February 2020 THE MAGAZINE OF THE & TEAM CHURCHES Price 60p

Welcome to a new Below the Pike year! As it says above it is the magazine of the Horwich and Rivington Team Churches but we reach out to the wider community as well. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine and find it interesting, thought-provoking and informative (with a touch of humour here or there!). The magazine is available in all our Team Churches and the good news is that the price remains at 60p or if you pay an annual subscription (in advance and due this month!) it is still £6.00 for the ten editions we publish. If you would like to have the magazine delivered please speak to a churchwarden or your magazine rep - details inside the magazine. Please remember this is YOUR magazine and we welcome contributions from you—these can be articles, musings, photos, celebrations, events etc. as long as it fits with the ethos of the magazine. And welove hearing from and about our young people! Deadline date is always on the front of the magazine and contact details on Page 3. Similarly if you have any positive or negative comments about BtP please tell us! HAPPY READING AND PERHAPS WE’LL BE HEARING FROM YOU IN 2020?

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ON 26TH FEBRUARY 7.30pm

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HORWICH AND RIVINGTON 2020 LENT MEETINGS The Long Road to Heaven Our Lent course this year explores Christian understandings of salvation in a five- part study and discussions based on the film The Way. Starring Martin Sheen as a bereaved father, this soulful and uplifting film observes a group of pilgrims walking the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. As it follows their journey of inner transformation, the course examines biblical accounts and images of salvation past, present and future and addresses the questions: What are we saved from? What are we saved for? Who can be saved? What do we have to do to be saved? How are we saved?

The film will be shown at St John’s Methodist Church, Victoria Road, Horwich on Monday 24th February at 11am and on Thursday 27th February at 7.30pm.

Clips from the film will be shown in each of the sessions which start at 7.30pm during Lent. All welcome Monday 2nd March: St Catherine’s Church, Richmond Street, Horwich. Facilitator Eric Kent Tuesday 10th March: Bridge Horwich, Rock Street, Horwich. Facilitator Michael Behrend Wednesday 18th March: St Mary’s Church, Chorley New Road, Horwich. Facilitator Linda Gillett Thursday 26th March: Holy Trinity, Church Street, Horwich. Facilitator Chris Holmes Friday 3rd April: St John’s Church, Victoria Road, Horwich. Facilitator Stephen Fletcher

NEXT EDITION: MARCH 2020 DEADLINE: February 16th PUBLICATION DATE: March 1st

IN THIS ISSUE - Page 2: Directory Page 3: Monthly Musing; Alive+Free; Beer&Chat; G&T; BtP Page 4: From the Registers; Confirmations; Archbishop Visit; Dates to Remember Page 5: Dementia Corner; World Day of Prayer; Horwich ATC; Page 6: Congratulations; Horwich Community Centre Page 7: FairTrade Fortnight; Horwich Prayer House Page 8: Forthcoming Events ; Namibia Rain! CLC On The Move; Open Door Page 9: Greenbelt; Greetings 10: From the Magazine; FFF; Destitution Project Page 11: Green News ; Horwich Community Grants Page 12: YPP— Hungry for Wisdom and Knowledge; Invitations for our Young People HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, Church Street, Horwich BL6 6AA: THE MINISTERIAL TEAM SUNDAY SERVICES: Rector: Stephen Fletcher 468263 Every Week - 08.00 Holy Communion Email: [email protected] 09.15 Informal Worship (with K4C) Vicar: Michael Behrend 697162 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Sundays Email: [email protected] 10.45 Choral Service (Communion) Curate: 4th Sunday: Nicola Butterworth 07706 979393 10.45 Morning Prayer Email: [email protected] Evening Services Associates: Peter Harley 694611 18.30 Said Holy Communion (2nd Sunday) Email: [email protected] 18.30 GOD[Space] (3rd Sunday) Caroline Tracey 692303 18.30 Reflective Celtic Communion (4th Sunday) Email: [email protected] Weekdays: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month: 09.30 Holy Communion Gill Smart 468271 Youth Groups/Organisations: Email: [email protected] Playcare: Weekdays Lisa Entwistle 01204 667606 Honorary: Parents & Toddlers: Mon. 09 -11am. Marlene Pritchard 01204 692699 Glenda Bush 691539 Jaffa Tots (3-6yrs): Sunday 09.15 Nicola Gillard 01204 227648 Brenda Craston 699972 Jaffa Juniors (7-10yrs): Sunday 09.15 John Shawcross 01204 469355 David Griffiths 469621 Jaffas (11-13yrs): Sunday 09.15 Steve Gillard 01204 227648 Readers: Irvine Delamore 696437 Beavers (Tuesday )/ Cubs (Thursday )/ Scouts (Tuesday): David Hawes 693727 [email protected] Christine Bradley 01204 410811 Youth Minister: Gemma Garcete 07450 714711 Rainbows & Monday Brownies: Angela Alcroft [email protected] Email: [email protected] Wednesday Brownies: Katie Webster [email protected]

