttercups, the blues of the speedwell and bluebells, the purple of the clover and white of the daisies made a rainbow like carpet to walk through. We walked along side the River Swale to Keld, stopping in that small hamlet to admire the waterfalls and eat our very welcome sandwiches before we left the riverside. It is thought that more Christians were baptised in the Swale than anywhere else in this country- Bishop Paulinus bringing Christianity to the area so long ago. Then we made our way back to Muker,climbing up Kisdon which afforded wonderful views of the dale. We followed the old corpse way of olden times when bodies were carried for burial to the only church then- Grinton. It was a lovely day- we marvelled at the beauty of the countryside and I was also very pleased when my daughter said that we had climbed Kisdon in a shorter time than we had done last year! After a welcome cup of tea at the excellent tea rooms back in Muker, basking in the warm afternoon sunshine at an outside table, I felt I could do it all again!

From the weekly notice sheet.

2010-05-30T11:28:00.002Z

After last weekend's heat wave this week's weather has perhaps been more akin to winter and so it may not be too soon to be thinking about planning for the winter months!
In the weekly notice sheet it states that a meeting has been arranged to take place on 30th June at 7.30pm at Sutton vicarage when the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches' Christmas Nativity Pageant will be the topic of discussion. A new coordinator for the planning group is needed and there are lots of other jobs to do to ensure this important outreach event is another success.
Another CDFC event -when fine and warm weather is certainly required- is the 'Praise in the Park' service. This annual event is held in Sutton Park and this year is on 18th July at 3pm. Silsden Town Band will be playing the music for the hymn singing. I presume that, if the weather is inclement, the service will be held in Crosshills Baptist Church- as it has been in other years when it has rained!

What is this life if full of care?

2010-05-29T11:34:00.003Z

Walking on the top roads, locally, gives a wonderful view of the Aire Valley as it sweeps round from the direction of Skipton to Crosshills, Steeton and beyond. One morning this week, taking advantage of slightly cooler weather, I had a circular walk from Kildwick, up to the top of the Brow, down to Cononley-crossing the railway line- and back along the canal bank. Making a detour via Glusburn Park- surely this must be the park with the most wonderful view in all of Yorkshire- I sat for a while admiring the vista. From that vantage point I could see the busy main road and wondered why traffic was building up and what was the reason so many cars were turning round in the road and making their way back to the turning which would lead them up the main street of Farnhill to join to road again further along. Soon all became clear, the vibrant colours of a Romany caraven pulled by a piebald horse, another tied on the back, came into view. At this time of the year this is a familiar sight and later that evening, walking to see a friend in Glusburn, I saw that, on a piece of grass just off the roundabout at Kildwick, four of these caravans had set up camp- their horses unfastened- but hobbled- resting and chewing.
Of course all these caravans will eventually arrive up at Appleby in Cumbria- which is their destination -to the horse fair there in early June. This is one of the best known horse fairs in the country and has existed for trading in those animals since 1685.

From my seat, high above the valley, I could watch the progress of both cars and caravan and it was interesting to note that the caravan reached the turn off to Farnhill just before the three cars who had had to negogiate that narrow village street and as the caravan wended its way towards Skipton they still had to make the hazardous attempt to rejoin the original line of cars at the notorious Cononley Lane End!

W.H Davies- born 1871- who was known as 'the tramp poet' and who had spent six years intermittently working and begging his way across North America, in the opening lines of his poem 'Leisure' perhaps gives us food for thought.

'What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.'

In between emails, texts, phone calls, dashing between appointments it is easy to think that we haven't and in the last lines of that poem I think I understand what Davues- born 1871- meant. The cars by turning round and rushing back to the roundabout, driving under the culvert and up Main Street had gained absolutely nothing. Who knows, the drivers may have been on their way to something absolutely vital and important and under the same circumstances I may have been tempted to do the same. However I was thankful that for a short while I was able to 'Stop and stare' and I confirm that I did feel better for it!

'A poor life this if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.'

The Bluebells.

2010-05-17T13:08:00.002Z

I have received an email from someone who lives in Crosshills and who walked on the canal bank to see the bluebells.
'The bluebells are wonderful this year. To see the sun shining through the trees on to them was really nice. I think I timed my walk just right- by the end of this week it could be that the blue will be fading. Thanks for telling me about them'-Chris.

From the weekly notice sheet

2010-05-16T14:23:00.002Z

There will be a walk of witness for Pentecost organised by the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches next Sunday May 23rd. All are invited to meet at Crosshills Co-op to walk along Holme Lane to Sutton Park. There will be a short service of readings and prayers.
Next Saturday evening- May 22nd- there will be a Christian Aid quiz at St Peter's Church Crosshills starting at 6.30pm
Later in the year, on July 18th , CDFC are holding a service of praise , again in Sutton Park, with music being led by Silsden Town Band.

' Not a room- but a bridge and a seat with a view'

2010-05-15T10:29:00.009Z

When restoration work was being carried out at St Andrew's, in 1901, remain of several portions of pre-Norman crosses were found built in the Chancel wall. Their design is Scandinavian of the late 9th and early 10th century so, although the earliest proof of a church at Kildwick is from the Domesday Day survey of 1086, its seems possible to believe in the existence of an earlier church.

This week I had to make a very quick visit up to Durham but when I am in that beautiful city I always find time to visit the cathedral and when I was there yesterday I thought about the similarities between there and our church at Kildwick. The cathedral - building began in 1093, to replace the 10th century 'White church', and completed within forty years- is a masterpiece of Norman architecture and was built as a place of worship to house the shrine of St Cuthbert.

Both our own St Andrew's and Durham Cathedral are situated near rivers, the cathedral being built on a peninsula of land created by a loop in the River Wear. There are quite a few bridges that span the river in Durham and, as I took a photograph from one of them, the words of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the American novelist and one time United States consul in Liverpool, came into my mind. Writing of Durham in his 'English Notebooks' he said:-

' I paused upon the bridge and admired and wondered at the beauty and glory of the scene. It was grand, venerable and sweet all at once.'

I heartily agree and have thought the same sitting on the seat, given for use in the churchyard by a faithful member of St Andrew's in memory of his wife, looking towards our own River Aire and up towards Earls Crag and the two towers and with Ravenstones and the white house, high above Sutton, standing sentinel over the valley.

'What a view!'

2010-05-13T14:23:00.003Z

This morning's walk took me in the vicinity of Stone Gappe in Lothersdale. In a previous post I indicated that it could have been when Charlotte Bronte was staying in Lothersdale that she visited St Andrew's. It was at Stone Gappe that she was governess, for six months, to the Sidgwick family. She was not very happy there- on her own account she was 'very unkindly treated with oceans of needlework, yards of cambric to hem, muslin nightcaps to make and - I do sympathise with her in this respect- dolls to dress.' However the family's version of events were that they found her a prickly kind of person to have in the house. My walk gave me a view of the front of the house and so, if Charlotte had sat at one of the many windows whilst doing her needlework, she would have looked across to the very spot where I was.
It was a lovely morning with a bright blue sky but the cold wind belied the fact that we are in the second week of May. It is a nice area to walk in and I made it circular- walking up Old Carr Head Lane, joining the Pennine Way for a short while, dropping down into Lothersdale, before meandering through fields, and, after passing through a very very narrow stile ( which made me perhaps regret the sandwiches I had just eaten ) I made my way back to my starting point on the road to Cowling Hill.

R.I.P.

2010-05-12T12:22:00.003Z

This morning I have attended the funeral of an old family friend who had connections with Kildwick Grange. Eric Whiteoak was born eighty one years ago at Hainsworth House Farm . When he was sixteen his father died and the family had to leave the farm. It was then that he became a friend of my extended family. He came to work on our family's farm in Crosshills and we all liked him very much. He worked very hard but HE was always cheerful and happy, with a lovely smile. Some years later he was able to return to the farm up at the Grange and after marrying Doreen brought up his family, Gillian, Pauline and Harry, there. After thirty years the family moved to a bigger farm over at Kettlesing nr Harrogate and it was in the nearby village church of Birstwith that the funeral was held.
The farming community was very well represented and many people from Kildwick, Farnhill and Silsden Moor attended.
The first hymn 'All things Bright and Beautiful' was very fitting, for Eric had spent his whole life working close to nature and on the land and the wonderful strains of 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended' brought to a conclusion the funeral service of someone who was clearly loved by his large family and respected by all others present.

Halcyon Days

2010-05-11T16:33:00.002Z

A resident of Farnhill has emailed me to say that in the wood, where the bluebells are, the kingfisher has been seen from time to time.

'The Bluebells of Farnhill'

2010-05-09T14:37:00.010Z

Taking advantage of a nice sunny day yesterday, even if the cold wind made one wonder if it was actually May, having been cooped up with writing and correspondence, I had a very pleasant walk. Climbing on to Farnhill moor I stopped to admire the panoramic view taking in all the local villages. I remembered that at one time Sundays, long gone, would see residents of these villages making there way to Kildwick for the service as, until churches were built in Victorian times in places such as Sutton in Craven and Lothersdale, St Andrew's Kildwick was the only church building. The earliest proof of a church at Kildwick is from an entry in the Domesday survey of 1086 and possible buildings of wattle and daub and wood have been replaced by one of stone- which during the centuries has been altered and restored. There is such a good view of the local villages from the heights of the moor and I could see the villages of Cononley and Bradley, Crosshills Glusburn, Cowling, Sutton, Eastburn and Steeton- all villages which would at one time be connected with the church at Kildwick. Continuing on my walk over the moor I was brought back into the present century by a wind turbine just over the hill near Bradley. Walking down the road I passed Bradley church and made my way over fields to the canal. At this time of year it is a walk that I recommend to anyone. The hedgerows are coming into their own and between Bradley and Kildwick, in the wood, the bluebells make a spectacular blue carpet.

The next walk I have promised myself is on the opposite side of the valley and I intend to walk on Earl's crag between Sutton Tower and Cowling Pinnacle which will afford me another spectacular view- taking in all the villages from a different angle and even being able to see, Pendle Hill, Ingleborough and beyond in the distance.

Christian Aid Week

2010-05-09T11:33:00.002Z

This week is Christian Aid Week- a week of fundraising ,action and prayer. A week- from May 9th to 15th- when communities get together all over the country to raise funds to make real and lasting changes in the lives of some of the world's poorest people.
Exciting events have taken place or will be doing so all over great Britian this week. Here are some details of just a few stretching the length and breadth of Great Britian:-
'A High Street of Coins' in Banchory near Aberdeen, 'Make a Splash' in Truro- activities for all ages focussing on water- outside Truro Cathedral, A sponsored walk through the beautiful countryside ,with its stunning views, of the Brecon Beacons,. A quiz night- with a' bangers and mash supper' in Ramsgate, 'Impact Cafe' for chat, eat and talks about the work of Christian Aid in Gateshead. Nearer to home there will be a chairty concert in Scarborough Library concert hall with entertainment which includes 'The Singing Vicars' and choirs from the local primary schools. Anyone familiar with the area on the Fylde coast near Fairhaven Lake will have seen the impressive' White Church' on the corner, leading into Lytham. The folks there are holding a lunch and away on the east coast there is a sponsored walk, there and back, across the Humber Bridge.
So plenty of variety with lots of fun ,I should imagine. Unfortunately at St Andrew's there is no parish Christian Aid representative and so packs of envelopes, to be delivered and then collected, to households in the parish ,have not been able to be prepared. However envelopes are available in church for anyone to take if they are willing to carry out any collecting anywhere in the neighbourhood. Envelopes should then be returned to church by the end of May. This afternoon in the Parish Rooms tea and scones will be served by the 'Jets' young people's group and the proceeds from this event will go to Christian Aid.

Isobel's Page May.

2010-05-01T15:19:00.003Z

Except for two months in 1994 I have written an article in the monthly magazine produced by the church since 1989.
I share the piece I wrote and which has appeared in May's 'The Bridge'.

