Knaresborough Anglican Team

ACCORD

November 2017

Dear Friends,Dear Friends,Dear Friends,Dear Friends,

Sharing the Muck VERA from Coronation Street has died according to the radio last night. One of the stories about her interesting life and character was that at the end of a taxi journey in London, she gave the driver a £20 tip. The friend with her asked why she did that and her response was: - 'Share the Muck!' I used to watch Coronation Street when she was the landlady at The Rovers' and I can just hear her saying those words in her harsh but amusing voice and I love it! However, I love it also because it betrays an attitude to life that is both generous and grateful. Other comments about money that I have heard make me feel sad and sometimes angry. For example: - ‘” I’m spending the children’s' inheritance”, “You can't take it with you”, “Charity begins at home” (and stays there) “treat yourself, you deserve it”. Over half of the parables of Jesus were about finance/money/mammon. It’s probably surprising in a way, but it shows how he saw what a significant part of human life is spent dealing with the issues surrounding money. It has been said that the last part of a person to be converted is 'their wallet and bank account' and therefore the subject is particularly important for those of us who are rich enough to own property and have money in the bank. We hear in the church service the words' All things come from you and of your own do we give you'. Maybe we hear these words so often that they mean nothing to us. This is not right, because those words remind us that all we have is in trust from God and He is very interested and concerned about how we deal with the challenges of any riches entrusted to us. It is true that you cannot take it with you, but while we are still here we can use money wisely or not.

The plate is lifted in church at most services as a sign of our giving to our immensely generous God and that we are cheerfully giving him something back. I need the banks to help me with this challenge and that is why a regular monthly payment comes in whether it be to church or charities. It is important to be organized with our finances, but not just for ourselves. I believe our giving in percentage terms keeps us on the straight and narrow and we become, in the words of St Paul, “a cheerful giver”. Finally, do you remember Mary in John's Gospel who anointed Jesus's feet with 'pure nard' and then dried it with her hair? Somewhat unusual to say the least and it was then also. The audience were shocked and scandalised by this action and Judas was vocal in his criticism of the loving act (which was like anointing a body after death, rather than before!!!) It quotes the value of the nard as being equivalent to a man's wage for virtually a year of work. Was she rich, crazy or what? The answer is neither of these things. Instead, she did this to indicate her love for Jesus. She knew Jesus. Her brother Lazarus had just been brought back from death. The story shows that the more we know of Jesus, the more our life and our perspective of life changes. Jesus loves each one of us so much that he gives us the freedom to go through our life free to draw near to him or to reject him and his love. Mary drew near to Jesus. Her love for the son of God grew and grew. The raising of Lazarus was probably the ultimate act of love from Jesus for her family. Jesus's love is like that isn't it? How can we love him back?

Blessings

Andrew

Coffee, Cake and Prayer @ the HUB OPEN TO ALL ACROSS THE PARISH

All welcome to come and enjoy

free tea/coffee, cake, chit-chat and led prayer

Friday 3rd November 10.30am - 12noon

Come with friends or simply on your own

From the Parish RegistersFrom the Parish RegistersFrom the Parish RegistersFrom the Parish Registers

We welcome into our church family…We welcome into our church family…We welcome into our church family…We welcome into our church family…

Harvey Ward, Stanley Hitchings, Aria-Jane Pickering,

Lucy Rusling, Emma Gomersal, Skye Laverton

We celebrate the marriage of… We celebrate the marriage of… We celebrate the marriage of… We celebrate the marriage of…

Andrew Pattimore and Natalie Patton,

Richard Ellis and Sheona Harper,

Matthew Heddon and Eleanor Ames,

Andrew O’Neill and Emma Whitehead

We give thanks for the life of….We give thanks for the life of….We give thanks for the life of….We give thanks for the life of….

Eira Leaman

To book a baptism for children living in the parish or a wedding please contact the Parish Office.

email knaresboroughparishoffice@gmail.com

Tel. Jennifer Bradley (01423) 869209

God of Mission Who alone brings growth to your Church, Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, And power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Team News

Visit to St Luke’s Holbeck

We are visiting St Luke’s Holbeck on Sunday 5th November. Services at 8am St Johns, 9am Goldsborough and 10.45 Holy Trinity are unaffected for those who cannot travel to Holbeck, but there will be NO 10.30am service at St John’s. For all those interested, we are hiring a coach to take us there and back for the morning service. PLEASE NOTE - EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CHURCH SERVICES TAKING PLACE ACROSS OUR TEAM, IT IS HOPED THAT CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS FROM ALL OUR CHURCHES WILL MAKE HOLBECK THEIR PRIORITY THAT MORNING!!!!!!! Garry

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal We are once again collecting shoeboxes to send to needy children around the word. If you would like to take part, please take a leaflet from one of our churches, wrap and

fill your shoebox according to the instructions, and return it to church by Sunday, 19th November at the latest. Thank you For more information, please contact junegraham1961@gmail.com Tel 07759 619780

Ladies Social Evening

Tuesday 5th December 7.30pm at The Mitre, Knaresborough

All Welcome

Please contact Rev’d Claire Renshaw

for further details Tel:07912104442

Another opportunity for ‘us men’ to get

together and simply enjoy a curry!