Friday Guides: Kathryn Tomkinson [email protected] THE TEAM CHURCHES: Holy Trinity Parish Hall booking enquiries to: Susan Preston 01204 693722 or email [email protected] Holy Trinity Church Wardens: Chris Knowles 07833 290498 RIVINGTON PARISH CHURCH, Sheephouse Lane, Rivington, BL6 7SE: Grenville Hartley 279365 Treasurer: Lesley Greenhalgh 693973 SUNDAY SERVICES: Secretary: Susan Kerr 692760 10.45 Holy Communion 1662 st Rivington 10.45 Family Communion (1 Sunday) Church Wardens: Peter Holden 01257 482451 Weekdays: Last Saturday of the month 10.30 a.m. Matins Dawn Cunningham 07733 104560 Youth Groups/Organisations: Treasurer: David Hawkins 07710 563678 J.A.M. (1-14yrs) [Jesus & Me] 3rd Sunday 10.30 Susan Firth 01257 480084 Secretary: Brenda Craston 699972 St. Catherine’s ST. CATHERINE’S CHURCH, Richmond Street, Horwich, BL6 5QT: Church Wardens: Ian Winnard 694005 SUNDAY SERVICES: Kath Jackson 770598 Treasurer: Andrea Shore 694613 Every Week: 08.45 Holy Communion 1662 Secretary: Pam Smith (c/oTeam Office) 692252 1st, 3rd & 4th Sundays: 10.30 Holy Communion St. Elizabeth’s 2nd Sunday: 10.30 All Age Worship Church Wardens: 5th Sunday: 10.30 Morning Worship Graham Smith 699875 Weekdays: 4th Thursday of each month: 10.30 Holy Communion Treasurer: Richard Skidmore 693415 Youth Groups/Organisations: Secretary: vacant post Children’s Club Sunday 10.30 Michael Behrend 01204 697162

Tiny Tots Wed 09.15-11.15 Michael Behrend 01204 697162 BAPTISMS: Initial enquiries for baptisms to Emma Shawcross: [email protected] ST. ELIZABETH’S CHURCH, Cedar Avenue, Horwich, BL6 6EU: WEDDINGS: Initial enquiries for weddings to SUNDAY SERVICES: Alice Fletcher: [email protected] or 1st Sunday: 08.45 Holy Communion 1662 ; 10.00 PULSE! 7.00pm ALIVE + 07753 599595 FREE! 2nd Sunday: 10.00 Communion4All - includes our children PASTORAL CARE TEAM: any concerns email: 3rd Sunday: 10.00 Word4You [email protected] 4th Sunday: 10.00 Communion4You—includes our children THE TEAM OFFICE is situated in the crypt below Weekdays: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month: 09.30 Holy Communion Youth Groups/Organisations: St. Catherine’s Church. Open Tues, Thurs & Fri: Children’s Group : 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays (going in to Communion on 10.00 am to 12pm Tel: 01204 692252 2nd and 4th Sundays) Graham Smith 01204 699875 email: [email protected] nd 42 Bolton Beavers, Cubs & Scout Derek English 01204 469972 Web Site: (all churches) : Brownies (Monday): Beverley Gowen 01204 468581 Rainbows (Tuesday) : [email protected] https://www.achurchnearyou.com Churches together in Horwich and Rivington: Church Hall Bookings: Sharon McGovern: 07854 430010 or [email protected] https://churchestogether.org/horwich-rivington 2 OUR MONTHLY MUSING FOR TIME FLIES? FEBRUARY By NICOLA BUTTERWORTH