Last month I wrote about Frederick Douglass, a former slave, who devoted his life to the abolition movement. Recently I heard a well known piece of music, we know it as 'Jeriusalem' and this reminded me that the words we sing as a hymn to the tune were written by someone who also abhorred slavery. William Blake, born 1757, wrote a poem that centre on a love that transends race.
'When I from black and he from white cloud free and round the tent of God like lambs we joy, I'll shade him from the heat 'til he can bear to lean in joy upon our Father's knee'
Those words portray the skin, either black or white, as only a cloud and all are welcome to share the love of God. 'Jerusalem' was a preface to Blake's epic 'Milton- A poem' and was not very well known during the century following its writing but was published in a patriotic anthology of verse during the First World War. When the high number of casualties was being reported it was hoped that the words would raise morale. Quite a few famous musicians have connection with it. Hubert Parry was the first to put the words to music, the score was conducted by his student, Walford Davies, and the most famous version was orchestrated by Sir Edward Elgar in 1922 for a large orchestra at the Leeds Festival.
The words, 'dark satanic mills' -which entered the English Language from this poem- could possibly refer to the early Industrial revolution- the effects of which Blake is known to have hated. 'And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's mountains green?' In those well known words Blake alluded to the legend that Jesus may have travelled to Britain, when still a boy, accompanying his relative, Joseph of Arimathea, who was an importer of metals and went to Cornwall to engage in the tin trade. In his book 'Did Jesus come to Britain?' Glyn Lewis, after studying locations that Jesus is said to have visited, produces evidence and makes a convincing case for Him indeed having'walked upon England's mountains green.' On Radio 4's 'The World at One,' recently, a Church of Scotland minister said that coming that distance over the seas was not really so far in those days. The Romans, arriving here round about the same time, had found it quite easy and it is plausible that Jesus did come to England.
Walking through some fields on a Spring day, seeing lambs basking in the sunshine- some more adventurous and lively- running in packs with their friends- and observing a shepherd gently carrying a new born lamb in his arms reminded me of another poem Blake wrote,'The Lamb.'
I think this a a very symbloc poem and the picture of the lamb feeding by the stream and 'o-er the mead' is a beautiful one and echoes similar descriptions in the psalms and the parables of Jesus. Pastoral scenes like the one I witnessed when out walking accentuate to me just how lucky I am to live in this area, for some people, living in large cities, will never have seen sheep with their shepherds and all they know of them could be from the creations in literature- like Hardy's Gabriel Oake in 'Far From the Madding Crowd', the shepherds in Aesop's fable 'The Panther and the Shepherds' or the hardy shepherds of our own Yorkshire Dales depicted so often in the books of James Herriot.
Possibly the most descriptive images painted in the Gospels are those of Jesus as the Good Shepherd- concerned as a shepherd for the welfare and care of His flock.Palestinian shepherds, in those days, shared in the hardships and dangers of the flock, constantly alert to dangers of attack. The sheepfolds were circular with walls ten feet high with a single opening serving as a door. Several flocks would go in and one shepherd would lie across the opening. There were flocks in there belonging to different shepherds and sometimes they would become intermingled and mixed up. However, when the shepherd called his own flock, they recognised his voice and followed him. He then lead them from the front, seeking out a safe path, leading them to food,water and shelter and the sheep followed because they trusted him.
A few years ago a sheep was born in Edinburgh. Popularly known as Dolly she was actually called 6LL3 and had been cloned by scientists by the process of nuclear transfer and technically had no name, just a number. Jesus tells us that we are more than just a number. He knows each one of us- He knows each one of us by name- and calls to each of us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows our individual weaknesses and failings, notes our doubts, fears, trials, conflicts which disturb our peace and watches over us with love, sympathy and understanding.
Just as lambs feature strongly in the writings of Blake there are numerous hymns that have been written about Jesus the Shepherd. I have two favourites, both quite modern- the first written by John Wimber, keyboard player, producer and manager with the Righteous Brothers, who put into words and music his deep love of Jesus.

O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spririt and His Love.....
O give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your years of pain and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.... Jesus O Jesus come and fill your lambs, come and fill Your lambs.

The second is by Stuart Townened and both are just a selection from many based on a theme of the Twenty Third Psalm.

The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want,
He makes me lie in pastures green,
He leads my by the still, still waters, His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone, and I will trust in You alone,
For your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home.

News from the weekly newsheet

2010-05-01T15:00:00.002Z

Last Sunday there was the annual church meeting where officers are elected to serve in various capacities.
Since my resignation as warden, early 2009 and Barry not seeking re election , in 2009 the church has had no wardens at all since the last annual meeting. No one came forward to stand last year.
However this year there was one person nominated and duly elected as churchwarden- Lesley Hudson- with one vacancy as churchwarden being carried.
There were no nominations for Deanery Synod reps. -so these two vacancies are carried.
There were four people elected to serve on the PCC June Whitaker and Helen Hulley who have served before for three years and two new members Stephen Westcott and Marie Stinson.
The following continue as PCC members Lesley Bannister, Brenda Brock, Kevin Feather, Libba Utley, Sandie Walton. Christine Anderton and Kathryn Morris will be the PCC's representatives at The Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches.
Eleanor Eastwood has stood down. She has been the representative at CDFC for many years.
She also serves as a Foundation Governor at Kildwick School.
Although I was not present at the meeting I have heard that there were many questions asked
and it was quite a long meeting.
Apparently this week from Monday to Wednesday there is going to be a 'Church spring clean and Churchyard tidy up.' I hope the willing band of helpers have fine weather and I look forward to seeing the results of their sterling efforts.

What's in a name?

2010-04-23T10:55:00.004Z

It was interesting to read in this week's publication of 'The Craven Herald' the article regarding Charlotte Bronte and 'Stone Gappe' in Lothersdale. Charlotte lived there for a very short time whilst a governess to the Sidgwick family's children. It may be that she visited Kildwick church with the family- they were related to the residents of Kildwick Hall-and she may have seen the many plaques in the church and the sundial outside the east door which bear the name 'Currer'. Did she draw on her memory when she chose the pseudonym Currer Bell?
A couple of years ago we had a church walk from Glusburn to Lothersdale and back via Cowling Hill. This afforded us a wonderful view of Stone Gappe and it is a walk I have undertaken many times since then and it has never lost its enjoyment.

Time for reading once again!

2010-04-20T14:59:00.003Z

This coming ,Sunday 25th April ,after the morning service there will be the Annual Parish Meeting -when churchwardens are appointed -and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
The report booklet was available from last Sunday and included in it are various reports about the activities going on at St Andrew's and of course the annual financial report and names of those who undertake differing duties.
It is quite a task to compile this booklet - with all the resulting photcopying and stapling. I compiled the first one under a new format and I can remember I seemed to eat and breathe it for weeks before the finished product was ready for distribution.. Relinquishing these duties a couple of years ago thanks are extended, by me, to the team who have collated this latest one for 2010.
In the evening there is the annual service of remembrance for departed family and friends.
It does not seem ,to me, twelve months since these annual events took place last but there again it does not seem fifteen months since I finished as warden!

Message from Hull

2010-04-16T20:16:00.002Z

You must be quite disappointed that the plans for the redevelopment of the church have now ended. Don't despair- what will be will be and what is not meant to be does not happen.
You have a beautiful church with a faithful congregation and God moves in mysterious ways.
JO.

Rivalry between counties?

2010-04-14T21:00:00.003Z

Nicholas has send a message from Shincliffe:-

I am glad you have heeded the message from anonymous suggesting literature, nature etc etc.

The countryside in the last piece looks as beautiful as County Durham!

A little detour from Kildwick

2010-04-11T15:53:00.006Z

This morning I was 'standing in 'as organist at morning service ( that's quite an oxymoron as I have never mastered the art of not sitting down when playing the organ!) and the words of the last hymn I played brought to mind an lovely day I spent, last Friday, walking in the Dales with my daughter. It was a beautiful day and although the sun was quite warm we could still see snow high up on the hills- in nooks and crannies it had not reached.

Walking between Kettlewell and Starbotton and then walking back over the top to Kettlewell we saw nature and creation at its best. The lambs were certainly enjoying the sunshine- some basking in it, others, more adventurous , running in packs with their friends.

Along the river bank spring flowers and 'pussy willow' were just coming to their best.

The last hymn at morning service was 'To God be the Glory' written by, American, Mrs Frances van Alstyne in the 19th century. She had been blind from being a very small child when a ignorant application of a mustard poultice had been administered for a minor eye complaint, when she was just six weeks old.She is quoted as saying that being blind was quite wonderful as the first face she would ever see would be the face of Christ.

So Friday was a good day- it accentuated that God has really done great things.

Thinking of the beauty of the countryside and the happy day spent with my daughter I think also of the sadness of the people of Poland and those in this country who have connections there.

I pray that God will be with them all and may they know His loving presence when they feel sad and desolate.

Interesting!

2010-04-08T21:23:00.001Z

Ian writes from Truro:-
'Keep on blogging- it's very interesting!'

Thanks Ian for the encouragement

A message from friends.

2010-04-08T15:30:00.002Z

Gill writes from Dewsbury Minster

'That's brave and faithful'.

Thank you Gill for sending that message. It was so good to come over to the Minster two ( or is it three?) years ago and see the wonderful things you were achieving.
My friend attended the Val Wiseman Jazz concert you held to commemorate Patrick Bronte coming to Dewsbury, and reported how enjoyable it was - it would have been so good to arrange something similar at Kildwick. I have spoken with Val Wiseman and she knows the Bronte connection at St Andrew's. Who knows- she may have been willing to sing in North Yorkshire sometime!

Successful detective work thanks to the blog!

2010-04-06T11:45:00.002Z

I was so glad that I have carried on with my blog- albeit under a different name.
Yesterday I received an email from someone who was trying to get in touch with Manorlands Hospice, Crosshills support group. They had not got a contact name or telephone number and putting Manorlands, Crosshills support group into Google resulted in my blog appearing. For two years I had been asked to organise a cake stall- the ladies of St Andrew's rising admirably to the challenge- at the support group's Yorkshire day event and had written about it on my blog.
After a few enquiries and looking back in records I was able to give the reader a contact name and telephone number.
He said that I would make a good detective- I said I am certain I would not as I wouldn't like the gory bits!

Easter at Kildwick

2010-04-04T17:14:00.005Z

Holy week at Kildwick started with Palm Sunday and a procession from the canal bridge into the church. Everyone would have received a palm cross and the usual hymns would have been sung.

Palm Sunday and Jesus' entry into Jerusalem always brings to my mind G.K. Chesterton's delightful poem 'The Donkey'.

......Some moment when the moon was blood, then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry and ears like erant wings......

Starve, scourge deride me- I am dumb,.............I keep my secret still.Fools!

For I also had my hour, one far fierce hour and sweet,

There was a shout about my ears and palms before my feet.

There were Stations of the Cross on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday and Eucharist of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday. I was travelling to Giggleswick on Thursday and passed through all kinds of atrocious weather- snow, hail and rain but just as if to accentuate the promise of Easter Day away in the distance over Pendle Hill shone the most beautiful of rainbows.

On Good Friday about fifteen people walked from Kildwick to Crosshills and St Peter's gates in a procession of witness. South Craven Baptist Church and St Thomas' Sutton members joined in a short service of about ten minutes.

On Good Friday evening I attended a moving service at St Peter's Crosshills led by the Reverend Charlotte Common and the Reverend David Warrington.

Saturday evening saw a service of Easter Liturgy and today started with the sunrise service at Farnhill Pinnacle. I did intend to get up and walk over the top to the pinnacle but I had had a long walk yesterday and the best laid plans of mice and men etc....................

I did of course make it for the 10am service. The cross was standing bare on the chancel steps but within ten minutes of the service starting it had been transformed into a mass of beautiful flowers.

Walking home back on the top road the sun was shining, the lambs were skipping about and the view down the valley was glorious. In one field a shepherd was gently carrying a newly born lamb in his arms which made me think how privileged I am to be able to walk home through the countryside and witness the start of new beginnings such as this. A lovely end to Easter day

News from the Kildwick area

2010-04-04T14:46:00.002Z

Alan writes:-

Brilliant! It would be such a shame to let the blog fold completely. A new start with a new name- keep up the blogging!

Easter Greetings.

2010-04-03T19:13:00.001Z

Pat Brown writes from Nottinghamshire:-

'Happy Easter to all at St. Andrew's Church, Kildwick from here at St Mary's- East Leake. We wish you well for whatever the future holds'

'A new start with a new name'

2010-03-31T21:59:00.002Z

It has been decided that, as the project, Lang Kirk 21, is no more, there must be a clear break with previous Lang Kirk 21 items and I have been advised that my blog link has been removed from the church's website. It was felt that it was important that there is a visible shift from the old to the new to help people acknowledge what has happened. However I feel that it is equally important that I keep links with people who have read my blog and who have been so very supportive of the project, and thus the church, in so many ways. Many people from near and far have always been interested in what is going on at St Andrew's and so I will continue to keep up to date with happenings at Kildwick with my own personal blog, which is called 'Isobel's Kildwick Diary'.
I am very grateful to my mentor for thinking of a new, appropriate name and sorting everything out for me electronically!

The sermon of Sunday 21st March 2010

2010-03-28T22:37:00.002Z

The Reverend Robin Figg's sermon of Sunday 21st March 2010, when it was announced that the faculty application for the development of the church building had been withdrawn, can be read by going on the church's website. www.kildwick.org.uk

The end of a dream

2010-03-24T11:31:00.002Z

After an announcement had been made to the congregation at morning service last Sunday the following has appeared on the church's website

22/3/2010
Kildwick Church Cancels Building Development project

The project to provide new community facilities at St Andrew's Church Kildwick has been cancelled due the expensive legal process and the difficulty of raising extensive funds.
The church's Parochial Church Council made the decision to withdraw the plans in the best interests of the congregation and the ongoing mission and ministry of the local church.
Plans were first submitted in early 2007 which aimed to provide facilities including disabled access, flexible worship and meeting spaces, efficient heating and lavatory and kitchen facilities.
The hope was that the building could then be used more by church and community based organisations thus providing both an attractive comfortable venue for social events and worship and a source of income to contribute to the maintenance of the grade 1 listed building.
These proposals gained the approval of the national amenity societies as well as Craven District Council and Bradford Diocesan Advisory Committee. However, following formal objections lodged by eleven local residents, the application for a faculty ( church planning permission) was forced to go before the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Bradford. In October 2008
His Honour Judge John Walford, Chancellor of the diocese, who had been asked to adjudicate on the changes, decided that he could not at that time rule on specific elements of the plans due to the 'exceptional economic climate'. He wanted to ensure that sufficient funds would be available and would therefore give the church and its supporters until the end of 2010 to raise funds before declaring his final ruling.
Although the October 2008 ruling provided approval in principle for the plans it soon emerged that potential donors were unwilling to commit funds until specific approval was given. This had the effect of restricting fundraising to donations from the congegation and local fundraising events until permission for the changes was given.
In respect of the Chancellor's concerns an amended scheme was submitted in July 2009 which was a much smaller subset of the scheme originally proposed. It was designed to be implemented in indiscreet phases as funds became available and sought to address the concerns of those in the community who believed the original were too extensive.
The decision to cancel the project ,and allow a period to reflect and concentrate on the mission and ministry of the church ,was taken after Judge Walford directed in February this year that a further round of representations on the amended scheme should be made by the national amenity societies and those who continue to formally oppose the plans.
Speaking on behalf of the Parochial Church Council The Reverend Robin Figg, Vicar of St Andrew's, said " The Council's decision to cancel the plans was extremely difficult, but it was unanimous and took into account the effect of the continuing legal and economic uncertainty. This environment makes it unrealistic to continue with a project which has already been running for six years and had the prospect of continuing for several more. We have decided that the time has come to call a halt and give time to concentrate on our mission and ministry".
The Parochial Church Council now intend to await a review by the diocese of the current stock of its church buildings to provide more guidance as to an alternative way forward .
In its present form and without the increased usage and income that the development would have provided St Andrew's is too large and expensive for the size of congregation supporting it

UPDATE FROM THE VICAR

2009-11-15T14:04:00.002Z

The Reverend Robin Figg writes in the weekly news sheet :-

Lang Kirk 21 Project

You will recall that we submitted revised plans to the Chancellor at the end of July for his consideration. We have asked for guidance about the timetable that is now in place to provide a judgement ,only to be told that the matter is entirely one to be determined by the Chancellor. The fact that there is no further news is of increasing concern to us. Please continue to pray for all involved with our project.