Date: Thursday 9th November @ 7pm

Venue: Zolsha, 38 High Street, Knaresborough

Cost: Any Starter, Main Course, Rice or Naan & Glass of House Wine - £9.95

All (men) are welcome…please let Garry know if you’d like to attend so we can let the restaurant

know numbers. Thanks Tel:01423 202092

St.John's News & Events

….........From the Choir Stalls As you read this we will have just completed our October half term trip to sing Choral Evensong in Selby Abbey and will

already be rehearsing music for Advent and Christmas. Where did the year go? Here are a few musical and social highlights to look forward to in November and early December. ENSEMBLE BOQUHAN CONCERT On Saturday 4th November 2017 at 7. 30pm St John’s will host a concert by Ensemble Boquhan, a Trio of Flute (Fiona Mancey-Jones), Violin (Valerie Pearson) and Piano (Panos Demopoulos), who will perform a wide variety of repertoire. Tickets priced £10, £8 (concessions) and £5 (under 14's) available on the door. FIREWORKS PARTY

On Monday 6th November 2017 at 7. 30pm we will be holding our annual Fireworks Party (weather permitting) on the churchyard at the west end of the church. Please bring along some Fireworks to contribute to the display. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided. This event is open to all members of the congregation and their families, so please come along and join members of the choir, band and

JAM for a fun evening which always goes with a bang! YOUNG PERFORMERS CONCERT The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra concert at the Royal Hall on Saturday 18th November 2017 at 7.30pm will feature three outstanding young performers as soloists. Alexandra Clarke (Flute) played at our FEVA concert in 2016 and captivated the audience with her talent,

enthusiasm and personality. Becky Else (Violin) has previously performed in St John’s with Knaresborough Pro-Musica and Ben Messenger (Cello) played in our performances of the Rutter Requiem and Mozart Coronation Mass earlier this year. Please support these talented young musicians if you can. Further details at: www.harrogateorchestra.co.uk. PRESENTATION TO DAVID SALTER We will be marking David Salter’s recent retirement as Organist and Choirmaster with two special services at St John’s on Sunday 26th November 2017, the Feast of Christ the King. The morning service will be a Choral Eucharist (there is an All Age Service the preceding Sunday) and there will be Choral Evensong in the afternoon at 4.00pm. Please come along and join us in celebrating David and Anne’s outstanding contribution to the musical life of our church over the past 31 years. DECEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Musical events at St John’s to look forward to in December are

as follows: Sunday 3rd December at 4.00pm – Advent Carol Service Monday 4th December at 2.00pm –

Music for All Concert – Forest School Wednesday 6th December at 6.00pm – Music for All Concert Sunday 10th December at 6.00pm – Christmas Tree Festival Concert Thursday 21st December at 7.30pm – Charity Pub Carol Singing (all welcome, meet at the HUB) Sunday 24th December at 7.00pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Friday 29th December at 5.15pm – St John’s Choir sing Choral Evensong at York Minster You can find out lots more information about the Choir and music at St John’s, including links to the Calendar and Music Lists on our website: stjohnschoir.org.uk Mark

............From the Belfry

Up your tower – St John’s Bell news, Aug/Sep 2017 - Part 2 The Bell Ringers have had a busy summer, so my article is presented in two parts. We started by surprising some members of the congregation on the Isle of Man and finished by contributing to the FEVA, Blind Jack's birthday celebrations and National Heritage Open Day. Part 1 related to the Isle of Man, and this is Part 2, written by our historical correspondent Fabian McStedman, relates to the rest.

We have been celebrating the 300th birthday of John Metcalf, “Blind Jack of Knaresborough,” ringing on the bells installed in the tower of St. John’s during his lifetime, and he would have been well acquainted with

method ringing, especially on his trips to London. The first peals on the new bells of Knaresborough, installed in 1774, are recorded in 1776/7 as “ Knaresborough Evening Pleasure” and “Morning Pleasure”, which Cyril Wratten, in his book, Change Ringing, the history of an English Art thinks they were probably both peals of Grandsire Triples, still a favourite method. For the concert featuring Jack’s fiddle we rang courses of “Evening Pleasure Triples”. The next evening a special practice was arranged for Melanie to ring with her friend Jenny from Christ Church, Perth, Western Australia. When the bells were being hauled up into the tower in 1774, Captain Cook was only on his second expedition, and only a few Europeans had even seen the coast of western Australia.