For many years I have sat and reflected on the past year, if at no other time then definitely on New Year’s Eve. As 2019 reached its close, I was sad to see it end; for me it was a truly remarkable year. I left a job I loved, to do something I love even more and the reasons to smile far outweighed those to make me cry. The blessings of 2019 I would never have imagined 10 years ago. There are two well-known phrases which spring to mind as I sit and write: “Time flies when you’re having fun” and “Home is where the heart is”. I am undeniably having fun, because the past six months since ordination have gone so fast. I could write a whole book on the times I have smiled and laughed. There have also been times when I have shed tears but that is part of life, we experience sorrow as well as joy but to know that God is there in every single moment makes the tough ones so much easier to face. As I began my curacy, I asked to be part of all four churches, to get to know each place and the people there. I knew that getting to know individuals in four churches and to grow relationships would have itsown challenges, but now, as I walk into each building, I can honestly say I feel at home and I thank God for this every day. Horwich and Rivington you have a special place in my heart because I have come to know and love people in all four churches. While each building is very different and the services in each one vary, I am reminded that God made us all unique and yet we are called to live as part of a community. While I continue to travel back ‘home’ to Leigh each day, I now have a new family who live in Horwich and Rivington and my home church now is here, but it is not limited to one building and not solely in a church building. My heart is to see God transforming lives here in this community and for people to know Jesus personally. 2020 also looks like there are some wonderful things to look forward to so will time continue to fly? I do hope so, because that means we are continuing to have fun together but also, as we open our hearts and homes, whether they are the places we live or the places we gather in, we will see God’s family grow in strength and love.

TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TOGETHER AND CHAT BEER & CHAT—3rd Wednesday of every month at The Looking for an interesting and stimulating Brewery Bar, Hampson Street, Horwich, from 7.30 pm for a service? ALIVE + FREE could be the relaxed sociable time giving the opportunity to chat about many answer! Held on the first Sunday of every different topics. Next dates - February 19th & March 18th. month at St Elizabeth’s Church, Cedar Or how about GIRLS+TALK—last Thursday of the month at Il Avenue, Horwich Refreshments from Toro , Church Street, Horwich from 8pm, for a chat and get 6.30pm with the service starting at 7pm. together. Next dates - February 27th and March 26th. Come and join us!

BELOW THE PIKE BELOW THE PIKE is published by the Team Council of the Anglican Churches of Horwich and Rivington. Its aim is to link the Team Churches with each other and the wider community of Horwich. The contents are not exclusively religious, but encompass any matters of Christian or local concern. Anyone who would like to make such a contribution, through the Editorial Team is most welcome (details below). Please be aware that the articles printed do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Editor or Editorial Team who are: Editor - Margaret Broadfoot 690283 or email: [email protected]

Stephen Fletcher (Rector) 01204 468263; Shirley Sharples 01204 696925; Gloria Long 01204 692035; David Griffiths 01204 469621; Pam Knowles 01204 667363

3 FROM THE REGISTERS

BAPTISMS & THANKSGIVINGS We welcome to the family of the Church: 5th January Harry Kiernan 12th January Hudson True 19th January Lydia Bond 19th January Jaymes Crankshaw

FUNERALS We offer love and sympathy to the relatives and friends of: 5th November 2019 Iris Bridge 11th November 2019 Eric Spencer 29th November 2019 Lucy Jordan Whiteside 29th November 2019 Roma Shuter 30th December 2019 John Henshall 3rd January 2020 Dorothy Foley 8th January 2020 May Ashworth 13th January 2020 Edward (Eddie) Porter 15th January 2020 Stephen Taylor