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-19T23:15:00.002Z

Our Christmas services start this Sunday 21st December with the carols by candlelight service at 6pm. On Wednesday 24th there is a crib service for children when the travelling cribs will come back to church, This is at 4pm. Midnight Communion starts at 11.30pm on Christmas Eveand on Christmas day there is a Family Communion service at 10.am.
Everybody will be very welcome at any of the services.

A very Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2009.

Lang Kirk 21 - The Judgement

2008-10-18T18:07:00.002Z

This week we received the Judgement of Judge John Walford regarding our faculty application for the reordering of the church building.
We are very pleased to say that Judge Walford agrees that there is need for a major reordering.
There are many things now to sort out and consider and I append a press release which will go out this week and which explains things in a little more detail.

Kildwick Church Project Focusing on the Future

The project to provide new community facilities at St Andrew's Church in Kildwick has been given a provisional green light by the Diocese of Bradford Chancellor.

His Honour Judge John Walford, who had been asked to adjudicate on the plans aiming to provide facilities including disabled access, flexible worship and meeting spaces, efficient heating, sound and lighting systems and lavatory and kitchen facilities, said that he was prepared to grant a faculty for a "major reordering of St Andrew's". However the Chancellor decided he could not, at the moment, rule on specific elements of the plans due to the "turbulent economic climate." He wants to ensure that sufficient funding will be available for the reordering and would therefore give the church and its supporters until the end of 2010 to raise enough money to enable the project to proceed. He will then deliver his final ruling on the details of the Lang Kirk 21 project.

Judge Walford acknowledged that the plans had been the product of a lot of "time, thought and hard work" and had evolved over several years. He noted that there was "substantial local support as well as the support of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, the Council for the Care of Churches, English Heritage, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Victorian Society and Craven District Council". He acknowledged there had been "considerabele objection" to the plans made by a number of people about the removal of the church's pews and the suggestion that toilets and a kitchen should be provided in the main body of the church.

Judge Walford described the Lang Kirk 21 plans as imaginative and ambitious and said: "I am satisfied that there is a need for some reordering of the church. Change and development and improvement have been features of the history of this building just as they have been for other such buildings of similar age".

Speaking of behalf of the church community the Vicar of St Andrew's, the Reverend Robin Figg, said: "We are very relieved that the long wait for the judgement is over and that the Chancellor has approved the principle of our Lang Kirk 21 project. We have always agreed that it is important to raise sufficient money before works can begin and we are thankful that we can now move towards a major fundraising process. In the present economic climate we are aware that raising substantial sums will not be easy, but we believe that it is our responsibility, as the present generation of Christians here at St Andrew's, to do all that we can to ensure the survival of our beautiful building. So many equally beautiful churches have fallen into disuse because they have been unable to adapt: it would be tragic to see St Andrew's follow the same path".

"We understand the objections relating to the removal of the pews, however these are not deemed to be of historical value by authoritative agencies including English Heritage and the Victorian Society".

"Our understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act leads us to believe that objections to providing toilet facilities in the body of the church do not take into account the pressing need to be inclusive and accessible in what we will offer to the whole community."

The Parochial Church Council will continue to work closely with the church's architect, Mr Nick Rank of Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams of Manchester, and with community development consultants Jackson Quigg Associates Ltd of Hipperholme. Mr Rank has extensive experience of church work, including work at Carlisle and Lincoln Cathedrals. Jackson Quigg Associates Ltd has been involved in many community projects including the recently completed £4.5 million Cornerstone Project at Cottingley near Bingley, for which they raised over £2m.

In the steps of Andrew Young and a 'comer in's view of Yorkshire'

2008-09-30T10:26:00.005Z

Last Saturday a very enjoyable evening was had by all who attended the tea and lecture.
Ian Emberson and his wife Catherine enthralled the audience with the story of how Ian came to live in Yorkshire and we heard stories from his career as music librarian in Huddersfield Central Library. It was fascinating to hear about the people he had met and also about the music of that part of Yorkshire. Ian is a writer, poet and illustrator and Catherine read excerpts from his poems and from his book- which is a very good read- 'Yorkshire Landscapes'.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that Ian writes such good poetry ,as he was baptised by the poet Andrew Young ,and I asked Ian if Mr Young had recited 'The Strong Shouldered Mole' or something similar to him over the font. Ian could not remember!
Man people commented that they had really enjoyed the evening and were sorry when Ian sat down after giving what was a really good insight into many interesting things.
The next lecture is in November and will be given by the author Tamar Yellin. Watch this space for more details.

The Brass Band Concert.

2008-09-07T11:48:00.002Z

The brass band concert given by United Cooperative Brass Band was a huge success. Outside the storm raged but inside over one hundred people enjoyed varied music from the band. Under their new conductor Simon Kerwin they played skilfully with great gusto and it was good to see so many young people taking part.
The evening raised over £600.00 and I thank most sincerely the sponsors of the evening, the firm who donated the wine and the various local firms and individuals who gave us some really good raffle prizes.Of course no evening is a success without an audience and thanks go also to the people who braved the atrocious weather- I had great difficulty getting home and had to make a long detour to avoid a flooded road, and of course our gratitude goes to the United Coop Band who once again entertained us magnificently.
Our next fund raising event is on 20th September and is a lecture given by a friend of mine Ian Emberson. Ian has great talents as a writer, poet and illustrator and the lecture promises to be very entertaining. If any one would like to come to the tea I am putting on, in the Parish Rooms, before the lecture, there is still time to put names down. £6.00 for the tea and lecture and £5. for the lecture only. For any further information contact me 01535 653997

The United Coop. Brass Band

2008-08-27T16:51:00.002Z

Don't forget the concert to be given by the United Cooperative Brass Band on Saturday September 6th at 7.30pm in church. This will be the third year that the band have played at Kildwick and it promises to be another good evening of music-with soloists and pieces specially arranged for the band with titles such as 'Slaughter on 10th Avenue',' Kumbaya' and Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Since the band were last at St Andrew's they have had a varied programme of events ranging from competitons to concerts and radio broadcasts and they frequently appear on Sky T V, BBC T V , Channel Four and French Racing Television. In 2008 they appointed a new musical director Simon Kerwin. Simon was raised in brass band country in North West England and has developed his musical career to become a globally recognised performer, conductor, competition adjudicator and composition arranger.
Tickets, which can be bought at the door, are £6 which will include refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you there!

From Television to St Andrew's

2008-08-01T19:09:00.003Z

Although 2009 seems a long way away a notable date for anyone's diary follows.
On May 16th 'Amabile' a girls' choir, who featured in the programme' Last Choir Standing' on television will be performing at Kildwick. The choir won the BBC Radio 3 Youth Choir of the Year at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff in 2006 and they have a wide ranging repertoire of both sacred and secular music.
Charlotte Jackson,their musical director, studied at the Royal College of Music and then at the
Guildhall School of Music. A soprano soloist herself she has given many recitals and has sung with numerous choral societies and orchestras -most notably the London Festival Orchestra.
Frances Chiasson, the choir's accompanist, holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia where she studied piano and choral conducting.
After hearing the choir performing I know that we are in for a wonderful evening when the choir comes next year to St Andrew's.

serdecznie witamy Sebastiana,ktory przybyl z Katowic w Polsce, aby uswietnic nam dzisiejszy wieczor

2008-07-21T11:05:00.002Z

The above title appeared on the programme at last Saturday evening's concert as a short welcoming comment to address Sebastian who was giving the organ recital. Another comment on the programme was thanks to our Polish friends for supporting the event.
'Dziekujemy naszym polskim przyjaciolom za ich obecnosc i udzial w dzisiejszym koncercie.'
I thank Helena for advising me on the wording and apologise if I have not been entirely accurate!
The sentiments however are most sincere.
What a wonderful evening we had on Saturday. Sebastian is a musician of supreme ability and each one present marvelled at his talents. The music was superb and who can forget the marvellous rendition of Bach's 'Toccata and Fugue'- which we were lucky enough to hear again at the end of morning service yesterday when Sebastian again, after attending service, climbed onto the organ stool. It was wonderful to hear the Polish dances and to hear the differing sounds that Sebastian was to bring out, including the drums, of our old organ!
We thank him most sincerely for giving us a truly wonderful evening, one which will be talked about for a long time to come and we were pleased also to raise nearly £200.00 for church funds.
We hope Sebastian and Renata , his wife, and their daughter enjoy their short stay in the village and return home safely to their friends and family in Poland.

from Katowice to Kildwick

2008-07-18T13:28:00.002Z

Tomorrow evening the sounds of wonderful organ music will resound round St Andrew's. Sebastian Matya from Katowice in Poland will be giving an organ recital.
Sebastian graduated from secondary music school and then studied theory of music, organ music and harpsichord in the Academy of Music in Katowice. He has given concerts in Poland the Czech Republic Germany Netherlands France Switzerland and Italy. He plays with various orchestras as the organist and harpsichord player and works as the lecturer in The Institute of Theology in Bielsko Biala.
Having printed the programme and listened to Sebastian practising on our organ I can assure you that the evening will be very enjoyable and everyone is very welcome.
The recital starts at 7pm -admission £5 which includes refreshments-I must dash the cakes are nearly ready to come of the oven-and we look forward to welcoming you.

Events for September and beyond

2008-07-07T23:17:00.002Z

The first event in September, proceeds for the Lang Kirk 21 appeal, will be on Saturday 6th September at 7.30pm when the United Co-op Brass Band will be making a welcome return visit to Kildwick.
On Saturday 20th September at 7.pm there will be light hearted lecture given by Ian Emberson of Todmorden. This will be very entertaining as Ian will have much to tell us in his capacity as a poet, author,musician and painter. The lecture will be preceded by a tea in the Parish Rooms at 5pm. Tickets are required in advance for the tea.
Later on in November on the 15th Tamar Yellin will be giving a lecture entitled 'The Genizah at the House of Shepher'
Ms Yellin, author of the Ribelow Prize 2006, the Sami Rohr Proize 2007 and short listed for the Wingate prize 2006 and whose writings are described as 'stunning' will speak about her book 'The Genizah at the House of Shepher 'which has been described as 'a deeply enthralling narrative of epic spiritual proportions'. The book is based on true events within her family in Jerusalem and is also a thriller about a missing biblical codex and the search for the true text of the Bible and along the way a love story.
All are welcome at any of the arranged events and further information can be obtained from Isobel 01535 653997

From Freddie Mercury to the Lost Chord with plenty in between

2008-06-18T05:55:00.002Z

The concert at St Andrew's, in aid of Lang Kirk 21, held on Sunday afternoon was a great success.
Many people from the local area and Huddersfield enjoyed the singing of Gledholt Male Voice Choir.The programme was very varied with the usual well known,beautiful hymn tunes-Blaewaern, LLanfair and Morte Christe, old favourties such as 'The Lost Chord' and' The Fishermen of England '-to something to bring us more up to date- 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by 'Queen'. We were entertained on the organ by the accompaniest to the choir J S B- not Johann Sebastian but John S Bailey!
An enjoyable afternoon was had by all present- the weather was also kind to us- which always makes things a little easier -and we hope that the choir will make a return visit in the not too distant future.
Next event is is the organ recital. More details in another post.

Forthcoming events at St Andrew's

2008-06-14T08:39:00.002Z

Tomorrow we will be welcoming Gledholt Male Voice Choir at 2.30pm in church. Tickets can be bought at the door and refreshments are included in the price of £6.
We are very grateful to Messrs Turner -Solicitors, Crosshills, who have sponsored this event.

The next event is planned for 19th July at 7.pm. when an organ recital will be given by Sebastin Matyja from Katowice in Poland. Sebastin is visiting friends in Farnhill and we are very grateful to Sebastin for giving of his time and talent to entertain us in this way.

On the 6th September the United Co-operative Brass Band will be making a welcome return to Kildwick. We have had concerts given by them in 2006 and 2007 and having enjoyed their performances in previous years we know it will be a good evening.

Also in September ,on the 20th ,Ian Emberson of Todmorden, a writer ,poet, musician and artist will be giving a light hearted talk. Ian is a retired music librarian and the talk promises to be both amusing and interesting. There will be a tea ( to be pre booked) in the Parish Rooms preceding this talk. Tickets for the tea can be obtained from me on 01535 653997.