On Jack’s birthday, a quarter peal, 1260 changes of Plain Bob Triples, was successfully negotiated, the first by a local band since 2012. The ringers were: Jeni C Dodds 1, Judith Coleman 2, Derrick McRobert 3, John T Burnup 4, Angus S Dodds 5, William Todd 6, John S Leech (conductor 7), and Matthew G Curl 8. It was Judith’s first quarter for “some considerable time”. Derrick was interviewed on Radio York in the morning and the reporter, Jo, was

fascinated to think of John Burnup and Bill Todd driving up from Kirk Deighton...on a Blind Jack road ... to join us.

At practice the same day, 300 changes of “Knaresborough Evening Doubles” were rung so that those unable to be in the quarter peal could take their part in the celebrations, the ringers were: Yvonne M Morgan 1, Jeni C Dodds 2, Judith Coleman 3, Melanie M Betts 4, Derrick McRobert (conductor) 5, Eleanor McRobert 6.

It is quite an established tradition now to ring on “Charter Day” , during FEVA week, celebrating the sealing of the charter granting Knaresborough a “free borough” and a weekly market to the town on 16 August 1311, and the ringing included Knaresborough “Noon” Delight Triples... ok ... it was Grandsire again!

The ringers’ Paella party took place on Saturday 2 September and a week later the band welcomed over 50 visitors to see the bells on Heritage Open Day, on Saturday 9 September, and, a new recruit. We always need new ringers, especially if ringing is to continue in Knaresborough. If you are interested in joining us, feel free to come to practices at 7:30 pm Tuesday evenings or contact Matt Curl, Tower Captain on 868104 or matthew.curl@ntlworld.com. You don’t need to be big or strong or musical. You just need to able to count to 8. All welcome, young or old or in-between.

Matt Curl, Tower Captain

............From the classroom

Harvest Festival - A colourful harvest festival was celebrated by St John’s Primary School children as they gathered together with parents, staff and members of the church community at St John’s church recently. Poems, songs, and messages of thanks were presented by each class for everyone to enjoy, during a service led by the Rev Garry. Children also brought generous offerings of food to the front of the church, which were then donated to the Knaresborough Food Bank

Sanctuary Week All in St John’s school are looking forward to our next Sanctuary Week, which this term will be set up in the church, beginning on Monday 13th November.

The theme will be STAR TREK – not (much to the disappointment of Rev Garry!) the much-loved TV series and film, but instead a

contemplative journey preparing our hearts and minds ahead of Advent.

During the week, every member of our school community will explore the Sanctuary Space, reflecting on different aspects of our personal

spiritual journeys by engaging in hands-on activities in a calm environment.

To close the Sanctuary Week, the school’s Collective Worship team will participate in morning worship on Sunday 19th November, inviting the congregation to explore the Sanctuary stations, adding everyone’s contributions to the displays, thereby cementing the link between church and school in a visual fashion. We very much look forward to seeing you there.

Jenny Byers (School RE & Collective Worship lead)

.................From the Flower Guild Harvest Festival as always was a veritable feast of flowers , fruit and veg. Autumn throws up beautiful colours and gives such a feeling of abundance and well-being.... and a realisation of how thankful we should be for the produce of our planet earth. As ever within our group of flower arrangers joy is often accompanied by sadness as we arranged flowers in the church and in the hall in preparation for a service of thanksgiving in memory of a very good friend Rodney Littlewood. Rodney was not only a friend, but also a tireless and indispensable help with our

preparations for the Christmas Tree Festival. He was every where, fetching and carrying and the church would ring with cries of “ where is Rodney”. Then looking immaculate in a St John’s pinny, and with a few jokes, he would be selling mulled wine with Brian. One of my funniest moments was watching him and Brian trying to transport a 15ft wooden replica tree on the smallest wheelbarrow I have ever seen and they succeeded. We shall miss him so much and as Sue remarked, providing flowers and food for those who gathered to remember him was the last thing we could do for him. The November 11th Remembrance service will see the church decorated as usual with poppy wreaths. One of my personal wishes is to replace our ancient poppies with new ones for next year. Who knows.... Helen Metcalfe has retired after a number of years as minutes secretary gallantly making sense of our often lively discussions. Thank you Helen.

