St Andrew's, Dearnley

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

The fund to pay for the Wider Welcome project, on which work is expected to start later in the summer, received a timely boost of nearly £600 from money raised at last Saturday's Midsummer Concert, featuring the brass bands from local primary schools.

Poor weather meant the bands had to perform, in the main, in church, but that in no way lessened the enjoyment of the large turn-out of parents, friends, the families of the talented young musicians and our own regular churchgoers.

Our vicar, the Rev Sharon Jones, told the musicians they were "brilliant" --- a rating clearly endorsed by the audience judging by the rousing applause.

Still on the Wider Welcome theme, anyone with Smartie tubes full of 20p pieces is asked to return them as soon as possible.

And Ken Harper, Ken Jones or any other member of the project team would love to hear from anyone who is prepared to sell tickets for our holiday prize draw, another fund-raiser for Wider Welcome.

A ticket costs £5, but the prize is fantastic - a week's stay for up to six people in a five-star, gold-rated and luxurious three-bedroom apartment at Torquay with spectacular sea views from a spacious balcony.

The draw will take place on Sunday, September 29 so anyone requiring a book of ten, for instance, has plenty of time to start selling !

Diary dates:

Saturday, July 13, Vicar's Garden Party from 3pm, weather permitting.

Saturday, July 27, 7.30pm, George's 70th birthday party at St Aidan's, Sudden (please sign list in parish room).

Saturday, September 21, parish trip to Coventry Cathedral (please sign list in parish room).

We have our usual services this Sunday, June 23, 8am Eucharist and 10am Sung Eucharist, with Holy Baptism at noon.

Parish rota: lay assistants, J Mills, J Coomer; readers, S Knight, D Knight; Intercessions, R Polley; sidespersons, V Lucy, P Webster; refreshments, Graham, Sandra, Ashley.