The Church Family party was held in January and was attended by 100 guests. The Easter breakfast was organised
by Mrs Pam Hall and some of the Catering Committee and helpers, and enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you Pam.
We provided sandwiches and hot drinks for the Salvation Army when they played for Carols on the Forecourt in December,
and staffed the afternoon teas for Kirkwood Hospice on the same day.
Mrs Margaret Greenwood has had to resign from the committee recently. We would like to thank Margaret for all the work
she has done for the committee over many years. Mrs Marjorie Clarke was elected for a second term, and Mrs Margaret
Paylor has been elected for a first term of office, after a short break. We welcome anyone who would like to help with
any of the events, and anyone who would like to serve on the committee.
Thank you to all the committee for your hard work and support.
There are 17 churches in membership and all have been represented at Leadership Team meetings, United Services and Churches
Together events, although only a few from some churches have attended the United Services. The Leadership team met on 5
occasions and we continued to witness for Christ with various events in the town, including the Christmas Crib, the Easter
Cross and Christian Aid Mini-market. We also raised funds for Christian Aid, Cafod and local charities by the sponsored
annual mini-walk. Many children in other parts of the world received a Christmas shoebox filled by our members. We
sent in excess of 340 boxes ( Longcauseway URC sent 88).
Three prayer breakfasts and United Services were held during the year, and a new initiative this year was United Youth
Services organised by and for the younger members of our churches and their friends. These services were very well
attended. We opposed the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill and were thankful when the bill was defeated. Thought for the
Week is featured in the Reporter every week.
We have spent some time seeking God’s will in connection with “New Hope”, an organisation which seeks to help those with
alcohol and/or drug addictions, based on Christian principles. Dewsbury Minster is already working with people with addictions
in Dewsbury, and we are being asked to become involved with this project, and to work in partnership with churches in Dewsbury
to support this outreach.
We have also been asked to support the Gospel Church and Branch FM, their Christian Radio Station. Branch FM have been granted
a 5 year community radio licence, and it was hoped it would be up and running live by now, but there have been some problems
with the Local Authority. They need new equipment and in all £20,000 is required. Branch FM already runs on the Internet,
broadcasting via the website www.branchfm.co.uk. Although it is organised by the Gospel Church it is available for all the
churches in Dewsbury.
The Faith Centre at Dewsbury Minster is open, and groups of school children are being taken round the church, and given an insight
into Christianity, as well as learning about the building and its history. Guides are required from different denominations and
will be given training. Anyone interested should contact Revd Kevin Partington or Mrs Mary Judkins at the Minster.
Pastor Paul Hudson was re-elected Moderator, Father Nicholas Hird, Deputy Moderator, Mrs Liz Exley, Secretary, Mr Roger Winterburn,
Treasurer and Mr Steve Thomas, Publicity Officer.
The 2006 weekend away took place in September , and for once the weather was very kind to us.
The party consisted of many of our regulars and two newcomers, who made up a party of 28 walkers on
the Saturday, and 26 who stayed for the whole weekend. Ages ranged from the very young to the ‘not so young’.
We split into two parties for the Saturday walk. The ‘easy walk’was from Clapham incorporating the
Ingleton Nature Trail up to Ingleborough Cave and Trow Gill. This was a very pretty walk with lots to see.
The climb up Trow Gill was quite steep and was achieved by about half of us as the less able and those
in charge of a buggy had already turned round when the path had become more difficult.
The more difficult walk was from Gearstones Lodge along part of the Roman Road, the Dales Way and the
Pennine Way, approximately 10 miles in all.
Unfortunately John and Valarie were unable to stay for the rest of the weekend.Maybe next year.
The Saturday evening was spent eating a hearty meal and playing games.We all enjoyed a ‘good laugh’.
On Sunday after breakfast and cleaning the Lodge most of the party travelled to Gargrave for a pleasant
walk along the canal.
All the party had a very enjoyable time and voted for another weekend away at Gearstones in 2007.
Saturday morning coffee does not seem to have lost its attraction for the shoppers of Dewsbury. They come in considerable numbers
to enjoy the delights of a warm hall, hot coffee, superior biscuits and cheerful helpers.
This doesn’t come about without the faithful service of those who are willing to give their time on a regular basis. So very sincere
thanks are due to those who do this. Special thanks are due to Margaret Greenwood who orders the biscuits and also to Kath Talbot who,
after years of faithful service, felt that it was time for her to retire.
We are, however, grateful to Kathleen Shaw who took over leadership of Kath’s team from Christmas 2006.
Although the teams are fully staffed at the moment, if there were more people willing to come on a regular basis we could form a sixth team,
thereby reducing the frequency of duties. It’s good, however, that a few people are willing to be called on to deputise during holidays etc..
If you would like your name to be added to either group please don’t hesitate to contact Pat Nunn.
The youth / Drama club restarted in October with 6 children attending, hopfully our numbers will grow throughout 2007. We try to meet once a month at church where we play table tennis, darts pool ect. and generally have fun.