If you would be interested in joining us to arrange flowers and/or take notes at our meetings please contact Bernice 866539 or Antje 860463

Pat Hewitson .....a personal reflection on David Salter’s retirement The formal recognition in November of David Salter’s retirement after 31 years as Organist and Choirmaster at St John’s stirred up my treasure chest of memories. Following many years of worship in military churches we were already members of St John’s congregation. David’s arrival at St.John's was particularly significant to me as it was only a year after my husband’s death. I remember Mark Hunter along with other talented and personable emerging young men with good voices and a definite sense of mischief. With the help of the boys and girls in the trebles beautiful music was available on my doorstep. I would like to share a few of those memories. Carol singing in the days leading up to Christmas, when I and many others would

be invited to indulge in a glass of wine and a mince pie with Sir Arthur and Lady Elizabeth Collins as we awaited the arrival of the choir. The sight of them singing in the holly bedecked hall of that old house reminded me of a Victorian Christmas card and of course they were rewarded with a drink and a mince pie, eaten I remember by the children sitting on the stairs. Then when my grandson became a treble, I became a transporter, so was fortunate to be with them when they sang for the Macmillan carol service in the chapel at Rudding Park. We followers were given a seat by the choir stalls in the packed church as we listened to the unforgettable sound of those treble and men’s voices soaring to the rafters. Afterwards the choir were invited into the Hall for refreshments and to sing to the Christmas guests. I shall never forget the sight and the sound of the choir in their red cassocks, children standing on the staircase as they sang Silent Night. It was magical. One Christmas Eve I discovered that some choir members stayed in the (then) cold and dismal church hall between the carol service and rehearsal for Midnight mass. “Come to my house” I said and so began a tradition. Over the years bottles of wine have appeared and a variety of food as my cottage miraculously expanded to accommodate an unspecified number of choir and friends, although the gathering is now smaller and more sedate. At 11pm there would be a general exodus for rehearsal. Songs of Praise was televised a few years ago at St John’s and with the help of other local choirs ours was the star. A very exciting experience not least because we, the flower , were given £1000 by the BBC to provide two stunning pedestal arrangements. Always a member of the choir’s fan club I have attended barbecues, bonfire nights and annual dinners, where a number of witty and funny home grown lyrics were aired, not to mention memorable speeches executed by David. One year we were entertained with a perfect re-enactment of Dad’s Army with Richard Darke making the perfect Captain Manwering and Ian playing the stupid boy Pike. Shakespeare it was not, but hilarious,

I have not missed one choir concert in 30 years, not even the year I broke my leg and then I was rescued due to a choir rehearsal for Evensong. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was mowing the grass in the Remembrance garden where ashes are buried and I tripped over the mower, landing at the bottom of the steps by the north door. Richard Darke was walking with his dog and found me.... at least his dog did. Richard rang 999 and my daughter and still made rehearsal on time!! Thank you David for giving me and many others 31 years of glorious music. I have now watched more than one generation of trebles leave to take their places in the world and may it continue for another 31 years. Pat Hewitson

Dates for your Diary.

SUNDAY 5th November....Parish visit to our link church, St.Luke's Holbeck Leeds. Coach will leave Henshaws' Arts & Crafts Centre at 9.15am. The 10.30am service will be followed by lunch, leaving at 2.30pm for return to Knaresborough. Cost will be a £5 contribution to travel costs. Please see Pam Thomas to book a place.

SUNDAY 19th November....we will be joined at our 1 0. 30am service by members of the Collective Worship Group from St.John's School who will be leading part of our worship. Please do join us after the service for a light lunch in the HUB.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL (Apologies for wrong dates in last issue) The CORRECT dates for the Festival this year are PREVIEW EVENING FRIDAY 1st DECEMBER Festival open from Saturday 2nd Dec until Sunday 10th Dec - open every day between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily, except Sundays when its open between 12noon and 4pm. See centre pages on how to enter your tree for free.

Help Save 6th Knaresborough Rainbows

6th Knaresborough Rainbows meets at St Mary's Church Hall and is facing closure after 24 years working with girls aged 5-7 years. The unit is currently small and is in need of a new team of volun-teer leaders and helpers who would bring a fresh perspective and be able to grow numbers. You can help us create amazing oppor-

tunities for girls in our local community. New volunteer leaders and helpers are given training, full support and a mentor to work alongside. If you would like to know more about the level of commitment required and how that might work for you, please do not hesitate to contact me so that I may answer any queries you have. Alternatively do you know someone, friend or family, who would make a great leader? Simone Akouri, Knaresborough District Rainbow Advisor & Leader 1st Knaresborough Rainbows, 01423 546333, mimsimone@hotmail.com

Live lectures: £8 per morning, or season ticket £25 for the series of four, including breakfast and mid-

morning refreshments. Students: £5 per session or £15 for the season payable on the day in cash or by cheque made out to St Peter’s Church Harrogate.

Revd David Runcorn: The road to growth less travelled –

spiritual paths in a missionary church

November 18, 2017 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

We are in unfamiliar country. A faith urgently needs to seek new ways of being

present to a culture adri� from any spiritual roots and unable to recognise its

loss. We will be exploring, experimen�ng and in conflict for the foreseeable fu-

ture. ‘We do not see what we shall become’ (1 John 3.2). This is both exci�ng

and disorienta�ng. How individuals and communi�es are to live and pray faith-

fully through such �mes needs much wisdom. Jesus describes his way of life as

less travelled (Ma,hew 7.13-14). I want to explore the challenge to Chris�an

growth and maturing in our present context. In a church that is seeking to make

‘all the difference’ are there pathways of the spirit that remain ‘less travelled’?

Venue St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate

The Rt Revd John Pritchard: Five Events that Changed the World

January 27, 2018 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Bishop John will be exploring what holds together the ‘big five’ of the Chris�an

faith: incarna�on, the cross, resurrec�on, ascension and Pentecost. What are

they all really about and how can we grasp their significance intellectually and

spiritually? Big issues made accessible.

Culinary and cropping curiosities By Sophy Potager

November is a dull month in every way. It is getting darker, but Christmas and the winter solstice are still far away. But while it stays mild I am still cropping courgettes. Stored onions and apples can still be processed. I had so many onions this year that I have been looking for different ways of preserving them. I gave a recipe for onion bhajis last month. Recently I used the internet to find recipes for onion marmalade, a product I enjoy when eating out. The recipes I found were bland, though marmalades do need to be stored for some months to develop their flavour. I will experiment with adding various spices – chilli certainly, ginger, garam masala, turmeric? Does anyone have a successful spicy onion marmalade which I can try out? Meanwhile I shall keep making and freezing potato, courgette and basil soup.

And in the veg patch November is a dull month in the garden too. There are some essential jobs however, but whatever you are doing, try to avoid standing on the bare soil of flower or vegetable beds. The soil will compact easily now as it is moist (if not downright wet) and worm activity, which aerates and loosens it, is minimal during the cold months. If it is essential to reach the back of wide borders stand on a plank to spread your weight. Some people choose to start off sweet peas at this time. Plant the seeds individually in compost filled deep pots (or toilet roll insides). Cover, water and stick in the cold frame or cold greenhouse until March) Leaves need to be collected and put in a wire cage to form leaf mould. (If you don’t have a cage and only a few leaves they will rot down satisfactorily in black bin bags if given a bit of water and placed in a sheltered area). Leaf mould can be used to enrich and aerate flower and vegetable beds.

Tender plants, such as begonias and dahlias, need to be lifted from the garden and the corms stored in a frost free shed, while pot plants that are tender, such as non-hardy fuschias and pelargoniums need to be moved to the greenhouse or cold-frame, ready to be cut back and restarted in the spring. One way of livening up the gloomy months is to prepare pots of bulbs for the spring. If you start with a largish deep pot and layer the planting you can have colour well beyond spring. Put some crocks in the bottom of the pot and then one third fill with a good peat-free compost. If you can find them, autumn flowering nerines go in the bottom. Add a few inches of compost, then alliums, just one allium christopheri or maybe three of the smaller spiky ones, some more compost, then half a dozen tulip bulbs, more compost, than half a dozen small narcissi, such as tete-a-tete, then a little more compost and some crocuses or snowdrops. If there is still room then you can top it up with a few bright pansies. Give it some water and put it in a sunny spot where you can see it from your armchair or kitchen window. One of these makes an excellent present for a friend with a small courtyard or balcony, and a planter like this is also good fun for children to make for a grandparent.

Christopher Johnson: watch and clockmaker.

Recently, the parish office had a request for information from Catonsville, Maryland, USA. Every evening, on his way to bed, Alfred winds his long-case clock made by “C. Johnson, Knaresbro”. As he approaches his 90th birthday Alfred asked for any information about the maker, before he passes the clock on! The Universal British Directory- 1793 listed “Christopher Johnson, watchmaker” in the High Street and I think it is the same Christopher Johnson who rang in the first peal (Knaresborough Evening Pleasure ) on the bells on Christmas Day 1776. I found that two books on Yorkshire clock makers mentioned that the business was continued in the High Street by Hannah and Mary Johnson, but not sure yet if they are mother and daughter or both daughters. Mary describes herself as “retired Jeweller” in the 1851 census. Confusingly, Christopher and his wife Hannah also had a son, another Christopher! The older Christopher’s working life must have started before 1774, he voted in 1807, and is listed as “watchmaker and Goldsmith” in Baines Directory 1822. Does any reader have a Chris Johnson clock, or know anything about him and his family or are related to the clock-making family? Derrick McRobert

St.John'sSt.John'sSt.John'sSt.John's

Holy TrinityHoly TrinityHoly TrinityHoly Trinity

Sunday

November 5th

8am – BCP Communion

No 10.30am—

Visit to St Luke’s, Holbeck

10.45am All Age

Sunday

November 12th REMEMBRANCE

8am—BCP Communion

9.30am

Remembrance at St John’s

followed by parade to castle 11.am

War Memorial in castle grounds

10.45am

Remembrance

Sunday

November 19th

8am – BCP Communion

10.30am SERVICE

4pm -Encounter

10.45am Sung

Eucharist

Sunday

November 26th

8am—BCP Communion

10.30am

Choral Eucharist

4pm -Evensong

10.45am

Sung Eucharist

Sunday

November 5th

Sunday

November 12th

Sunday

November 19th

Sunday

November 26th

St Mary’sSt Mary’sSt Mary’sSt Mary’s

GGGGoldsborougholdsborougholdsborougholdsborough

St John’sSt John’sSt John’sSt John’s BreartonBreartonBreartonBrearton

St Paul & St St Paul & St St Paul & St St Paul & St MargaretMargaretMargaretMargaret

NiddNiddNiddNidd

9am BCP Holy

Communion

10.30am Matins

9am

Remembrance

10.30am

BCP Holy Communion

9am Holy

Communion

10.30am Matins

9am Holy

Communion

10.30am

BCP Holy Communion

Holy Communion Services are held every Wednesday in Knaresborough at Holy Trinity at

10am and at St John’s 11am

Morning Prayer every Thursday in Goldsborough at St Mary’s at 10am

Individuals, families and groups eg. schools, shops, businesses, clubs and societies are invited to enter a decorated tree to make the 2017 St John’s Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival the biggest and best. There is no entry fee. Your “Tree” can be 10cms or 10 metres high. It may be real, artificial or crafted/handmade. Trees may be traditional or modern, plain or elaborate, be themed, tell a story, depict your organization OR JUST BE DIFFERENT! The only limit is your imagination and afterwards your tree goes home with you for Christmas. Trees should be brought to St John’s church on Thursday 30th November between 10am – 8pm (they can be decorated in church or prior to delivery) and collected on Monday 11th December between 10am – 8pm. If you and/or your organisation would like to participate please complete the attached Entry Form and email it to Joyce Purkis at knartreefest@gmail.com.

Deadline for receipt of Entry Forms and for

inclusion in the Christmas Tree programme is

17th November.

St John’s Church, Knaresborough

Christmas Tree Fes0val 1st

– 10th

DECEMBER 2017 Registra0on / Programme Entry Form

Name: (e.g. School, Business, Group, Family, Individual)…………………………………………….. …………….………………………………………………………………………………… Child category - Yes/No Adult Category - Yes/No Contact name …………………………………………………………….. Email address:………………………………………..…………………………………… Contact Phone: …………………………………………………………….. Title of Tree : ……………………………………………………………. Please write a few ( <25 ) words about your Tree for entry in the Festival Programme

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... LED battery powered lights are ideal but please indicate if you will need a power supply Yes /No Would you like to help with stewarding of the event Yes / No PLEASE COMPLETE ALL SECTIONS OF THE FORM & RETURN to JOYCE PURKIS at knartreefest@gmail.com before 17th NOVEMBER (deadline essential for printing of programme).

Quiz Evenings. Holy Trinity started holding quiz evenings many years ago with Tom Gibson as Quizmaster. He evolved a highly successful format which is still followed though with different quizmasters. The quiz is always on a Friday evening at 7.30p.m. The cost at present is £4.00 per person and for that you get a fantastic evening of cheerful companionship, mental stimulation and a great supper. Teams of 2, 3 or 4 compete over eight rounds, four of which are general knowledge, with a break for supper after round four. Supper consists of sausage rolls, scones (baked by Barbara Gibson) and scrumptious cakes (baked by Dot Jelbert and Jan Fletcher with some contributions from others). The chocolate cake and coffee cake are to die for, but there are plenty of alternatives. After supper there is a raffle. Some time ago we decided to continue the tradition of several very cheap raffle prizes (this is a fund rising event after all) rather that have one or two reasonable prizes. Past prizes have included sinister cat, which made several appearances before being won by Denise Daniel, and demented hedgehog. The winning team members all get a small prize. Do come and join us. The hall is now lovely and warm and the new toilets are well worth a visit. You are assured of a cheerful welcome, and maybe, if Denise is fed up with her ornamental raffle prize, a chance to be the proud owner of the sinister cat. Dates of the next quizzes; Friday 27th Oct, Friday 24th Nov, Friday 23rd Feb. 2018, Friday 23rd Mar. (N.B. Not the last Friday), Friday 27th. Apr. Friday 25th May.

The renovation of the toilets in the Holy Trinity parish hall was completed on schedule, and the new facilities are now in use. Normark Builders from Pontefract in association with SS Electrical from Leeds, did a splendid job for us. We have also now arranged

for our newly renovated facilities to be twinned with several toilets in Guatemala, including a school block, using the money raised last year at our Harvest Festival. This year’s Harvest Lunch was also a great success and raised a total of £342.50 which will again go to Guatemala, this time via CMS to support Azaria in her work there.

Work Party–Holy Trinity-Saturday 25th November, 10am-12 midday. We would be SO GRATEFUL for volunteers to help with tidying the church grounds (please bring your own tools i.e trowel ,gloves, brush, – there are lots of leaves to collect and bag). Don’t worry if it rains, there will be plenty to do inside the church ! Many thanks, we do appreciate your help.

Licensing of Denise Cullingworth as a Reader Denise Cullingworth was licensed by Nick, Bishop of Leeds, as a Diocesan Reader (formerly known as “Lay” Reader) at Ripon Cathedral on October 7th. Along with seven other candidates, Denise has been in rigorous training for the role for the past three years: we were delighted for her, proud of her commitment and focus, and expectant that her important contribution to the life of the Knaresborough Team Ministry will be further enhanced.

My thoughts on the service were • that it’s marvellous that folk are willing to put in so much effort, • that we are all called to offer

our gifts (separate, different) to the service of the Lord,

• that we are intended to work together – cooperate and collaborate,

• that we all are participant in God’s mission as the laity, the laos, the

people of God, • and that a great value of

“lay” (here meaning ‘non-ordained’) ministry is relating faith to the day-to-day in which it is grounded. Bill Snelson

Thank you to all those who have supported me with their love and prayers over the past two years and at my licensing service at Ripon cathedral. All very much appreciated. Denise. Nidderdale Messiah – Once again Holy Trinity is hosting this event on Sunday 26th November. Everyone welcome to what has always

FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER At 7pm

Come and sing Handel’s Messiah on 26 November

Musicians and soloists have already been confirmed for the 2017 Nidderdale Messiah, which this year will once again take place at Holy Trinity Church, Knaresborough on Sunday 26 November. The conductor will be local musician and choral director David Andrews. The Nidderdale Messiah is a ‘Come and Sing’ rehearsal and performance of Handel’s Messiah, with the proceeds going to a different local charity each year. Last year was the thirteenth anniversary and we raised over £4,000 for Harrogate Homeless Project. This year we are supporting Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) and we hope to raise a similar amount.

Harrogate Easier Living Project works with volunteers to help older or disabled people in the community to remain independent in their own homes. Help has three main services: Opening Doors, Help at Home and Driving Force. For more details about the wonderful work they do, please go to their website www.helpharrogate.org.uk All Nidderdale Messiah 2017 proceeds will go to the charity to help them in their work in the local area. The conductor, soloists, musicians and the host church will be offered basic expenses but are all waiving their professional fees to help this good cause.

The singers’ rehearsal starts at 1.00pm and, after a short break for refreshments, the performance will start at 3.30pm.If you enjoy a good sing or would just like to listen to a resounding local performance of Handel’s “Messiah”, please help us to make this 14th anniversary performance the best yet and raise the roof for our charity. Donations of £12 are suggested from those attending as singers or audience. Programmes will be provided. All places must be reserved in advance. For further information and booking forms visit www.nidderdalemessiah.org.uk or ring 01423 870512 for details.

Harvest Supper – Saturday 14th October 2017 Over 50 people attended our Harvest Supper at Goldsborough Cricket Club and were treated to a tasty and substantial supper of jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings followed by a wide choice of puddings. We had a great evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Our fantastic team of organisers, bakers, cooks, servers, waitresses, washers, raffle ticket sellers and MC and Quizmaster were co-ordinated by Jackie resulting in an excellent evening of fellowship and community which went smoothly without any hitches. A really great team effort and great financial result, raising £410 which will go towards restoration works to our lovely Grade 1 Listed Church building. We extend our sincere thanks to all those involved in putting together the event. The end result was reward enough for all the effort and we look forward to next Harvest.

CHRISTMAS at The Church of St Mary the Virgin

During the summer the call went out to budding artists, designers and poets to design Christmas cards to be sold on behalf of the

church to raise money to aid with restoration work on our wonderful Grade 1 Listed Building. The competition was open to all and the three categories were “The Young, The Not-so-Young and The Young at Heart”. 12 entries were submitted which were judged by the Rev. Jo with our churchwarden, Tom Lywood and his assistant Paul Kerwin who were impressed by the variety of entries showing the amazing talents of some of our congregation. The winners were; The Young Dominic Twiggs (aged 6) The Not so Young – Sarah Wade (age unspecified!) The Young at Heart – Paul Dunstan (slowly maturing) The cards are on sale at £1.50 each or £12 for 10 in church or from Tom Lywood (Tel: 860965)

The Children’s Society House Boxes Very well done to everyone who has a House Box to collect loose change during the year. Including a generous individual donation, this year we have raised £423.79, which is excellent. Last year, over £1.6 million in loose change was collected - an incredible achievement. Every single penny collected goes towards changing the lives of our coun-try’s most vulnerable young people. In particular the Society works with young carers, helping to support them with their difficult lives. So let us try even harder this coming year, and get those boxes filled! If you do not have a box, but would like to start collecting, please speak to Sue Michael, 864275. Thank you everyone!

Corrie's Corner Corrie is our Mission Partner, working at Kiwoko

Hospital in Uganda as clinical lead for womens' health.

We have not heard from Corrie for a little while, but we know that there is a great shortage of doctors at Kiwoko and Corrie will have been working extremely hard under very hot, trying conditions. Corrie relies upon her faith to give her the strength to face the many challenges that she, and all the staff at Kiwoko, face every day. Please pray for Corrie on a regular basis, if you can and for all the staff at Kiwoko, who rely upon the hospital for their livelihood. Kiwoko hospital is run entirely upon charitable donations and a small amount of international funding. Please pray for the continued generosity of many groups and individuals who support the hospital every year. If you would like to learn more about Kiwoko please vis-it www.kiwokohospital.org We look forward to seeing Corrie again in the Spring.

Thank you.

MACMILLAN COFFEE

MORNING 2017

The success of events like the

Macmillan Coffee Morning does

not rely on one person. It relies on many different people

getting involved and working together. In this case, a

group of ladies greeting, making and serving coffee, baking,

making, donating, selling, looking after the money and

generally keeping the event running – not to mention the

two husbands who decorated the outside of the hall and the

archway in the rain!

They also needed to be optimistic this year – the first wet

morning since I’ve been involved – and boy did it rain! At

10 o’clock the rain was falling in stair-rods and I was feeling

quite despondent. However, I had not reckoned with the

tenacity of Macmillan supporters who made their way to the

hall – some by car but some trudging up the cobbles in the

pouring rain. The Town Crier arrived to support us and do a

couple of shouts in the town (not that there were many folk

about) and I am afraid the feather in his hat suffered a bit.

The Rev Jo opened the Coffee Morning with some

encouraging words and then the spending began.

Unbelievably, by the end of the morning we had made

£1,338.26 – an absolutely fantastic but completely

unexpected amount.

So the efforts made by anyone who helped in anyway were

hugely rewarded and they all deserve an enormous THANK

YOU!

Now for the advert! Next year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning

will be our 25th and it would be so good to make it an extra

special ‘silver’ event. Any thoughts or ideas would be

welcomed.

Christine Cope

On the 24th September 2018, it will be 800 years since the death of St Robert of Knaresborough, and we’re planning to make the year one to remember! St Robert dedicated his life to serve God and neighbour, although from what we know it wasn’t always an easy path. Perhaps most people in Knaresborough think that Robert was a bit of a recluse, shut up in a cave at a safe distance

from the town – but nothing could be further from the truth. St Robert (although never officially canonised) was renowned across Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Writing in 1250, the historian Matthew Paris named Robert as one of the leading 'personalities' of the 13th century, along with St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Edmund of Pontigny. This was a period of great religious and spiritual energy and devotion, and Robert played his part in a major way. As well as this international renown, he had more than one significant encounter with the local dignitaries, and was even visited by King John toward the end of his life. But his real passion was to support the needs of the people of Knaresborough, both spiritual and physical. His small group of followers, labourers on the land and on their knees, were the ‘go-to’ place for people in need as well as those seeking counsel – a wise word from a spiritual and saintly character who knew where his ultimate allegiance lay. The main events to celebrate St Robert’s life will fall on the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd September next year. At the moment, this looks like being made up of an ecumenical Church service, a musical extravaganza and a feast – of course! However, we’re hoping that by then the town will have become far more familiar with this relatively unknown character in our history. The co-ordinating group is planning activities that will, for example, use drama, music and art to celebrate St Robert’s live; provide the schools of Knaresborough with material about St Robert’s life; organise walks and pilgrimage opportunities around the sites that were familiar to him; improve the site of the cave itself; bring together historians and archaeologists to share their understanding of life at the time St Robert’s; and to publicise the celebrations and share St Robert’s story as widely as possible. Our goals for the celebration are to: � Inform and educate as many people as possible in Knaresborough and beyond about the life of St Robert; � To celebrate St Robert's life in ways that make him relevant to 2018; � To honour St Robert’s memory in the quality and safety of the site at St Robert’s cave; and � To build a legacy that will benefit the people of Knaresborough into the future. If you want to find out more there is a website at www.strobertofknaresborough.org.ukwhere you can make contact and keep in touch with news as it emerges.

Peter Lacey

PARISH LADIES

Parish Ladies are going out to Carriages for a meal on Wednesday 8th November.

Visitors are welcome. Christine Cope (868545)

Meditation Group Meditation Group meet every 3rd Wednesday

in the month

at 56 Aspin Oval All Welcome

Contact Helen Metcalfe Tel 865343

KNARESOROUGH MOTHERS’ UNION

Mother's Union will meet on Tuesday 14

November at 2.15 pm in St John's Hall when Mrs Jane Abramson will be

talking about 'My Grandfather -

A Mayor in WW1'. Visitors are always welcome to join us.

Many thanks.

Christine Cope (868545)