CONFIRMATIONS 2020 DATES & REMINDERS FOR NOVEMBER If you’re aged 15+ (or an adult) & would 2nd Feb: Candlemas at Holy Trinity 4pm like to consider being Confirmed at our 2nd Feb: alive + Free at St Elizabeth’s 7.00pm (see page 3) next Team Confirmation Service at Holy 8th Feb: Messy Church 4pm St Elizabeth’s (see page 12) Trinity on Sunday 1st March 2020, then 9th Feb: Rev. Gill Smart Licensing Service at St Elizabeth’s please ask Stephen, Michael, Caroline or Church 10am (see page 6) Nicola about the preparation meetings that will be starting this month. If you’re in Year 9th Feb: Horwich Prayer House at Vale Farm Cottage 4pm (see 5 or 6 at Primary School and would like to page 7) receive communion in our services, then 15h Feb: Family Faith Football 2pm BWFC stadium (see page again, please speak to us about the 10) preparation classes for Admission to 19th Feb: Beer and Chat The Brewery Bar from 7.30pm (see Receive Communion Before page 3) Confirmation that will be taking place this month. 24th Feb: ‘The Way’ Lent series film at St John’s Church 11am (see front page) ARCHBISHOP OF YORK TO VISIT 25th Feb: shrove Tuesday BOLTON 26th Feb: ash Wednesday Communion at St Elizabeth’s Church 7.30pm The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, will be visiting Bolton 15th May to 17th May 27th Feb: ‘The Way’ Lent series film at St John’s Church 7.30pm (see front page) for the ‘Believe in Bolton’ Mission. Details have not been agreed yet but it is hoped 27th Feb: girls+talk 8pm Il Toro, Church Street (see page 3) that many churches across Bolton will be Advance notice: holding their own events that weekend to 1st Mar: alive + Free at St Elizabeth’s 7.00pm coincide with the Archbishop’s visit and encourage people from their own 2nd Mar: Lent series starts 7.30pm (see front page) congregations and communities to go to 6th Mar: world Day of Prayer St Mary’s Church Horwich the large event at the BWFC stadium on 7.30pm (see page 5) the Saturday night. More details to follow. 7th Mar: Messy Church 4pm St Elizabeth’s (see page 12)

4 DEMENTIA CORNER Just a reminder of some of the initiatives and support there is out there for carers and people living with dementia. HORWICH DEMENTIA MEMORY CAFÉ —Tuesday 2pm - 4pm at Horwich RMI Club, Chorley New Road BL6 5NH ( parking on site and it is on the main bus route between Bolton and Horwich). Memory Cafés offer a friendly, relaxed and welcoming setting where people living with dementia, their families and carers can drop in to access information, support and activities. They offer the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, find out how and where to get help and share experiences and coping strategies. SINGING BY HEART DEMENTIA CAFE— Held the 1st Thursday of the month at 11.30am —next dates 6th February and 5th March at the Salvation Army Citadel, St George’s Road, Bolton (public car park nearby and bus stop close by) singing songs, reminiscing and a free light lunch! For more information phone 01204 365455. DEMENTIA FRIENDLY WALKS AT SMITHILLS—Held 1st Thursday of the month, next date 6th February. Starts at 11am. Meeting at Barrow Bridge Mission on Barrow Bridge Road. A gentle walk with trained adult help on hand and looking and talking about what you see and then back to base for a woodland based activity followed by tea and biscuits! Booking essential—contact 0330 333 5314 or email [email protected] BOLTON DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP—this is for both Carers and the cared for every Tuesday at Thicketford Centre, on Thicketford Road , Bolton from 10.30am to 12pm. Carers and people living with dementia have separate spaces so that carers can relax and socialise in friendly company, helping them to feel less isolated, meeting other carers and gain access to support information and talks to help you as a carer and at the same time have opportunities to voice any concerns. Your cared for relative or friend will have separate activities including reminisces and/or other appropriate activities. Phone 01204 386696 for more information.

For regular readers you may feel we are concentrating on Dementia in the magazine, however, we know there are support groups for many illnesses and conditions , for example, so if you have experience of a local support group that is of help to you or a relative please let us know (details on page 3). WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2020 This year’s service has been put together by the women of Zimbabwe. The service is at St Mary’s Church, Chorley New Road, Horwich on March 6th at 7.30pm. Please join us.

HORWICH ATC DEMONSTRATING CARE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY Just before Christmas the Horwich Air Training Cadets arranged a food collection for Urban Outreach. This was the first time the ATC had done this but it could well be the start of a regular event. Urban Outreach were very appreciative of their efforts. Well done to the Cadets! Some of the cadets are pictured right with Dave Bagley, Head of Urban Outreach.

“I told the Inland Revenue I don’t owe them a penny. I live by the seaside.” - Ken Dodd 5 FEBRUARY CONGRATULATIONS

Very special congratulations go to Zoe and Daniel Winter on the birth of baby Robin! Zoe is the daughter of Rev Stephen and Anne Fletcher who are both totally besotted grandparents as you will see from the photo on the right!!