Going further on towards the end of the year, we are very fortunate to have an prize winning author, coming to St Andrew's, who will speak about the story behind her latest book 'The Genizah at the House of Shepher'
Tamar Yellin, winner of the Ribelow Prize 2006, the Sami Ruhr Prize 2007 and short listed for the Wingate prize 2006 ,will be giving a lecture on Saturday November 15th. Her wrtings are described as 'stunning' and the book as ' a deeply enthralling narrative of epic spiritual proportions.' The Genizah at the House of Shepher' is a saga based on true events within Ms Yellin's family in Jerusalem and also a thriller about a missing biblical codex and the search for the true text of the Bible and, along the way, a love story.
I have heard Ms Yellin speak before and she is very interesting and articulate and a good evening can be guaranteed.

Anyone would be very welcome at any of these events and if further information is required please ring me, Isobel, on 01535653997.

All proceeds from all of them will go to the 'Lang Kirk 21' fund, for the development of the church building.

A concert given by Gledholt Male Voice Choir.

2008-06-12T22:54:00.002Z

This coming Sunday, 15th June, St Andrew's is hosting a concert, proceeds in aid of the Lang Kirk 21 appeal, to be given by the Gledholt Male Voice Choir. The concert starts at 2.30pm and tickets can be purchased at the door or from Isobel Stirk 01535 653997- price £6. to include refreshments.
The choir, one of the leading choirs in Huddersfield ,is celebrating sixty years of music making
and there is a varied programme. With music from the shows- Bohemian Rhapsody- hymns - Blaenwern, Morte Christe -and sacred music- Angels Watching over me- it promises to be a very good afternoon.
Everyone will be very welcome at the concert and also at the choral evensong which follows on at 6pm

Building Development Project- The Latest News.

2008-06-10T23:28:00.003Z

The judicial process continues. As previously reported the Petitioners( those seeking the faculty for permission to reorder the church building) submitted their initial representations at the end of February. In mid April the Respondents( those opposing the faculty application) submitted their representations. On 19th May the Petitioners submitted their response to the Respondents' submission.
We all now wait for the Diocesan Chancellor, His Honour Judge John Walford, to read and consider all the evidence submitted and deliver his judgment. Given that the Chancellor's work is primarily as a District Judge in the North-East Circuit and his availability to deal with diocesan matters is dependent on his Circuit case load, it may be some time before we do receive his judgment on our faculty application.
As we wait we offer our prayers for the Chancellor as he does his work and comes to consider our case.
We also continue to pray for all those involved with our Lang Kirk 21 project, praying for wisdom, humility and grace at all times.

Busy Times, Beautiful Surroundings, Fun and Fellowship

2008-05-21T10:14:00.003Z

It has been a very busy time again at St Andrew's with a visit from Bishop Colin Buchanan, our Annual General Meetings, special celebrations at Pentecost, the Annual Service for Departed Family and Friends and a special service, in which we were joined by members of the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches, at the start of Chrisitian Aid week. The serving of tea and scones with the church open on Sunday afternoons has now begun and we have welcomed many people - walkers, people from boats on the canal and visitors from further afield and our very faithful regulars who call in for a cup of tea and a scone and with whom we chat with great pleasure.

This last weekend seventeen people from St Andrew's made a welcome return visit to Rydal Hall in the Lake District. We arrived in time for supper on Friday and left after lunch on Sunday with lots of things packed in between. We received a warm welcome from the staff, the food was excellent and the rooms spotlessly clean and comfortable and, as shown in the photograph above, the grounds were absolutely stunning- resplendent with spring flowers and the trees were just coming out- to be displayed later in all their summer glory. We had the opportunity to watch three films-'Chocolat', 'Groundhog Day' and 'The Simpsons' and it is always so interesting to hear people's differing interpretations of the same thing watched. We had daily worship in the Celtic style and we had plenty of free time to pursue whatever we wished to do.
I accompanied Margaret and Alan on a boat trip around Windermere and I also had two long walks- one to Easdale Tarn above Grasmere and the other around Rydal Water and back to the Hall on the 'corpse road'
The Celtic vision and celebration of love in Creation and the beauty of the country side accentuated, I feel, the fact there is spiritual replenishment offered in the sound of water running over rock, the glimpse of a peak rising out of cloud in the far distance, a tree standing tall and straight on the side of Grasmere or Rydal Water and even in the familiar, and sometimes boring tasks, we all have to undertake, which the films emphasised.
On Monday the Petitioners' response to the Repondents' submission was delivered to the Registrar, to be forwarded on to Judge John Walford, and a copy also was given to a representative of the Respondents.
We pray for Judge Walford as he comes to make his final ruling and all those involved with Lang Kirk 21, whether in favour of alterations to the church or not, as we come to this important stage of the project.

'We give thanks for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of the mountains, fields and rivers; for the song of birds and the loveliness of flowers.
We give thanks for these good gifts and we pray that we will not do anything that will destroy them.
We give thanks for time spent with friends and we pray for those whose lives are starved of friendship, those who find it difficult to make friends and those who are cut off from someone they love by distance or circumstance
Lord, we pray that all may be held within the circle of your love.
We pray for our Lang Kirk 21 project. Lord your purposes are just and true and your will is peace. Grant that in all divisions and difficulties truth may be honoured, justice done and a lasting peace achieved'

June at Kildwick

2008-05-12T16:53:00.002Z

June is rather a busy month at St Andrew's. On Sunday 15th June at 2.30pm the Gledholt Male Voice Choir from Huddersfield will be giving a concert in church.
The choir is based in Huddersfield and many of their members came to the concert, given at Kildwick last year, by the Huddersfield Choral Society Junior Choirs.
Tickets , which can be obtained on the day at the door or by ringing 01535 653997, are £6 which includes refreshments. All proceeds will go towards to the Lang Kirk 21 appeal fund and we are very grateful to the local firm of solicitors Turners who have sponsored this concert.
On Saturday 28th June 11am- 3pm the Grand Summer Fair organised by the church, the school and Kildwick and Farnhill Institute committee will be held, weather permitting, on the church lawns. There will be lots of stalls, a jazz band, the usual teddy bear slide from the tower and refreshments including tea and scones and lots of other exciting things to watch and participate in.
Everyone will be very welcome at either event.

Update from Kildwick.

2008-05-02T14:34:00.002Z

It has been a very busy time at St Andrew's- hence the reason for little appearing on the blog for a while, as reports have had to be written, visits made, records checked for people researching family trees from both this country and as far away as Rhode Island,
many wonderful Easter services,Annual Church meetings to prepare for and lots of baking to be done!
Easter was a splendid time at Kildwick, we had many differing services with many people attending.The church looked really good with flowers skilfully arranged and the Easter tomb and garden was as resplendent as ever.Elizabeth, our vicar's wife, had worked closely with the children at Kildwick school and the result was a wonderful display of birds darting among the pillars and around the Easter tomb. A golden eagle hovered above the sanctuary and a peaock stood next to the Easter candle whilst a phoenix soared majestically above the font.
'It's been a wonderful Easter, very upliftng in every way' remarked a member of the congegation.

In late March after the members of the Building Development Advisory Group had delivered their submission to the Registrar's office they went on to Dewsbury Minster which has undergone several major refurbishments in the past few years.
What an enjoyable day we had- we were greeted by such warmth and friendliness and we were so impressed by the wonderful work the people of the Minster are doing in so many fields. Working from an inner city ( or town) church they are confronted by all sorts of things and we felt that what they are achieving is absolutely wonderful and what 'church' is all about. We were given a long guided tour and we asked many questions which were answered with patience and it was obvious that the peole who work there - all on a voluntary basis- love the Minster and are carrying out its mission. We went as strangers but we left as friends and this link is going to be kept. I would advise anyone who wishes to visit Dewsbury to see the Minster to certainly take advantage of the guided tour which explains everything in such great detail and of course the guides are always willing to provide any information required with enthusiasm.
Last Sunday was a busy day - the annual church meetings and the Easter Service of Thanksgiving for the Departed.
Nearly eighty people attended the meetings- quite a record- but this is so encouraging that so many people are so supportive of the life and work and mission of St Andrew's It was also reported that there was an increase of people on the electoral roll and that the average number attending Sunday worship has increased -as has the number of visitors and the number of baptisms.
Last evening was Ascension Day and a service was held in the evening. As usual at the end of the service everyone , including many visitors from Silsden, Sutton and Cononley, assembled on the church lawn to witness a loud band and a myriad stars soaring skywards as the rocket was launched from the church tower. Back inside for refreshments and, although we should like to be able to accomodate people more safely and comfortably, the warmth of friendship and fellowship is always good.
Last Saturday David Mitchell played music all day from his own personal collection of C Ds and I was on hand to make cups of tea and coffee and slices of cake ( that's the reference to baking!)
We had lots of people calling in church to sit and listen for a while, chat and have refereshments. It was a nice warm day and we had walkers and people from the boats on the canal as well as members of the congregation and the surrounding villages. Nearly £200 was raised for the Lang Kirk 21 fund.
Our next fund raising event is on Sunday 15th June at 2.30pm when the Gledholt Male Voice Choir from Huddersfield will be performing in church. It promises to be a very good concert.

'Gracious God, we thank You for the resources you give us in the service of Your mission and ministry; guide us as we seek to care for and develop the building we have inherited from those who have served You in years past, that it will continue to speak to those who seek You today; may the Lang Kirk continue to proclaim Your presence in the world and draw people to know You and to love You;
We pray for everyone connected with St Andrew's and also for those we love whoever and wherever they may be. We pray for those who are sad because someone they love is far from them- we ask that their loved ones will be kept save in Your care'

Easter Services

2008-03-12T21:54:00.002Z

Sunday 16th March Blessing of Palms 8.15 am and10am Blessing of Palms, Procession from Barretts Bridge and Holy Communion
6pm Said Evening Prayer
Monday 17th 12.30pm Stations of the Cross
Tuesday 18th Wednesday 19th 7.30pm Meditative service
Thursday 20th
Maundy Thursday Eucharist of the Last Supper followed vigil of prayer until 11pm ( preacher: The Revd John Peet)
Friday 21st
Good Friday 10am Procession of witness from Kildwick to Crosshills for 10.30am united service at St Peter's Methodist Church
12noon Prayers around the Cross until
2pm Liturgy of the Cross
7.30pm Ecumenical Devotional Service ( St Thomas' Church, Sutton)
Saturday 22nd 8.30pm Easter Vigil and Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Sunday 23rd
Easter Day 6am Ecumenical sunrise Service at Farnhill Pinnacle
8.15am Holy Communion
10am Family Holy Communion and Renewal of Baptismal vows ( followed by Easter Egg Hunt)
6pm Celebration Songs of Praise

Anyone will be very welcome to come to any of the Easter services.

Lord Jesus Christ who on the evening of the first Easter Day appeared to the disciples when they were afraid and spoke to them Your word of peace. Grant to us that same peace, that we may walk in the light of Your presence and know the power of Your risen life.

We commend to You those we love, grant them health and strength and keep them from danger. Be with those we love but from whom we are separated and may Your peace rest upon all those we love whoever and wherever they may be.

A busy week!

2008-03-02T15:57:00.002Z

It has been quite hectic this week and the written representation document was delivered on Thursday to the Diocesan Registry ( for the Chancellor) and to Mr Midgley the designated representative of the Respondents( formal objectors). The Respondents have until 18th April to submit their representation and then we the Petitioners then have until 19th May to reply to the Respondents' representation. As we were instructed, by Judge John Walford, we acquired evidence of support for the project and the Parochial Church Council thank the one hundred and sixty nine people who wrote a letter of support, showing just how the project is supported in the parish, neighbouring parishes and further afield.
After the document had been delivered in Bradford the Building Development Group travelled on to Dewsbury Minster. I had been invited by a contact there to visit and see the results of the reordering that had been successfully carried out there.
We received a very warm welcome with coffee and later in the refectory a delicious lunch. Gill Gaskin showed us all round the church and each member of the group was really impressed by what had been accomplished- all the pews removed and replaced with really good quality, upholstered, purpose made for Dewsbury, chairs costing £175.00 each. By coincidence I had already made contact with the same firm that had made them for Dewsbury.
The group were very impressed with the light and airy feel about the place and of course the under floor heating. Of particular interest was the heritage area- by coincidence Dewsbury had Saxon stones to display just like St Andrew's and at Dewsbury they were displayed absolutely wonderfully as was the font cover, resting on a plinth and showing off to its very best, in great detail, the intricate carving on it.
I would encourage any one, who wants to see a reordering scheme which has been carried out tastefully and successfully, respecting the history of the place but making a flexible worship area and modern facilities ,to pay a visit to Dewsbury. We went as strangers and left as friends and we hope that we will be able to reciprocate their hospitality when our alterations are completed.
Going into a close knit community like Dewsbury and the Minster complex it would have been difficult not to have talked about the little girl who was missing from her home in in that town and we have mentioned her and her family in our intercessions at Kildwick for the last two weeksand prayed for her safe return home to her family and friends.

'Heavenly Father, we pray for children in all kinds of danger; on the roads; from the stranger; from the unseen and often unknown cruelty of men and women.
We pray for all children in their lives at home and at school. Watch over them and protect them from evil; guide them and guard them from the forces of evil that are all too often at work in our society.
We pray for all those we love whoever and wherever they may be and we pray for those separated from someone they love either by circumtance or distance'

This morning was our Mothering Sunday service. Everyone present received a plant and as usual people stayed to chat after the service and had a hot drink and a piece of simnel cake.
The next special service will be Palm Sunday 16th March when Holy Week begins with the Blessing of Palms at both morning services. I will give full details of all the Easter services in another entry.

