There are a number suffering aches and pains to different degrees.

Mary Whincup has had a couple of days in hospital after a heart do and Margaret Carrick will soon be visiting hospital to have an operation on her wrist for carpal tunnel.

We pray for them both and any others currently under the weather and hope they make full recoveries very soon.

 Brenda Parker

*****

Congratulations

Well done to Niomi McDermid who has received a lovely report from her headmaster at school.

*****

Summer Fayre

Many thanks to all who helped with the Summer Fayre this year. We had a lovely day with lots of stalls and games outside and even a pony (Tyke) and trap, who got a lot of attention until he let his owner know he had had enough.

We are grateful for all your help and support from putting bunting and the stalls up, to taking them all back down again and tidying up.  I know a lot of us were going home shattered; it is hard work but well worth it for the atmosphere alone. Even the weather was kind to us and between us we made over £600 for church funds.

Brenda Parker

***** 

Fire

Not long before the Summer Fayre began on Saturday 26^th June, clouds of smoke were seem billowing from a building on King’s Road and fire engines were seen rushing to the scene.

The October hairdressers had caught fire just before 1pm. According to the Harrogate Advertiser’s website, there were no reports of any injuries and fire engines were called from all over the district to the blaze. The fire took forty minutes to extinguish, but the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were yet to be established.

A young lady and here baby, who lived in the flat above the shop, were comforted by those helping at our Summer Fayre and she was looked after in the church hall.

We pray for all those involved and that any damage, physical or mental, is minimal and can be repaired.

Vincent Oberheim

*****

Christian Aid Week 2010

A big thank-you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts in any way for Christian Aid Week in May.

We raised a total of  £419 through the jumble sale, door to door collecting on Dene Park and donations given through the church plate.

Thank you once again for your giving to a good cause.

God bless,

Heather Poole

*****

Pilots

Well, here are again, almost at the end of our Spring/Summer term. 

After learning about the solar system, then the continents that make up our own planet, we have this term tightened our focus again and have been finding out about the different types of animals that live on Earth.

We started by looking at mammals, first in Europe, Africa and Asia, then the next week the Americas. This was followed by a talk about fish, lead by Ellie.

We have also looked at the prehistoric animals that came after the dinosaurs, but before the ice age.

The kids have made mammal puppets, paper plate fish and their own fossils.

This was followed by an outdoors games afternoon, due to the nice weather, then a visit the next week by the ‘Snake Man’, a neighbour of Elisa, who keeps reptiles and brought some snakes for us to see.

We had a particularly good turnout that night, with many parents joining us for the evening.

Out last meeting before the summer break will be on the 1^st of July and will be a nature walk. The Pilots autumn term begins on Thursday the 16^th of September at 5.45pn and all children aged 5 and over are welcome to attend.

Vincent Oberheim

 *****

Knaresborough Bed Race

Our own minister Rev. Bob Jones has added another feather to his cap by recently taking part in Knaresborough’s famous Bed Race.

The theme this year was ‘Occupations’ and Bob was part of an inter-denominational team of ministers, priests, vicars and other assorted clergy from Churches Together in Knaresborough. And all running in the same direction too!

Through sponsorship, Bob helped to raise over £600 for St. Michael’s Hospice.

The team placed 58^th out of a field of 90, with a time of 20 minutes, 33 seconds.

 *****

Birthdays

Thanks to everyone who was brave enough to write on the birthday list in the church hall. I’ve had a great response, but keep them coming!

I haven’t heard about any upcoming birthdays in July yet, but I’d like to say a belated Happy Birthday to Alan Clayton who celebrated his 89^th birthday in June and to Frank Whincup who also had a birthday last month. Two young men who will, I am sure, go far in our church!

****

The Garners’ Hymn

 

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

But what we never mention, though goodness knows it’s true

Is when He made the goodies, He made the baddies too.

 

All things spray and swattable, disasters great and small,

All things paraquatable, the Lord God made them all.

The greenfly on the roses – the maggots in the peas,

Manure that fills our noses – He also gave us these.

 

The fungus on the goosegogs – the clubroot on the greens,

The slugs that eat the lettuce and chew the aubergines.

The drought that kills the fuschias – the frost that nips the buds,

The rain that drowns the seedlings – the blight that nips the spuds.

 

The midges and mosquitoes – the nettles and the weeds,

The pigeons in the greenstuff – the sparrows in the seeds.

The fly that gets the carrots – the wasp that eats the plums,

How bleak the gardeners outlook, though green may be his thumbs.

But still we gardeners labour, midst vegetables and flowers
And pray what hits our neighbours, will never trouble ours!

*****

 Harrogate Homeless Project

 The Friends of Harrogate Homeless Project are organising a "Please give £1" week the first week of May.

This is to raise badly needed funds to help the project keep the doors of the only hostel and emergency shelter in the area open for the homeless in this area open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

 

This is a truly local charity and it is a simple idea which could help someone move on in their lives, to find stable accommodation and work, giving them back the security and self worth that so many of us take for granted.

 

Are any of you willing to give just £1 each during this week? If you are please give contributions to Norma.

 Volunteers Needed!

It’s coming up to that time of year again!

We need people look after the church garden. Colleen is looking to set up a grass-cutting rota, so if you feel you can spare a little time to help with that please do talk to her about it.

Likewise, the flower beds need making! They look rather bare at the moment and some colourful plants and flowers will make Bilton Grange look so much more inviting. Do you have green fingers? Please use them!

Also, we need volunteers to cut the hedge. It’s no good if no-one can see our wonderful garden!

If you feel you want to help, have a word with Colleen.

 

****

Plea For Articles

It seems incredible, but this is my tenth issue as editor of this fine journal. Double figures already!

I’d like to thank Brenda P, Jo Turnbull, Bob and all who regularly contribute news and articles, your help and input is greatly appreciated. But, don’t forget, ANYONE can contribute. It doesn’t have to be a news item, it can be a reflection on a Bible passage, a poem that has particularly moved you, an anecdote, a picture, a prayer – anything you would like to share.

It can be any length; if you feel inspired to write a two page article on how you came to faith, or an event you attended, the room to print it will be found!

I’d like to hear from our younger members too. If you are in Junior Church, Brownies or Pilots, you can contribute too. Paint a picture, write a poem or a prayer and I’ll include it.

 Vincent

****