Robin was born during the Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols at Holy Trinity - not actually in the church but her arrival announcement came to Stephen’s phone during the service and he was able to proudly announce it at the end of the service! Congratulations also go to Jan O’Brien who featured in our November edition telling us about her work for MacMillan Cancer Support. It’s wonderful to report that she has been nominated for not one, but two, awards in recognition of her work! Well done Jan and we await the results, however, being nominated is rewarding in itself! Also congratulations to Rev. Gill Smart (pictured left). Gill submitted her Curacy portfolio last year and it was accepted by the Bishop and she became an Associate Minister in the team. On Sunday 9th February at 10.00am at St Elizabeth's the Bishop of Bolton will be Licensing Gill for the Horwich and Rivington Benefice. If anyone would like to join Gill, the Bishop and St Elizabeth's congregation, they are very welcome to come along.

Congratulations for birthdays—4th Rev. Michael Behrend; 10th Carol Butler; 12th Caroline Rigby; 13th Sylvia Smith; 15th Andrew Ferrier; 16th Eil1dh Bulas; 22nd Gill Warren; 25th Terry Almond and on the 27th Joshua Duckworth will be 3 years old! Special belated birthday greetings to our friend Judith Whalley, living in Beechville but previously our St Catherine’s rep and leading light in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Our love and best wishes to Judith. Please let us know about any birthdays, anniversaries, awards, achievements, celebrations etc with photos if possible.

HORWICH COMMUNITY CENTRE Beaumont Road, Horwich Tel: 01204 668157 https://www.horwich.gov.uk/community_centre.html CAB—Please note changes to the Citizens Advice Bureau times: February – Friday 7th 9:30am – 12:00pm, Friday 21st 9:30am – 12:00pm; March – Friday 6th 9:30am – 12:00pm, Friday 20th 9:30am – 12:00pm ;April – Friday 3rd 9:30am – 12:00pm, Friday 17th 9:30am – 12:00pm.

You are invited to come along for some TLC at our Tuesday Lunch Club TUESDAY LUNCH CLUB A 2 COURSE HOT MEAL EVERY TUESDAY FROM 12pm UNTIL 2pm (Perfect for older people or those with disabilities) If you would like to join us, please contact Mary on 01204 692164

6 FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT

runs from 24th February to 8th March this year. Its focus will continue that of last year’s theme-calling all chocolate fans to fight for fairness! Last year, the FairTrade Foundation launched ‘She Deserves a Living Income’ campaign and succeeded in setting a Fairtrade Minimum Price for conventional cocoa, raising it from $2,000 to $2,400 per metric ton. For organically grown cocoa, the minimum price will $2,700. And the FairTrade Premium will increase from $200 to $240 per metric ton, the highest fixed premium of any certification. $4 million tonnes of cocoa are produced each year but FairTrade cocoa represents only a small fraction of this. In West Africa, it’s just 10%. We

need more people in the UK to understand the power they have as consumers to choose Fair Trade every time. Fair Trade not only covers the price – it enables the farmers to have a safety net protecting them from low prices for their crops. It also provides a FairTrade premium whereby farmers can choose how to spend the premium to improve their farms and communities. It also empowers women to have a voice in their community and encourages the protection for the environment, investing in climate resilience and adaptation. The FairTrade Certification scheme is the only certification scheme to focus on price and as such, is already making a tangible and significant difference to farmer’s incomes. To find out more about the difference Fair Trade makes, look up www.fairtrade.org.uk Miranda Williams Photos: Above left—the start of the process harvesting the cocoa pods and right—enjoying the finished product. Many supermarkets and shops are stocking several FairTrade items now that awareness is growing—so please do your bit and look out for the logo (pictured left)!

Horwich Prayer House We are linked to Vision 2030 and Churches Together in Horwich. We will be meeting again at the wonderful Vale Farm Cottage in Horwich. Please come prepared with something to share and encourage one another with testimony and the word of God.

Join us Sunday Afternoons on - 9th Feb - 8th March at 4pm to 5.30pm

Vale Farm Cottage, Vale Avenue, Horwich, BL6 5RG Look out for the entrance opposite Vale House, park on the main road or on the private driveway behind the house. Cat’s mobile: 07747 700723 please SHARE this invite with friends & neighbours. Children are welcome.

An optimistic gardener believes that what goes down must come up! - Anon “Parents are the last people on earth who ought to have children”—Samuel Butler “To avoid delay please have all your symptoms ready” - sign in a doctor’s surgery Wife to husband—“It’s wheat free; dairy free; fat free; nut free; salt free; and sugar free—Enjoy!” 7 CHRIST CHURCH PLAYERS PRESENT ‘HOLIDAY AT HOME’ A comedy ‘who-dunnit’ in 2 Acts

Wednesday 12th February to Saturday 15th February

At 7.30pm in the Christ Church Centre, Markland Hill (behind the Church) PRAYERS DO GET ANSWERED! Tickets £8 including refreshments Rain in Namibia in late January has Contact Brenda Griffiths on 01204 840430 meant crops have started to grow Or email: [email protected] well meaning there will be a harvest this year. Thank you all for your prayers and support. CLC ON THE MOVE! The Christian Bookshop on Deansgate which recently changed into private ownership is facing another change—they are moving! Due to the refurbishment plans for Deansgate at the YMCA end, the Christian Bookshop has had to find new premises and as a result at the end of January they will be moving to their new location with a new name: Isaiah 53 Christian Bookshop Unit 1 2-5 Crown Street Bolton BL1 2RU Tel: 01204 532 384 or email: [email protected] | www.isaiah53christianbookshop.org They plan to continue the good service that they provide for the people of Bolton and surrounding areas with David Thurairatnam as Shop Manager and many of the volunteers have agreed to stay on. They have setup a not-for-profit limited company with five directors with a range of professional experience, leadership roles and of course a living relationship with Jesus; once established they hope to register as a charity, with profits planned to be routed to local projects. Being a ‘Kingsway CLC Trust Partner Shop’ means they will be able to offer the best support to their customer base with rapid fulfilment of orders. As they are on a very short turnaround, to make it easy to support this setup stage as there are some costs for preparing the building, they have created a crowdfunding page which you can find at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/isaiah53bolton If you prefer to do a direct transfer the BACS details are: 60-83-71 83091390. Please continue to support them or try them out if you haven’t been before—not just books but lots of other lovely things for sale! OPEN DOOR Do you know what Open Door is? Well, read on to find out. We are a church based group who meet at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Church Street, Horwich. Our meetings are very sociable and are held fortnightly on a Thursday evening at 7.30pm. We meet in church and are a friendly group, welcoming members from all parts of the community and while our membership is currently all female we do welcome men! Our meetings usually consist of a talk, often illustrated, by an invited speaker. The subjects are very varied ranging from wildlife, history, travel, crafts, local charities, music and just about everything else. The talks are followed by refreshments and time to chat. However, it’s not just about talking as we enjoy cheese and wine evenings, theatre trips, afternoon tea and days out. In other words, there is something for everyone! To cover the cost of the speaker we ask for a small donation of £3 and if there is money left over at the end of the year we donate it to a local charity. Our annual programmes are available in any of our Team Churches or contact Doreen Carey on 01204 696657. Our next two meetings are: February 6th “Music Hall Memories” and February 20th “Rainbow House”. We hope to see you there!

8

In 2001 our daughter, Claire, went to the Greenbelt festival for the first time. Upon returning home, Claire was visibly energized, and I asked if any people who went to the festival were as old as me! Claire responded that all ages attended the festival including people older than me! That was all I needed to hear, and the following year Keith and I went to our very first Greenbelt. It didn’t disappoint. During the communion service, attended by thousands, at one side of me a toddler played and at the other side of me a lady of eighty two made conversation. This has always summed up the festival for me – a festival for all and we have been to Greenbelt every year since. This Christian Music and Arts Festival “where artistry and activism come together” is sponsored, among others, by Christian Aid and is currently held in the beautiful grounds of Boughton House in Kettering. The festival programme includes music, visual and performing arts, comedy, talks and discussion. You can take part in a variety of worship styles including meditative, Taizé style, Wild Goose, Gothic, Quakers and services with the Jesuits. Thousands of us gather together to worship our Lord at the Sunday morning communion service which, over the years, has been presented by many different groups, all of them very creative and interactive. In traditional festival style you can bring your own tent or, to make life easier, you can book a ready erected tent. There is also an area for caravans and campervans. For those wanting a glamping experience there are yurts and bell tents for hire and if you really can’t bear the thought of not having a shower for the duration of the festival, the YMCA offer a service for you to book a shower. It can work out expensive to attend the festival however, you can try it out by purchasing a day ticket or even better why not volunteer? There are a variety of volunteering roles and Keith has enjoyed volunteering for many years, now. Volunteering enables you to receive a free ticket to the festival and vouchers which can be used for meals at the various food venues around the site. In return, you have the joy of knowing that you are enabling the festival to be an enjoyable experience for all, and you get to experience the team spirit. All this, and you still get time ‘off shift’ to enjoy the festival. The next generation of our family have become ‘Greenbelters’ as two of our granddaughters now come to Greenbelt with us. We know that they just love the whole experience; one granddaughter has an app that tells her how many months, days and minutes it is to the next Greenbelt Festival! Check out the website www.greenbelt.org.uk where you will find lots of information including the history of the festival, the lineup for this year and a gallery of photographs. Keith and Linda Bennett And from the Greenbelt website – green news! “GREENERBELT - Challenging the status quo isn’t easy. We work to make each Greenbelt more environmentally friendly than the last. We’ve got rid of single-use plastic, disposable cups, and this year we’re getting rid of plastic wristbands”.

GREETINGS FROM AFAR— Sam Aswin sent us Christmas greetings from Chennai in India: I hope you’re all good, this is our 1st Christmas in our new flat, so it’s more special for us. Praise God! We have our Christmas Service tomorrow morning @ 4 am which may last till 7 am. Then I’ve plans to share cakes, muruku (local spicy desert) and calendar for my non-Christian flatmates. After the special meal, planning to spend rest of the day with the birthday baby I keep checking the Church magazine every month, I smile whenever I see some known faces. Kindly share my wishes to the Church Fellowship on behalf of myself & my church (Silver Memorial Church, Arakkonam) and I take joy in sharing my wishes to everyone a Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year 2020 Always I’m here to welcome if anyone wish to visit Chennai and glad to accompany and be a good guide & translator...haha! With Love, Sam David Parkinson, ex-Holy Trinity Churchwarden, Choir member, PCC and Namibia Committee sends warm greetings from Hampshire where he sings in the Church choir, is Chair of Churches Together, looks after his daughter’s horse and enjoys holidays! And our best wishes go to Sam and David. 9 FROM THE PARISH MAGAZINE January 1950— from the Holy Trinity section: “Do you know? The attendance at the regular services at your church is disgraceful. It would make a great difference if you made this a matter of personal prayer and action. A good church family is one which makes a serious effort to be represented at regular Sunday services. The kingdom of God is being delayed by the indifference of believers. If you care, then make sure you pull your full weight.” Presumably this was written by the vicar at that time, the Rev. T. Murray! In the adverts in the same magazine is one for Horrocks’s 30, Church Street advertising High class boot and shoe repairs; new clogs and clog repairs. And one for Frank Hart’s Cycle Dealer 72-74 Lee Lane and 246 Chorley New Road —saying “There’s a cycle to suit everyone, we know what you require whether Touring or Pottering”. From The Parish Magazine February 1960 : in his letter Capt. W.R. Heavens of St Elizabeth’s Mission writes “Dear Friends, St Elizabeth’s Annual General Meeting takes place on February 10th, and I am wondering whether we might rid ourselves of the slackness of the past and face the future more resolutely; there is perhaps too much slackness in our church life, as in many other walks of life. This is especially evident amongst men and is apparent in the attendance at the Annual Meetings for the election of Church Officers. For our own good we ought to be able to get a more representative meeting of men who are prepared to be keen and reliable about the duties they undertake……” OUCH! The articles are 10 years apart but each with a telling off from the church leader! In the 1960 edition is an advert for Andrew Leach’s for boot and shoe repairs—a picture of a pair of soles with sad faces saying “They come in fear and trembling” followed by another one with happy faces saying “And go away rejoicing!”.

FAMILY, FAITH AND FOOTBALL—All-age free pre-match event 15th February at 2pm in the Reflections Restaurant, Whites Hotel, Macron Stadium. Theme: LEGENDS. Provides a football focus with expert panellists and fun activities. Booking essential: [email protected]

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” Every Wednesday at Bolton’s Victoria Hall strangers are being welcomed and offered a variety of services, some of which may have a permanent effect on their lives. The caseworker and her team work with dedication to help bewildered and traumatised people to find their way through a maze of Home Office directives, in order to create some sort of stability and provide a beacon of hope. