United Benefice of Thornhill & Whitley Lower

Serving our local communities

Archive 2016

BAZAAR 2016 

Thanks everyone it was great day despite the strange weather. Many friends met up again after several years. Lots of new helpers and keen workers. People in new roles shared the work around. Thanks to all who worked so hard before hand in making and baking and preparing. Over £2200 raised towards our work in the community.

crucifixion

Look carefully, what do you see?

 

Super new You Tube photos of the church as never seen before from a friendly drone.  A click on the link should take you there.            https://youtu.be/Itu_BCZja2I

 

 

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Our organ whilst in Park Road Methodist Church  Huddersfield  a recently discovered photo courtesy Woods of Huddersfield

Organ at Park Road

 

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Take a look at the Giving to Others page to see where the Angels have donate the funds they raised in the café this year

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Churches Together logo
 

Christmas day Free Lunch at Longcauseway Church

Churches Together are organising Christmas Day lunch for those in need - families or individuals. 
There is a poster outside Longcauseway Church with more details about who to contact if you wish to access this event.

 

If you would like to support this event then donations are needed of Money, New Toys, Food which if needing to be cooked can be done on a hob or microwave and basic toiletries for men, women and children. Good winter clothing is also needed such as hats, gloves, sweaters and socks.

Money, food, toiletries and toys can be donated at the Yorkshire Building Society, Church Street, Dewsbury during opening hours.

Clothing can be brought to Longcauseway Church on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning, 10am -12 noon.

All donations will be received from the week beginning 5th December.

Brilliant Parish Lunch yesterday - thanks to Tony
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image via kurld.com    Remembrance Services
 Join us on Sunday 13th November at 10.45am for our
 Remembrance Services at either Thornhill or Whitley Churches - see poster for details
 
On the Churchyard page there is a new Power Point about those who died in two World Wars from Thornhill who are commemorated in our churchyard

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image from all free download.com
Also at Thornhill on Sunday 13th November at 3pm join us for a memorial service to remember those who have departed If there is someone you would like remembering by name, especially the recently departed please put their name on the lists at the back of church
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Harvest 2016
 
Auction 2016
Action shot of the auction
 
A wonderful busy day in Thornhill Church on Sunday 2nd October for
 our Harvest celebrations. 
Family Praise with Thanksgivings to a full church and then we held our Auction of produce for our chosen charity, Forget Me Not Hospice.
Over sixty people then shared in the Harvest Lunch and a wonderful time of fellowship.
Your generosity has raise over £800 - final figure in next weeks notice sheet
 
Thank you clipart from  clipartpanda.com
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The opening event of the Heritage weekend when we were delighted to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Kirklees with us

.Mayor Party
Stuart Hartley gave a fascinating talk on the history of churches along with tales about special things at Thornhill
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Craft Group  Coffee Day - thanks to the very many people who helped make this a success despite the poor weather. see some pictures   
here
 
 
 
The Teddy Bear's Picnic
James likes cheesZaccheaus
James and Zaccheaus
lots more pictures on Facebook 
- remember the song?
 
Tuesday 2nd August at the Rectory
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Long time away yet but the Fabulous Summer Fair reverts to July 8th 2017
next year - already planning it.
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Triumph for Collins family and our Mothers Union Branch Leader
Yorkshire Show Champions
Shorthorn champion
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The sound of a single muffled bell sounded at 7,30 this morning 1st July from the towers at Thornhill and Whitley Churches to remember those who were killed at the Battle of the Somme. At Thornhill we remembered all those killed in 1916
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        For older news please see our Archive page here
                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

Super performance yesterday with Overthorpe CE Academy and Tom Waltham and Paul O'Donoghue as part of the 'Let there be music project.' funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of our Organ Restoration Project.

Overthorpe Concert

 

Overthorpe singing 14 more pictures on Facebook. link

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Michael Clarke update Sunday June 26th.. Michael is home and doing well. He and Sue send thanks for the love and prayer which has surrounded them over the last few days. Sue is back at work on Saturday and at Church on Sunday
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The Battle of the Somme will be commemorated in our service on Sunday 3rd July 2016 in our prayers.  Click here for those who were killed. Read about the  bizzare way one family from Thornhill found out about their son being posted 'missing'.                                                            
  Find details of an exhibition in the Tower.
from the Somme 100 toolkit

 

The Battle of the Somme was fought at such terrible cost that it has come to symbolise the tragic futility of the First World War. Its first day of conflict remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army and it was felt deeply at home, in particular in those towns and villages which had raised Pals battalions and suffered horrible losses.

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 the If you are looking for fun things to do this July, why not drop into the Family Fun Day organised by Kumon Y'all on  Saturday 16th July

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BP at Overthorpe

 Buggy Praise visited the nursery at Overthorpe to share the story of Cecil the lost Sheep. We told the children the story with the help of puppets and the children joined in the songs with great enthusiasm. A lovely time!

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summer 2016

all ages enjoying this years Summer Fair - the weather kept us indoors but a fantastic day was had by all

 

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Next Gardening morning  2nd July 
a well earned rest
 
Churchyard Maintenance - over the last few months we have been lucky to have Community Payback working with us and the churchyard is looking wonderful. Our own colleagues work regularly on mowing and clear up. We need more help and therefore a series of dates have been arranged for others to help-
Starting Saturday 7th May from 9.30 - 12. Then on 4th June; 2July; 6th August; 10th September. If you want to come at any other time just turn up with tools and do some 
Angels Cafe will be closed 6th and 13th July for Holidays
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Thornhill J&I Let There be Music concert
As part of the Let There Be music project, Thornhill J&I School performed a concert of their own work with the help from our musical director 
Paul O’ Donoghue and using the restored organ. The music was wonderful and the whole audience really enjoyed listening to them play

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Great day at the Summer fair today lots of pictures on our Facebook page.

You are invited to Whitley Church to join us for coffee mornings this Summer

Whitley invite from JH 6/7_

Why not drop in to Dewsbury Minster on Saturday 25th June? Between 10 and 3 they are holding a festival of Arts and Culture with lots going on for everyone

See here for details

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Children's Activity Morning and Buggy Praise in June - within a few days of each other.

 
the old ones are best
Chilldrens activity June 2016Buggy PraiseChilldrens activity June 2016
Lots more pictures on our Facebook Page.
 
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weeding or grass strimming. If you would like to come any other regular time please get in touch- 07505 107808 or speak to the Rector or Wardens
 
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We were delighted to welcome children from Thornhill J&I School to give a concert of the work on a Silent Movie Accompaniment they'd been doing with Paul O'Donoghue. They gave a super concert! More photos available on our facebook page here

JI Concert 1a
 
JI Concert 2
 
JI Concert 3
 
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Apprenticeship opportunity - Kirklees Council are advertising for Apprentice Neighbourhood Assistants  - see here for details of the open day and how to book a place
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We have had some excellent events using the new organ recently. Gordon Stewart's recital was a super evening with Gordon on brilliant form. Many thanks to all who made the night possible. 
GS recital 1
GS recital 2
 
We have also had a visit from Thornhill J&I School and Overthorpe Academy for a demonstration of the refurbished organ. The children had a lovely time and showed great enthusiasm for the sounds of the organ. They particularly enjoyed having a go themselves!
Organ Demonstration 1 Organ Demonstration 2
More on our Music Page about future recitals.
 
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Join the church choir! 
 
Recruitment poster
 
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Great news from Lindsay Dew...
'It was announced in the Benefice yesterday that I am to be made Honorary Canon of The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban. This is a great honour and the invitation from Bishop Alan (of St Albans) came out of the blue in Holy Week. In the past week the churchwardens were asked by +Alan to make the announcement at the Sunday services. The Installation will take place during Evensong on Saturday 7th May at 4pm in the Cathedral. Parishioners, friends and colleagues are invited
This is absolutely great news for Lindsay as he starts a phased return
 to work on May 9th
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Angels Cafe Donations to April 2016
Angels Cafe to April 2016
Well done everyone

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Children from Thornhill J&I School visit church
TJI 1TJI 2TJI 3
More Pictures on our Facebook page 


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A full range of services this morning started at Sunrise and then 8 am Eucharist followed by our main services. Fullish church at Thornhill at 9.30. for the Blessing of the Easter Garden; the rededication of the restored organ and the Joyous worship in a church decked out with wonderful flower arrangements.
More pictures on Facebook.
Easter Candleorgn dedication 

May that Easter JOY be with all our Friends.
Joy
courtesyJoy Leeds Light.

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Wednesday of Holy Week - the table is prepared- service , talk and supper with Churches Together.Talk by Rev Simon Crook - Mathematician and Priest- talked about Black Holes; Love, Forgiveness, Death and God and Jesus and tied in with our Lent course on the The meaning of Everything based on the Stephen Hawking story. Of course TPC is the home of the Black Hole theory and the Rector in  the 1760,s Rev John Michel.
Photos- 'all is now ready' A thought provoking and friendly sharing together evening.
all is prepared 1    All is prepared
all is prepared chalices   chalices from all our churches

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A glorious Morning greeted visitors to Thornhill Parish Church for the annual Palm Sunday Procession with Jeremiah the donkey kindly brought along again by Marjorie Wheelhouse.
Jeremiah, sue and Marjorie
Followers
More pictures on our Facebook page

                                                                                                                 

An amazing night last Saturday with RevAndy Kelso as Elvis. An absolutely packed church, dancing in the aisles and enjoyment. All  this and with Andy's real Christian exeperience of life. Here is a link to the pictures
click here

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Huddersfield Parish Church invites you to join them for Choral Evensong to celebrate the birth oh Harold James Wilson on Friday 11th March at 3.45pm Please find invitation here with details for RSVP
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_Children's actvity morning March 2016
Here are photos of the craft work
CA March 2016

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Here are photos of the ongoing restoration of our organ The latest ones show the organ builder, Malcolm Spink,  'voicing' and repairing the Trumpet stop in the factory

click here to see photos on line
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Our huge churchyard
 is unergoing a transformation  as workers from the community Payback scheme  work to clear the heavily overgrown areas to make it easier to maintain. They are leaving a metre wide strip to encourage wildlife.  Forgotten graves can now been seen for the first time for a long time.
At the same time we have news that our colleague who has driven the motor mower and taken care of much of the maintenance work, for many years is having to give up using the mower due to peronal reasons. Many thanks to Michael for all his valued work for 30 years. He will still be doing lots of other work in the churhyard. We are on the lookout for people who would be willing ot take on this task.  It can be done to suit the imes available to them. All we ask is for sensible and careful people who love the churhyard to get involved. Contact the Rector on 01924 450746
Snowdropssnowdrops in the recently cleared areas.
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PIZZA and Philosophy....
can this be an event ? click the link and find out.
here
starts this Friday 26th February at 7.30

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Lent clipart
 
Notice sheet with information for Lent and Easter services and events is now available to view on our Calendar & Pew sheet page
 
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Change of Date - the new date for the Summer Fair
 

this year is June 11th which coincides with National Celebrations for the Queen's 90th Birthday  so the theme will be on that topic.

Planning meeting is February 29th at 7.30 at the Rectory.

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The Mystery of Everything
 
Our 2016 Lent Course ishas started, launching with a film night on Sunday 7th February at 6pm.
 
The course continues on every Sunday through Lent from 6-7.30pm
Further details can be found on the poster here
 
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LYCIG logo

Introduction to Leading Your Church into Growth

 

Saturday 20th February At Thornhill Parish Church

9.30 meet for Coffee, session runs 10.00 – 3.00

 

 

With guest speaker Revd John Marsh from the National LYCiG Team.

This day is for all Church Members especially PCC Members in our Benefice who want to see these churches grow in numbers and spiritually. Put the date in your diary 

 

 
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Organ restoration- work is going on apace and for the first time on Friday 29th January sounds came out of it- mening all the state of the art electronics, which help us play the instrument were installed and working.It will be finished in time for Easter.  Photographs are available on the Facebook page 

Click herfacebook imagee to go to our  Facebook Page

 )The opening recital is on the 21st May 2016 at 7.30 and will be given by one of Britains top organists Dr Gordon Stewart- watch out for more details.
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SAD News- only three weeks after his appointment as Organist Emeritus Peter Middleton has died after a fall and a short stay in hospital. RIP Peter. All our love and prayers to Marjorie and the whole family at this time.

Funeral is at Thornhill Parish Church at 1230 on January 26th 2016.
(original story below-
Organist Emeritus appointed.   Peter Middleton has retired as organist at Whitley and Thornhill Churches after 20 years. This brings to an end over 60 years service as an organist at many churches in this part of the Diocese. Peter served for many years at Brighouse Parish Church as well as St Johns Cleckheaton amongst others. A lifetime of service to the church and many thousands of singers- he was also Head of Music at Whitcliffe Mount School for many years. Thank you Peter - and your helpmate and wife Marjorie.In honour of his service he was appointed Organist Emeritus and presented with photographs of the two churches he most recently served in along with a cheque from both congregations.
Peter retire 1Peter retire 2
 
 
Children's Activity this morning 9th January 2016- more images on our Facebook page.Childrens activityEpiphany 2