Lent

2008-02-10T10:34:00.000Z

Lent began on Ash Wednesday last week 6th February with services at St Andrew's at 9.15am and St Peter's Methodist Church Crosshills at 7.30pm. Both services included the imposition of ashes. At the 7.30 service the preacher was the Reverend John Peet, vicar at Cononley.
Lent is a time of prayerful reflection on the meaning of our Lord's passion. A popular aid to this reflection is the service of Stations of the Cross. Each of the Stations stands for an event that occurred during Jesus' Passion and death at Calvary on Good Friday. The service lasts about half an hour and takes place on Fridays at 12.30pm in church. It is a very moving service and four of us attended the first service last Friday.
On Monday the Lent courses begin- one on Monday afternoon - in Glusburn and also on Tuesday afternoon- in Sutton and another on Thursday evening in Crosshills.

Building development Project.

2008-02-06T22:42:00.000Z

As the Building development group have kept the information flowing since the onset of our plans for reordering so Robin has now brought everybody up to date with an article in February's 'Bridge' magazine.
He writes:-
A second Directions Hearing to consider the application by the Parochial Church Council to develop the church building was held on 8th December 2007 before the Chancellor of Bradford Diocese Judge John Walford. The purpose of the hearing was to deal with matters of proceedure pertaining to the application. The Chancellor directed that he would consider the case by written representations from the Petitioners and the Respondents. The Petitioners are required to submit their representation by 29th February; the Respondents then have until 19th April to submit their representation. The petitioners may then submit a response to the objectors' representation by 19th May after which the Chancellor will consider the evidence and make his judgment.
On 10th January two people from Natural England visited the church to conduct a survey looking for evidence of bats roosting within the church building. On 25th January representatives of Craven District Council visited to be briefed on the scheme. Reports from both these visits will be received in due course and forwarded to the Chancellor for his consideration.
Last Autumn the historian Sir Roy Strong published a book entitled A Little History of the English Church. In the book he points out an interesting fact that many of us might not have realised. He reminds us that the exclusion of secular life from English churches is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was a result of the, perhaps misplaced, Victorian conviction that sacred and secular needed to be kept apart; robed choirs replaced village bands; the chancel, which in the 17th and 18th centuries was a congegational Eucharistic space, became a priestly preserve; communal activities were moved from the nave to the newly built village halls. Sir Roy wants people to recognise that the salvation of many church buildings may ultimately come down to our being reawakened to the potential of the historical use of naves as centres of community life: hosting meetings, dances, feasts and markets. The use of church buildings as the market place is certainly worthy of note; few people realise that altar rails were introduced into churches as fences to keep the animals out of the sanctuary!
All historic church buildings have changed significently during their lives. Previous generations have been willing to allow the church building to fit the present needs of the people. Why not ours? To quote Sir Roy:'Much of what we now freeze in aspic for eternity as art would never have happened at all if preservation societies had existed in the Middle Ages'! -Robin Figg

And so say all of us at Kildwick!

I have just returned from the Ash Wednesday service with the Imposition of Ashes.
It was a good service with Revd.Michael Cowgill from Sutton, Revd. John Peet from Cononley, Revd Charlotte Common from Crosshills Methodist Church and our own Revd. Robin Figg leading the service.
I particularly liked the invitation before Communion

'Come to this sacred table,
not because you must but because you may;
come, not to declare you are righteous,
but that you desire to be true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ;
come, not because you are strong but because you are weak;
not because you have any claim on heaven's rewards,
but because in your fraility and sin you stand in constant need of heaven's mercy and help'

It is a busy time at St Andrew's at the moment, lots of work to do and we ask that God will inspire and direct us to seek and do His will in everything we do.
We ask God's mercy and care for all those we love whoever and wherever they may be. We ask that God will keep them safe and guard them from all evil and let them know that distance and circumstance is no barrier for the love we have for them.

Rumours Rumours Rumours.

2008-02-06T14:03:00.000Z

Last Sunday we had a special service -The presentation of Christ In the Temple with a family communion with Christingles.

If any one had seen me emerging from the supermarket last week with quite a few bags of oranges they could be forgiven for thinking that I was in need of copious amounts of vitamin C but it was in preparation for the making of the Chrisingles.

So it was that on Friday morning seven of us, plus Isabella a very young church member, who delighted us with her singing, worked in the vestry to prepare over eighty Christingles.

Of course many hands make light work and the red ribbons representing the blood of Christ, being as they say 'prepared earl;ier', soon the Christingles were looking quite stunning- the candles, representing Christ the light of the world- the sweets skewered on four cocktail sticks - showing the fruits of the earth and God's gifts to us in the four seasons,and the baking foil, reflecting the light from the candles ,were soon in place.

On Sunday each person was given a Christingle which were used in the service. It was a good congegation with everyone lighting the candles twice during the service.

Robin when he gave out is notices unfortunately had to squash certain rumours that are circulating in the area- where such ridiculous ideas come from it is hard to know but Robin had to assure the congegation that he is indeed taking funerals. One of the rumours going about is that Robin is not prepared to take funerals at Kildwick anymore. This is certainly not true and as one who has helped him on many many occasions at funerals I can certainly vouch that HE DOES! Indeed many people have said that they have been moved by the way he conducts these services, showing just what a caring man he is.

The second rumour is that the whole Lang Kirk 21 project is going to be funded by a rich American. If only it were true- as a person who is very much involved with fund raising please forward their contact details on to me if any one can shed any light on this mysterious person!

Thirdly Robin had to reassure those present that the nave of the church will not be turned into a gymnasium for school use. Ropes will not be hanging from the beams and wall bars will certainly not be attached to the walls but it is certainly expected that the school will benefit from greater use of the space due to the flexibility of having chairs instead of fixed pews, but no equipment will be permanently fitted and the school will use the space appropriately for such activities as dance and movement, drama, music.

Actually all those present who are being kept up to date with the progress of the scheme and have been from the outset found the whole thing rather amusing and sounds of laughter were heard resounding round the church. Oh dear- perhaps another rumour may be circulated soon- laughter in Church!!!! what are we doing!

This week a joint service in St Peter's Methodist Church Crosshills for Ash Wednesday will take place at 7.30pm. It is always good to join with our friends from the Crosshills and District Fellowship of churches and St Peter's church is always very nice and warm- I once made the mistake of going dressed just as I would for a morning service at Kildwick- the result I was absolutely sweltered- roll on the time when it is just so at St Andrew's!

From ancient Rome to Kildwick.

2008-01-20T22:10:00.000Z

What does today's title mean? All will be revealed.

This Sunday saw the start of the week of Prayer for Christian Unity and instead of one service during the week people are invited to come together for prayer for about 45 minutes at various venues around the district and also as usual our ministers, this morning, did a 'pulpit' swop. As Robin is still under the weather Edward, who has just about recovered from his surprise party last week, was the celebrant at Holy Communion at the early morning service and at 10.p.m with preacher Dr Clive Tedd from South Craven Baptist Church.
Clive is always interesting to listen to and he spoke about how Reuben ,the eldest son of Jacob and Leah, found mandrakes in the fields. Rachel, Jacob's second wife, the sister of Leah, wanted the mandrakes and barters with Leah for them. The deal is that Leah can spend the next night in Jacob's bed and soon after this Leah becomes pregnant. Clive went on to explain that these kind of plants were used for medicinal purposes and everybody wanted them.. Now for the explanation of my title. The mandrake was used in Pliny's days as an anaesthetic and it contained something called atropine and Clive said that when he was an anaesthetist he had used the same drug. Shakespeare refers four times in his works to the mandrake and the sleeping potion for Juliet was a preparation from this plant. To bring us more up to date there is mention of this plant by J K Rowling in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

This morning thirteen people received cards and a candle as they were celebrating January birthdays and as usual on the third Sunday in the month there were prayers for healing.
It was a good service and we are very grateful to Clive for coming to preach to us and of course to Edward for standing in for Robin whilst he has been unwell.
As is the normal practice tea and coffee was served after the service and as usual it was such a squash at the back of the church as there was a good congegation and people, rightly, want to stay and chat whilst they have a warming drink. It will be really good when we have a bigger space at the back of church and nobody is in danger of getting scalded with hot water or breaking a limb as they try to avoid the font steps. It was a beastly morning very wet and windy and Edward remarked that it was just ' not on 'that he , at eighty years of age ,should have to make the treacherous journey from church to the Parish rooms to use the toilets there -in between the services. I noticed also that he had brought a flask with him so he could have a hot drink too.
And some people say we don't need to change!
This evening Michael Baumber, our lay reader, was taking a service of Evensong in the Parish Rooms. It is far too cold now and too expensive to use the church for services except on Sunday mornings with our present out dated so called heating system. Michael, a retired history teacher and an historian, would also preach a very interesting sermon. So all in all not a bad day,with plenty of variety, something to suit everyone, except for those who have to carry water from the Parish rooms for the drinks, sit on very uncomfortable pews- risk falling on a slippery wet path and coming back into service cold and damp if you have the misfortune to want to use the toilets!
Hopefully this will all change soon. I wonder what the heating was like in the days of Pliny? Probably better than we have in church now- the Romans invented central heating didn't they-
they had the hypocaust!
'In the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we pray for support as we seek to further unity.
We pray for all the churches within the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches and may we as Christians be united in love and prayer whilst respecting each other's differences.
We give thanks for friendships and fellowship shared and we ask your blessing on all those we love whoever and wherever they may be'

Hoodwinked but very happy!

2008-01-17T21:26:00.000Z

A message from The Reverend Canon Edward Gee.

'I should like to thank all who shared my joy and attended my surprise 80th birthday celebration last week. A special thanks to those who baked and provided such a lovely supper for us all to enjoy. The whole evening was one of the happiest days of my life. I do compliment everybody for managing to pull off a fantastic deception. I was utterly 'gob smacked' and totally hoodwinked right up to the very last minute when the inner doors opened at South Craven Baptist Church. God bless you all for everything.'

Surprise Suprise -with room for 160! and no pews!

2008-01-13T17:54:00.000Z

It was a relief when our friends at South Craven Baptist Church agreed to my request for us to use their building on Friday evening. Our very dear friend at St Andrew's The Revd Canon Edward was eighty years of age on Thursday and it was back in November that I started to organise a surprise party. Of course, from being just a few friends because it was Edward who is so well respected and loved by every one he comes into contact with, the numbers grew and grew and grew! After a few sleepless nights all was resolved after contacting the Revd David Warrington at Sutton and invitations were sent out exhorting everyone to keep the secret!

Catering was organised and as usual the ladies at St Andrew's rose to the challenge, the wine was ordered, entertainment thought about, many phone calls took place between Marjorie and myself- but only when Edward was at Wednesday morning service. But the challenge was how to get Edward to Sutton without him smelling the proverbial rat!
Inspiration! I lent Marjorie a book of Emily Bronte's poems and a cunning plan was worked out.

Marjorie told Edward that a meal for the two of them, a few relatives and Johnathan their son and grandson Alex had been booked at the local pub. When I thought that the guests were all assembled at Sutton I rang Marjorie and said that I was at the Baptist church and was giving a talk and had suddenly remembered that I needed the book of poems and could they drop it round. She agreed and the party goers waited in a darkened room for the guest of honour to arrive. As Jonathan drew up to the door Marjorie got out and Edward wound his window down and said 'We're going out for a meal' I can imagine that he was very cross at the inefficiency of Isobel and the fact that I had probably made them late for the meal. With some trepidation I said, 'There's someone inside who has come to hear me and knows you from a previous parish- can you come inside for a minute' Edward, for ever the gentleman, but probably getting more and more frustrated by the minute, left the car and accompanied by Marjorie entered the building. That was the signal for those gathered to sing 'Happy Birthday' and so after much surprise and a few remarks about my deviousness the evening began- with Tim giving a toast.

I told Edward that unfortunately Michael Aspel was otherwise engaged but I did have the red book, and from it I read out a few messages from people who for one reason or another could not be present.

Marjorie, his dear wife and a good friend to everyone at St Andrew's, spoke about Edward's early life and his long childhood illness. Kath Morris, a member of our congregation sang a favourite of Edward's- Faure's ' Pie Jesu' and then Dr Alan Lees and his sister Ruth, from Edward's days at Brownhill, Batley, told us about the closeness of both their families as they both grew up alongside and were good friends with Edward's son Jonathan and his daughter Rachel. Peter Bannister, a retired vicar, who with Edward helps us out at St Andrew's recited a monologue about a London omnibus and the Revd Joyce Trafford curate at Edward's church when he was at Alverthorpe spoke about his life there and the friends he had made. Unfortunately Robin our vicar had been taken ill that day and I had asked him to be the last speaker but the Revd Michael Cowgill, vicar at St Thomas' Sutton stepped admirably into the breach and spoke about Edward's many admirable qualities- his wisdom, his kindness and the fact that he is always willing to give help and advice. It was my turn next to say a few words and I read a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson which I think expresses most beautifully that awareness which we all have and which is heightened as day turns to night and youth retreats (and nobody escapes from that!) and we hand ourselves over to God as we seek the peace that this brings. Kath ended that part of the evening by singing 'Memory' from 'Cats' another of Edward's favourites, when each one of us present could reflect on our own reason for being there- the memory of practical help and advice given- it could have been spiritual guidance or encouragement. It may have been the imprint on someone's memory of that kindly smile or special sense of humour.

Before everyone tucked into the delicious spread of sandwiches, quiches etc Sue Hargreaves wheeled on a beautful cake which she had iced. It was decorated most wonderfully with acorns and she explained that although Edward was a man small in stature from acorns come mighty oaks and that Edward is a giant of a man.

After a really super evening when Edward and Marjorie chatted with all the guests it was just left to clear away and reflect just what can be done in a church when there are no pews!

Within minutes of the last guests leaving the room was back as it would be for a Sunday service.

Roll on the time when we can do exactly what we did at Sutton in our church- who knows we may even be able to help out our friends within Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches if they want to organise a large event- well that's the idea anyway- just waiting for the faculty!

I fear that nobody will look at me without suspicion ever again but the memory of Edward's look of surpise when he saw about one hundred and sixty people waiting to greet him makes it all worth while.

A Happy New Year

2008-01-02T16:24:00.001Z

A happy new year to everyone who reads the Lang Kirk 21 blog.

I have had best wishes sent to St Andrew's from New Zealand and Maryland USA.
I showed Gilda Misur round the church during the summer and she sent the following greetings from her home in New Zealand.
' I wish you all at St Andrew's a fulfilled new year. I have very affectionate feelings towards your church'.

John and Gwynne Cavey from Maryland came to a service in the summer whilst staying in the areas and they write
'To all at St Andrew's Kildwick a very happy new year. We have had one snow thus far but no white Christmas'

' Lord, who is in every place and from whom no space or distance can ever separate us we give thanks and pray for our friends. We pray for those we love whoever and wherever they may be. We ask that you will watch with your care those we love but who are separated from us by distance or circumstance. Protect them and keep them from harm and let them know that love cannot be destroyed by being apart and they are always in our thoughts and prayers'.

Nearly the end of the year!

2007-12-30T14:34:00.000Z

The special Christmas services were very well attended with many visitors welcomed to the church. The collections ,after expenses ,at the Carol Service, Midnight Eucharist and Christmas Day will be shared between St George's Crypt in Leeds and the Jigsaw Kids' Ministries in Manila run by our mission partners Tim and Kate Lee ,who Christine Anderton, a member of our congegation, visited at the end of 2007. Christine will be giving a talk with slides about her visit on Friday 25th January in St Andrew's Parish Rooms.The collection from the Crib Service will go to The Children's Society. I am still collecting items for Jubilee Outreach Yorkshire which will be sent out to Romania at the end of January.The season of Christmas continues until 6th January when the Feast of the Epiphany with a Family Communion will be celebrated. The seaon of Epiphany continues until Sunday 3rd February when we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple ( Candlemas). Again there will be Family Communion with Christingles at 10am
2008 is going to be a very important year regarding the Lang Kirk 21 project. A second Directions Hearing to consider the application by the Parochial Church Council to develop the church building was held on Saturday 8th December before the Chancellor of the Bradford Diocese Judge John Walford. In attendence were Robin, myself and Barry Houghton on behalf of the PCC and six formal objectors-and also the Registrar, the Chancellor, our Archdeacon and representatives from the D A C. The purpose of the hearing was to deal with matters of proceedure pertaining to the application. The Chancellor directed that he would consider the case by written submissions from the petitioners and the objectors. The petioners are required to make their submission by 29th February; the objectors then have until the 18th April to make their submission. The petitioners may then submit a response to the objectors' submission by 19th May after which Judge John Walford will consider all the evidence and make his judgement.
Objectors to the scheme are claiming that it is supported by only a tiny minority of church members, parishioners and the wider community. In order to provide evidence that this is not so ,and the Chancellor encouraged us to do so, the petitoners are inviting people to write a letter to show their support for the Lang Kirk 21 project. If you would like to write a letter of support please address it to the vicar Robin Figg and send it to him at The Vicarage, Kildwick Keighley BD20 9BB. In your letter it would be helpful if you outlined your involvement- connection- interest, past and present in the life of St Andrew's Kildwick.
If you have any questions please speak to Robin Figg 01535 633307 Barry Houghton 01535 633713 or myself Isobel 01535 653997.

Gracious God, we thank you for the resources you give us in the service of your mission and ministry; guide us as we seek to care for and develop the building we have inherited from those who have served you in years past, that it will continue to speak to those who seek you today; may the Lang Kirk continue to proclaim your presence in the world and draw people to know and love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

Christmas is almost here.

2007-12-24T21:20:00.000Z

Christmas Eve today and Christmas Day will soon be here. It's been a busy time at St Andrew's- hence not much has been blogged recently!

All the school events went very well with well attended events and the children made each one a success. As usual the need for modern facilities in the building was accentuated with me making regular trips across to the Parish rooms escorting parents with young children to the toilets.

Last night was the Candlight Carol service and that was extremely well attended with a packed church of over three hundred people. Many children came dressed as angels, animals, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. I had had a telephone call from someone in Burnley earlier in the week who had attended the brass band concert in September and who had vowed, after receiving a very warm welcome then, to come back to celebrate Christmas. I was glad that the lady and gentleman made themselves known to me as I was saying 'Good night' to everyone and that they had felt that they wanted to be part of our celebrations. We hope to welcome them back again at some future event and the contact made at our concerts is very important mission outreach. Another comment which boosted our morale was a remark made to the effect that with the removal of pews it will be much better for people to see the front properly as chairs can be arranged at will. ( and they'll be more comfortable)

This afternoon about forty eight adults and forty four children came to the Crib service. This is a very nice little service of about half and hour when the Posada families are returned to church and the crib figures are put in the manger. With only about ten figures it was difficult for Charlotte and myself to hand them to very willing helpers but forty four does not go into ten! We both felt a little sad but hope those who were not able to carry a figure to the front were not too disappointed and we thanked everyone for coming to help and hopefully next year, if they are a little more fleet of foot, they will carry a figure forward.

So half past four saw Robin, myself and Charlotte, dismantling the manger, sweeping up the straw, replacing the crib in the south aisle and generally vacuuming ready for tonight's midnight service. I really enjoy this service- it is a good start to Christmas and it will be good to see familiar faces who always come to this well attended service. I will be back in church at nine tomorrow morning for the Family Communion and then home. So I wish all readers a very happy Christmas and peace and love in the New Year.

'In this Holy night strangers found the Holy Family and saw the baby lying in the manger. Bless our homes and all those we love- whoever and wherever they may be. We pray for those who are separated from someone they love at this time and we give thanks for the message of peace that Christmas brings to our distracted world. We ask for peace among nations, peace in our land, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts as we remember the birth at Bethlehem of the Prince of Peace'

Christmas at St Andrew's.

2007-12-14T18:48:00.000Z

On Thursday we were pleased to accomodate the pupils and staff of Kildwick primary school when they held their Christmas productions in church. It is well known that Kildwick school are very short of room and the church is always very happy to see the school make use of the church building. This we hope to expand after reordering. The church was full for the usual nativity story and the older puplis presented 'Five Gold Rings' to a very appreciative audience.
On Wednesday 19th December the school will be back again in church for their Christingle service and refreshments will be served before the service, which starts at 2.45pm

As in previous years Glusburn school will be holding their Carol Service in church on Monday 17th December at 6.30pm.

This Sunday morning Kathy Tedd from Jubilee Outreach Yorkshire, a charity which does valuable work in Rumania, will be coming to St Andrew's to talk about their work.There will be an opportunity to present gifts for Rumania during the service but don't worry if you have forgotten- a lorry will not be going out to Rumania until the end of January so I will not be taking the things to Kathy until January- so please feel free to bring them to church at anytime in between and if you are not sure what to bring I shall be only too pleased to inform you!

The open air pageant organised by the Crosshills and District Fellowship of churches will take place this Sunday afternoon starting at 4pm in North Road Sutton in Craven before making its way through the village to Sutton Park.

On Sunday 23rd December at 6pm there will an opportunity to sing old favourite carols at the candelit carol service. Children are encouraged to come dressed as shepherds, angels, kings and animals to take part in the tableau and there will be special items from the music group and the choir and there will be seven Bible readings. Everybody is very welcome.

Next day on Christmas Eve the Posada figures will come back to church at the Crib service at 4pm and then at 11.30pm there will be the midnight Eucharist service.

On Christmas day there is Holy Communion at 8.15am and then Family Communion at 10 o'clock.

As you will see there is a wide variety of services to suit all differing tastes and everyone is very welcome at any.

Comment to Isobel's Blog for 2nd December 2007.

2007-12-10T15:25:00.000Z

We had such a warm welcome from the parishioners of Kildwick when we made our family history induced visit to your beautiful church on Sunday 2nd December, and we are not surprised to read that families have been visiting St Andrew's on a regular basis over the years, even on canal boats.
The 'church', in its true meaning of the word, is certainly succeeding in spreading its message far and wide and we wish you every success in your hard work to make sure St Andrew's is the centre of your community for many more centuries to come.
We look forward to paying a longer visit to the Kildwick area next summer.

With sincere thanks.
Anne and Ron McConville ( Sale Cheshire )

Damp but not down hearted- wet but not woebegone.

2007-12-09T21:32:00.000Z

Last night about one hundred and fifty people braved the elements to attend a concert in St Andrew's given by the pupils and friends of Malsis school. Christmas at Kildwick and Malsis school are synonymous as the church and school have always enjoyed very close relationships and it did not seem a year since they last gave a concert for us. Mr Lush, the headmaster and the school are very supportive of the 'Lang Kirk 21' project and all proceeds from the concert will go to the redevelopment fund.
On such a horrible night outside it was really an embarrassment when, after I had made the obligatory safety remarks and welcomed everybody on behalf of St Andrew's, I had to point out that our toilets were situated out of the main door through the car park and in the building through the gates. On such a night as last night it really accentuates the need for modern facilities inside the church building. An added hazard last night was that it was quite windy and the path leading to our rooms was quite slippy with fallen leaves. We do our best to keep the paths clear but on such a night as last night it is virtually an impossibility. However thankfully we had no mishaps, except a few damp coats, but I am sure that listening to the wonderful singing made up for that - we hope so!
Music from the chamber and chapel choirs was really beautiful and nobody could have failed to have been moved when an augmented choir sang from 'Messiah' with 'And the Glory of the Lord' soaring up into the rafters.
The music was interspersed with readings and I was particular pleased to hear one of my favourite poems 'The Journey of the Magi' read so beautifully by three pupils.
All too soon the concert ended and everyone connected with the redevelopment scheme thank Mr Lush, his staff and his pupils for supporting us and bringing a little joy and light into such a dark and wet evening.

The end of a busy day and the start of a busy week

2007-12-02T22:37:00.000Z

Two very different services at St Andrew's today but both well attended and well received. This morning we had many visitors at the Eucharist service and it was a pleasure to welcome a party who come every year round about this time with their boats on the canal. They usually have an overnight stay, dine at the White Lion and then come to morning service. In the party are a young couple who were married at St Andrew's in 2006- they found the church when they moored their boat at Kildwick, and have been regular attenders, when in the area, since then and as I say, they were married in the church. We look forward to hearing of the birth of their first child in January and also welcoming their son or daughter next time they are in the area. It was also a pleasure to show around the church a lady and gentleman from Sale in Cheshire who were researching their family history.The name they were connected with was Topham which actually is very well known at St Andrews. At the top of the nave there is a ledger stone with the name Christofer ( the old spelling of the name) on and there was a John Topham vicar at Kildwick in the 1600s. I was also very pleased that I was able to give them a bit of information that they were unaware of. My childhood friend who lives in Glasgow has an aunt - Topham- who originally came from Bradley- a village just through the wood from Kildwick, and so the lady from Cheshire was very pleased to be told how to get in touch with yet another branch of her family. It was good also to welcome them back to the candle lit Advent Carol service this evening - we must not seem too intimidating at St Andrews and we look forward to seeing them again.
The Advent Carol Service was a great success despite appalling weather - with rain coming down in sheets just after five o'clock. I had prepared about eighty candles and was sure that not half of them would be used- how wrong was I! A congregation of people from St Andrew's, St James' Silsden and the churches within the Crosshills and District Fellowship of churches filled the main body of the church and there were some beautiful readings read by representatives from each church and hymns sung, including old favourites like 'O come O come Emmanuel' and 'God is working His purpose out' and new music from an augmented choir and a Iona community song from the music group.
I am always slightly nervous when candles are in church but people are usually very sensible and they do create a lovely atmosphere but I must say I am always relieved when nobody's hymn sheet or hair has caught fire and the candles are extinguished! Just one of the hazards of being a churchwarden I guess!
Next Saturday a reconvened Directions Hearing regarding the Lang Kirk 21 project will be held and Judge John Walford will preside. We pray for tolerance ,understanding, patience and grace for all involved.
In the evening Malsis School choirs are giving a concert in church in aid of the Lang Kirk 21 appeal. We are very grateful that the school are making this welcome return visit and we thank the headmaster and staff and pupils who are so supportive of the redevelopment project.

Advent Begins

2007-12-01T17:51:00.000Z

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. In the morning there will be a family Eucharist with music from the music group and the lighting of the first candle on the Advent ring. Our Posada figures will begin their journeys, travelling through Advent spending nights with different families before coming back to church at the Crib Service on Christmas Eve.
In the evening there will be a Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches united service in St Andrew's. This will take the form of an Advent Carol service with readings from members of each church within the fellowship and music from a united choir.
Everyone is very welcome at either or both services.

Lord, as we make ready for Christmas amid much affluence and abundance and shops full of thing to buy, keep us mindful of the poverty stricken peoples all over the world and the vast multitudes who at this very time lack the basic necessities of life.
May we show gratitude for all that you have given us and let us find time amid the busyness of the coming days to find time to think of what Christmas really means- that God's love for us all was made known by the birth of the Holy Child at Bethlehem , who shared the life of an earthly home.
We pray for all who have no home, whose only shelter is a cardboard box or a shop doorway and we pray for our homes and families and those we love wherever and whoever they may be.

St Andrew's Day

2007-11-29T13:09:00.000Z

St. Andrew Basilica at Patras, where the saint's relics are kept, was said to be erected over the place of his martyrdom.

Tomorrow evening, November 30th, we will be celebrating our Patronal Festival with a special Eucharist and the preacher will be The Revd. Neil Traynor from USPG.

St Andrew, who became Scotland's patron saint in the middle of the tenth century, was a Christian apostle and the elder brother of Saint Peter.

In the gospels he is referred to as being present on some important occasions as one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus.

At his own request he is said to have been martyred on a x shaped cross as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified.

There will be music with the choir and music group and light refreshments will be served in St Andrew's parish rooms after the service. Everybody will be very welcome.

Taize at St Andrew's

2007-11-24T11:52:00.000Z

The Taize community, an ecumenical men's monastic order in Taize Burgundy France is an ecumenical men's monastic order.
Tomorrow evening, Sunday 25th November there will be a service in St Andrew's Parish Rooms with the unique style of music for worship that reflects the meditative nature of that commun ity. With simple phrases , repeated, from the Psalms or from pieces of Scripture the repitition aids meditation and prayer.
The community was founded by Brother Roger who was its leader until his untimely death two years ago and the prior of the community is now Brother Alois, a German Catholic who was appointed by Brother Roger, eight years earlier, to succeed him.
Tomorrow evening's service will be a wonderful opportunity for quiet prayer and meditation and is just another of the wide ranging services that are organised for the people who worship at St Andrew's.

Father, help us ,as we meet together at St Andrew's, to listen, to understand and to remember and let Your presence be real to us.
As we pray may it just be like speaking to You,
As we listen, help us to concentrate, so that we really hear Your word and understand it.
Help us to value those who are leaders in our church and we thank you for our friends, especially those who share our troubles and support us in any way. We pray for all those we love whoever and wherever they may be

From a very chilly St Andrew's

2007-11-18T15:15:00.000Z

It seemed to be warmer outside the church than in this morning and by the end of the service I am sure that there would be nobody present who would disagree that the thought of new under floor heating would be wonderful. At the end of the service when I was taking the candles back to the vestry I was tempted to light them again to warm my hands- so the picture is painted!
However it was a good service this morning- for 'Suffering Sunday' and the LEAP group, who meet once a month, lead the service and each member had a short story to tell about Christians who suffer for their Christian faith in other countries such as Usbekistan, Iraq, Iran, Gaza and in our own country. Thanks to the group led by Sue Hargreaves who certainly gave us food for thought and made us think that suffering from the effects of a very cold church is way down the list on 'Suffering Sunday'.
During the service there was the opportunity for people to retire to have a laying on of hands and this I find is so good for me personally when I can pray for people I love whoever and wherever they may be.

Mince Pies, Mince Pies and more Mince Pies.

2007-11-17T22:08:00.000Z

This morning a very successful Autumn Fair was held in St Andrew's Parish Rooms. Events like this show just how inadequate these rooms are with people having to transport tables and chairs from church into the rooms and then having to carry them up the very narrow steep steps to the upstairs. Mince pies and coffee were served upstairs and at times it was impossible to swing the proverbial cat as so many people crowded into the top room. Another disadvantage is that one or two friends who cannot climb the steep steps had to be separated from other people and had to partake of the refreshments downstairs. However the event was a great success in monetary terms, which is very important as this is one of the major fundraising events which keeps the church at Kildwick up and running and helps to pay the bills. Also it was good to welcome in friendship members of the congregation, people from the parish and visitors from as far away as Hellifield and neighbouring villages and other churches. Also these events show how we as a church at Kildwick are all so helpful and supportive of one another as people had worked so hard together from early Friday morning until late Saturday afternoon with lots of humour and camaraderie. Everybody who attended were so interested and supportive our redevelopment plans and this is such an encouragement to those so closely involved with the reordering scheme.

Mince Pies and Coffee

2007-11-15T17:37:00.000Z

On Saturday 17th November there will be the Autumn Fair in St Andrew's Parish Rooms. Mince pies and coffee will be served all morning from 10am to twelve noon and there will be the usual stalls- bric a brac ,cake and book stalls and the church Christmas cards will be on sale.
Everyone is very welcome.

News from a very cold but bright Kildwick.

2007-11-12T14:29:00.000Z

We were very fortunate that, although very cold, we had a dry morning yesterday when after morning service we held a short service of Remembrance at the war memorial. Three wreaths were laid- one by a representative from Farnhill Parish Council, one by Barry Houghton, my fellow church warden, on behalf of
the church, and one by a member of the Bracken family who every year lay a wreath in memory of a loved one of theirs who died in the Second World War and whose name is on the war
memorial.

It is important that we remember those who were prepared to lay down their lives for their country - who knows how our lives may be different if they had not. During my childhood the eleventh day of the eleventh month was always a sad day in our household- although at the time I did not fully understand why. I was brought up in an extended family as living in a large farm house afforded plenty of room for relatives. My grandmother and a great aunt who both lived with us found that day very difficult as three of their brothers had been killed in the same battle - The Somme and also the great aunt's fiancee. On hearing the news their father collapsed and died and my great aunt never really recovered and became quite a recluse. This story is not unique- there will thousands of families affected just as ours was. The First World War was said to be 'the war that would end all wars' but unfortunately history shows that this was far from reality.

We remember with grateful hearts men and women who gave their lives that we may have the freedom we enjoy. We recognize the incalculable debt we owe them and we pray that the whole world may find a lasting peace. We pray for military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq at this present time- striving to bring peace and stability to those areas. We pray for their families and we pray for those we love whoever and wherever they may be.

Service of Remembrance

2007-11-05T17:06:00.000Z

This coming Sunday the eleventh of the eleventh month we will be holding our anuual service of Remembrance when we will remember all who gave their lives in the first and second world wars and subsequent conflicts since. We remember those who came home with terrible injuries and those who still suffer as a consequence of war and we remember those who lost someone they loved. At the end of the morning service we will process to the bottom of the church steps to the war memorial where wreaths will be laid and two minutes silence will be held.
Last Friday evening, on All Souls day, we remembered by name those dear to us ,but whom we see no longer , at a short service of remembrance.

We pray for those areas of the world where people are suffering and dying because of armed conflicts. We pray that's God's spirit may move in the hearts if all people that barriers of fear, race, suspicion and hatred which separate so many may crumble and disappear and that love will conquer all. As we remember at this time past wars we remember those involved in Iraq and Afghanistan and service men and women who are still striving to bring peace and stability to those areas. We pray for their families who fear for them and we pray for those we love whoever and wherever they may be.

News for November at St Andrew's

2007-10-30T18:41:00.000Z

As the days get colder the pattern of services will follow the same format as last year when from November to March the following services will take place in St Andrew's Parish Rooms:-

all the Wednesday morning Eucharists and all the Sunday evening services ( except the Advent and Christmas Carol services)

Those familiar with and coming regularly to St Andrew's will realise that however hard we try our heating system is not efficient enough to have a warm church during winter, and anyone following me into church in winter when I was stand in organist after Derek and then Mike left for pastures new,would have noticed that in my basket of bits and pieces was a full hot water bottle which I would use to warm my hands during the sermon, otherwise my fingers just would not operate and more wrong notes than usual would have resounded round the church building!It will be wonderful when our reordering is complete and our underfloor heating is up and running and once more people can look forward to being warm and comfortable in church even if the temperature outside is freezing! Also it will be good not to have to make, what seems quite a long trek, especially in wet and cold,dark weather, from St Andrew's Parish rooms into the church building carrying buckets of clean water in order to fill the urn so that people can enjoy a warming drink after services and events. Our rooms are just not big enough to enable all our congregation to go back to them after services and certainly it is impossible to cater for our concert audiences , often numbering over one hundred and fifty souls, in those premises.
On Friday 2nd November at 5pm there will be Evening Prayer for All Souls Day when we remember those we love but see no more. There will be opportunity for names of loved ones to be read out during this short but very moving service.

We pray for all those who have died and those who are sorrowful because someone they love has died. We pray that you, Lord, will be with them in their loneliness and comfort them in their sorrow and remind them that neither they nor their loved ones can be separated from Your love.
God of love we ask that we may show love in our thinking, love in our speaking and love in our doing. We pray for those we love whoever and wherever they may be and those separated from someone they love through distance, circumstance or death.

Lang Kirk 21- Church Building Development project update.

2007-10-27T20:20:00.000Z

The Building Development Advisory Group and the P C C have always felt that it is important that people should be well informed and kept up to date with regard to the project and so regular bulletins have appeared in the Bridge magazine.
This is the latest update which appears in the November issue out now.

Last month we reported that a first Directions Hearing had taken place on 29th September. This was the first opportunity for the Chancellor of Bradford diocese, His Honour Judge John Walford ( a Circuit Judge in the North East Circuit) to meet the petitioners and the objectors.
The hearing was adjourned to allow for further meetings between representatives of the petiitioners and of the objectors to explore if changes can be made to the present scheme which might satisfy all parties and lead to an uncontested hearing. The directions hearing will be re-convened on 8th December.
As discussions continue the following statement is offered to remind everyone about the key aspects of the proposed changes to the building.
St Andrew's Church, Kildwick, is applying for permission to re-order the interior of the beautiful Grade 1 listed building. We must stress that no alteration to the outside of the building is proposed. However, internally, we would like to create a kitchen area on the south side of the church, and a creche and disabled toilet on the north side. We have retained the servises of Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, a highly respected firm of architects with a long history of both specialist ecclesiastical work and work on listed buildings. They have designed the new additions to be symmetrical, using materials that match exactly the church interior and completely reversible so that in the future the additions can be removed without damage. We also wish to open up an existing door in the bell tower to create a disabled access and to provide a means of access and egress without having to negogiatethe six steps to the current south entrance. This will also be particularly useful for funerals and church attendees who, though perhaps not disabled, find steps hugely difficult.
Another part of the proposed reordering is to remove the exisiting wooden pews in the main body of the church, and replace them with high quality, wood-framed chairs. This will also facilitate the installation of underfloor heating. A good heating system is much needed and we are advised that an underfloor system is ideal for our historic building.
The Church of England has modernised considerably in recent years with the priest now conducting services standing immediately in front of the congrgation rather than at the 'high' ( or east end) altar. The installation of chairs will enable us to have flexible seating arrangements to suit particular services and will allow us, when appropriate, to seat the congregation 'in the round' when the priest would be literally in the midst of the people.
This flexibility would also help us further our outreach into the community enabling us to expand our popular young people's activities and include the facility for plays and concerts by them and by others so that the church is 'opened up' to many more than at present and to encourage people of all ages to at least visit the church.
Unfortunately a number of people have objected to our plans. We have received 77 letters of objection ( of which only twenty six are from people who actually live in the ecclesiastical parish of St Andrew's) and nine people have specifically objected in a way that means we shall need a Church Court to decide the issues. We firmly believe our proposals are the right way forward for st Andrew's. However, we have consulted with and obtained support for the scheme from our own Diocesan Advisory Committee as well as English Heritage, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Council for the Care of Churches. The Victorian Society has also raised no objection to the removal of the pews.
This statement hasn't, of course, included every last details of the proposed works but design drawings for the full scheme remain on display in the church and we do encourage you to take time to look at them.
It is extremely disappointing that a number of wholly inaccurate allegations have been made by some objectors. We can assure you that the historic choir stalls and other historic pieces of woodwork will not be removed nor will the Currer Chapel. Indeed we intend to create a 'heritage' area within the Currer Chapel to properly display the many interesting and historic artefacts that tell the on-going story of our church.
If you would like a fuller explanation about the proposed scheme, have any questions or want to express your support please contact any member of the Building Development Group: Robin Figg, Barry Houghton, Lesley Hudson, Isobel Stirk, Tim Wilson.

The Lang Kirk 21 Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for the resources you give us in the service of your mission and ministry; guide us as we seek to care for and develop the building we have inherited from those who have served you in years past, that it will continue to speak to those who seek you today; may the Lang Kirk continue to proclaim your presence in the world and draw people to know and to love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A prayer for today.

2007-10-24T17:10:00.000Z

We pray for those whom it would be easy to forget;
the poor and homeless
the old and friendless
all who have no one to care for them.
We pray for all who try to help them, remembering the valuable work of the soup runs and the refuges , that those they minister to will find comfort and hope. We give thanks for our own homes and the food we eat and the many blessings we receive.and we pray for those we love whoever and wherever they may be.We ask that they will be kept safe and their steps guided wherever and however far they may travel.

The Bradford Curry Project.

2007-10-24T12:20:00.000Z

For many years now I have collected non perishable food and taken it the the Bradford Curry project which provides meals for the many homeless people living on the streets of Bradford.
For a few years now the project has been based at the El Hudda mosque and last night I took the many gifts of food received at our Harvest thanksgiving service there. As I arrived darkness was approaching and already quite a few people were waiting for the doors to open. At the moment stocks of food are rather low and the two young men, who worship at the mosque, and who were in charge of the cooking last night, were very thankful that I had arrived with fresh supplies. By the time all the food had been taken to the pantry about twenty five people, male and female ,young and old were ready to have a warm meal. Last night's was fish fingers, chips and baked beans with a cup of tea and some fruit and custard. On behalf of everyone concerned with the Bradford Curry Project thank you most sincerely for your generosity which, as winter approaches, will ensure that some of the homeless people in Bradford will get a warm meal.

The start of a new week.

2007-10-22T20:42:00.000Z

At the start of this new week I was walking through the church yard through a carpet of dry leaves and I sat on the seat for a few minutes looking up towards the hills of Sutton and Sutton Clough which looks like a patchwork quilt with all the different Autumn colours, and beyond and thought how lucky I was to be in that place with such a wonderful view.Life has not been easy these last few weeks at Kildwick with weekly articles in the newspapers reporting that some people think that we are going to vandalise the church- nothing could be further from the truth and the plans to reorder the church have been carefully thought out over not just months but years - people's opinions have been sought and listened to, very professional people having been consulted and the amenity societies , who have visited the church and who have given us their support for the scheme, kept up to date all the time.However equilibrium has been somewhat restored by an very supportive letter from someone unknown to us at St Andrew's appearing in the local newspaper. We are very grateful for the boost to our morale!
We pray for all involved with the reordering scheme- for the members of the Building Development advisory group, for the P C C, for the architects,-Nick Rank and Steve Welch , the Registrar, the Chancellor and those who object to the scheme.
God our Father commanded us to love one another and to serve each others needs. Help us to be helpful and considerate, forbearing and forgiving so that the harmony of life all around us may be strengthened and sustained.
We pray for those we love, whoever and wherever they may be and we pray for those who are sad because they are separated, by distance or circumstance, from someone they love.

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity at Kildwick.

2007-10-21T20:38:00.000Z

There was no morning service at St Andrew's today as it was the annual 'One World Week' service which this was held at South Craven Baptist Church in Sutton in Craven. The preacher was Canon Sam Randall Bishop's officer for Church in the World.I was sorry to miss this as Sam always has something interesting to say and friends at the Baptist church are always very welcoming and friendly.
This afternoon at Kildwick we had a service of Eucharist with Baptism. Jan Czub was welcomed into the family of faith. Jan's parents, Kristoff and Agata, whose marriage was blessed last year in church, are Polish and it was good to welcome many of their family and friends, some who are living and working in this country and some who are visiting from Poland including Agata's mother. After the service an informal tea party was held in church and delicious cakes made by Agata's mother were soon consumed- they were absolutely wonderful( they made my cakes and buns pale in comparison) and Kristoff explained to me that some were made with a special cheese which is not available in this country. Jan behaved impeccably throughout even when Robin poured the usual holy water on his head and it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Gifts at Christmas.

2007-10-19T19:55:00.000Z

For the last two years I have taken toys collected at St Andrew's to Reevy Hill Primary school on the Buttershaw estate in Bradford.These have been distributed to children who perhaps would not receive a Christmas present.
This year the PCC nominated JOY, an ecumenical Christian charity run by a small dedicated staff in Shipley, to be the recipient of gifts collected for Christmas.The charity is committed to Rumania and helping many sick and needy people there.Work teams go out four or five times a year and without help many doctors say they would give up in depair and without them what help would there be for the sick and needy of Rumania.
On the 16th December at morning service Kathy Tedd a worker with the charity will be coming to St Andrew's and giving a short talk about her work and unwrapped gifts can be brought to the service which will be taken out to Rumania in the new year. Items such as :- medical supplies, bandages, plasters, etc. tooth brushes, hygeine products , new underwear and new socks and paper and pencils and exercise books.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information- Isobel 01535 653997

Christmas is coming at St Andrew's

2007-10-17T10:17:00.000Z

Autumn if definitely here and travelling through the wood between Kildwick Farnhill and Bradley yesterday certainly accentuated this. The colours were absolutely magnificent but it will not be long now before the tress are bare as we certainly woke up this morning to a chilly start.
Winter will soon be here but for quite a while now supermarkets and shops have been displaying Christmas merchandise- the festive season seems to start earlier and earlier each year.
At St Andrew's Christmas services are already in the planning and everyone is very welcome to come to any of the services.
On the 2nd December at 6pm there will be a candelit Advent carol service with items from an augmented choir from across the Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches.
On Sunday 23rd December at 6pm another candlelit service with traditional carols and readings, and items from the choir and music group and a tableau with the children.
Christmas Eve is a busy day with a Crib Service at 4pm when all the nativity figures, except for baby Jesus, are brought to the stable. Jesus will be placed in the crib at the midnight Eucharist. This starts at 11.30pm and again there will be traditional carols and music from the choir and music group.
On Christmas morning there will be a short Family Eucharist at 10.am.
This time of year is certainly a busy time for everyone and the Autumn Fayre will be held in St Andrew's Parish Rooms on the morning of Saturday 17th November. There will be all the usual stalls and raffle and a welcoming cup of tea/ coffee with the inevitable mince pie!

St Francis at St Andrew's

2007-10-15T17:41:00.001Z

The monthly Crosshills and District Fellowship of Churches evening service was held last night at Kildwick. The service was based on the life and work of St Francis with appropriate readings and hymns which included ' All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your hearts and with us sing 'Alleluia'.

St Francis was born into a well to do Assisi family in 1181 and from an early age was rebellious towards his father and his busines and his pursuit of wealth. He would lose himself in books and ironically it was his father's wealth that afforded Francis an excellent education and he became fluent in several languages including Latin. He had a carefree life but soon his displays of disillusionment toward the world and his father became evident. He spent much time alone asking God for enlightenment and took to nursing lepers and selling his possessions to help the poor. After hearing a sermon based on Matthew 10, when Christ tells His followers to go out and tell everyone about the Kingdom of God without any wordly possessions, he felt instructed to devote himself wholly to a life of poverty living as a beggar in the region of Assisi. Later he is said to have had a vision- the result being that he received the Stigmata. Suffering from these Stigmata and from an eye disease he died on 3rd october 1226 singing Psalm 141 O Lord, I call to You; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. Many of the stories which surround his life deal with his love of animals and one of the most famous incidents is when Francis spoke to the birds exhorting them kindly to always seek to prasie God. He preached both to man and beast the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise God and the duty of man to protect and enjoy nature as both stewards of God's creation and as creatures themselves. It is said that as he lay dying St Francis thanked his donkey for carrying him and helping him through life and the donkey wept.

It is good to share fellowship and worship with members of others churches in the area and about twenty five people enjoyed the service which ended with the usual warming cup of tea-( very welcome as the evenings are getting colder- watch this space for details of when evening services will be held for winter in St Andrew's Parish rooms)- and lively conversation as old friends caught up with news.

In the morning we had a service of Eucharist when five young people were baptised which had many people receiving communion.

Sunday was just another example of the many varied services we have at Kildwick which are enjoyed by many.

Further events at St Andrew's

2007-10-11T08:10:00.000Z

This Saturday October 12th Glyn Evans our organist and key board player has arranged that her pupils, with wide ranging ages and abilities, will be performing in church from 7.30pm. There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Building Development Fund and it is always good to see talented young people at St Andrew's.
Libba Utley and Sandie Walton have organised a coffee morning with various stalls which will be held in St Andrew's Parish Rooms on Saturday 20th October from 10.30am to 12 noon. All proceeds will go to support The Galiee School and Orphanage in Soweto and Nairobi which are in desperate need of help.
The Fellowship and Focis group are hosting a prayer party on Tuesday 16th October, again in St Andrew's Parish rooms. This is the second prayer party the group has organised and the last one was enjoyed immensely by those who attended- being very informal- no pressure on anyone to say or do anything. This starts at 7.30pm and after a time of quiet prayer and reflection about world, local and personal issues there is time for the usual good fellowship and refreshments always enjoyed at Kildwick.

Bringing the blog up to date

2007-10-09T19:58:00.000Z

Due to circumstances I have not written anything on the blog for a couple of months, so now I take this opportunity to bring everything up to date.

On the first Saturday in September, on a beautiful evening ,anyone in the near vicinity of the church could not have failed to hear the wonderful sounds of the United Co-op Brass Band resounding from the building. It was nearly a year since the band were at Kildwick and that concert, in 2006, was the first for them under the leadership of William Rushworth. Since then, under his baton, the band has gone from strength to strength, being very successful at various competitions and taking part in the French 'Open' competition where success was their's. When I introduced the band I felt obliged to check that the 'French Open' was a musical competition. I was assured that it was -but who knows- these people are so talented it could have been golf!The audience, of about one hundred and fifty and who were certainly appreciative of the varied programme and the entertaining repartee of William, will be pleased to know that the band are coming back in September of 2007.

Although everyone may not be familiar with that industrial area of Yorkshire round about Huddersfield certainly most people will have heard of that famous choir' The Huddersfield Choral Society' so it was with great anticipation that St Andrew's looked forward to welcoming the' Huddersfield Choral Society Junior Choirs' to Kildwick, on the afternoon of the 23rd September. Nearly fifty children sang most professionally with members of the choir introducing the various pieces and the soloists. The music had a broad spectrum, ranging from songs by the 'Beatles' to a wonderful rendering by one of the members, who had actuially been in the choir since the age of five and had recently graduated to that well known senior choir, of 'Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my people, from 'Messiah'.

Everyone commented that a lovely afternoon had been enjoyed by a large audience and that their musical director Susan Wilkinson should be congratulated on the performance and behaviour of those young people. Many of the families who had made the journey to Kildwick, some experiencing our location for the first time, had picnics on the church lawn and we hope that they will return in the not too distant future.

The next concert, reminding us that Christmas is not all that far away, is on the 8th December. Malsis school and their headmaster, Chris.Lush have kindly offered, as they did last year, to give a concert in St Andrew's- proceeds for our Building Development Fund. Christmas and Malsis school and Kildwick are closely linked, as for many years the school has had either a Christmas or an Advent carol service in the church and St Andrew's enjoys a very close connection with the school. Last year nobody could have failed to have been moved by James Ashworth, one of the music teachers at the school and also an opera singer, giving a most wonderful rendition of 'The Holy City' with the choir singing quietly in the background. I was lucky enough to be in church when they were practising and so heard this item twice- I look forward in anticipation to something similar this year!

In the summer our Mission partners Tim and Kate Lee made a visit to Kildwick and spoke about the work they are doing with CMS in the Phillipines and the Jigsaw Kids Ministry- working with some of the most poor and underprivileged children in that area.

Sue Hargreaves, who worked for many years herself with CMS and her sister, Rosie and friend Sylvia, held a most successful fund raising event at Beanlands Drive in September. The weather was very kind and it can be guaranteed that anything those three are involved with will include delicious refreshments and friendly company and over three hundred and fifty pounds was raised which will be sent on to support Tim and Kate's most worthwhile project.

Last Sunday saw Harvest celebrations at St Andrew's when an all age Eucharist was held at the ten o'clock service. This year the collection will be sent to the Bishop of Bradford's Appeal for 'Wells for Sudan' . After a very successful appeal earlier in the year to provide safe water for Pakistan the appeal was extended to Sudan. The school had had their Harvest service on the Friday afternoon and, as in previous years, non perishable goods were brought as their Harvest offerings. This year these will be divided between the Women's Refuge in Keighley and the charity that I have been involved with for many years 'The Bradford Curry Project' which provides meals for the homeless and the many living on the streets of Bradford. Please do not think that the only thing to be served is curry as thousands of different hot meals have been served since the project started about sixteen years ago. The founder Lashman Singh chose the name 'curry' as a common denominator among all those of Asian background and the whole project was designed to keep on board the different charities who worked among all ethnic groups and age ranges of the homeless in Bradford. I never fail to be moved by the generosity of all, whether in church or from school and every year I seem to take much more than the year before and everything is very gratefully received, the store cupboards replenished and the things put to very good use.

The Lang Kirk 21 project has reached another exciting and crucial stage- so I will now bring the blog up to date regarding this building development project.

In May, as reported earlier, two open evenings were held for local people to come and take a tour of the church building with members of the Building Development Advisory group on hand to answer any questions anyone might have had about the proposed changes to the building. There was also an onsite meeting with the representatives of English Heritage and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. As a result of those meetings the Parochial Church Council agreed to some further changes to the scheme; these include the retention of the pews in the Currer Chapel and as a result of these changes the amenity societies have expressed their support for the scheme.There have been some articles in the local papers regarding the Lang Kirk 21 project and some interesting exchange of letters.

Following the receipt of the letters of objection( seventy seven in total with only twenty six coming from people who live in the parish) the Diocesan Chancellor decided to hold a Directions Hearing in the church to discuss procedural matters in preparation for the Consistory Court hearing later.

The Hearing duly took place on Saturday 29th September with the Chancellor, Registrar, the Archdeacon, the three petitioners( the vicar, and two church wardens) and eight objectors.

After much discussion the Chancellor adjourned the hearing in order that both the petitioners and the objectors may each consider the scheme with a view to seeing if any further changes to the scheme are possible which might satisfy all parties. The Archdeacon of Craven is to convene a meeting in November for further discussion and the formal Directions Hearing will be reconvened in December. The Consistory Court hearing to consider the faculty application will therefore not take place until 2008.

The 'Lang Kirk 21 'Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for the resources you give in the service of your mission and ministry; guide us as we seek to care for and develop the building we have inherited from those who have served you in years past, that it will continue to speak to those who seek you today; may the Lang Kirk continue to proclaim your presence in the world.

I apologise for this up date being so 'long winded' but we are a busy church with lots of things going on but we are always mindful of the reason we are there and we give thanks for the fellowship which we find there which supports us as we seek to put our faith into practice in our daily lives.We ask that we will be able to keep before us the vision of church communities where people of different church backgrounds work and worship together harmoniously.

We remember those whose lives are much more difficult than our own -especially fellow human beings who live in poverty and hunger and who live in fear of violence and oppression. We remember those we love whoever and wherever they may be and we remember those who are separated from someone they love through circumstance or distance.

Thanks to Richard for getting me back on line! Watch this space- more regular exciting news to come.

Fellowship and Focus Group

2007-08-16T10:23:00.000Z

The new programme has been arranged and the group will be looking at 'Changing Lives- for good'- a new DVD series that tells the stories of ordinary people who are discovering a new way to live. In each session individuals and groups share their experiences of changing lives through trust, leadership, forgiveness sharing and suffering. The first session is ' Changing lives by Trusting'. The evenings are very informal, always ending with a cup of tea and cake and there is no pressure on anybody to speak - just listening is absolutely fine but everybody's opinions are valued. For further information contact Sandie Walton.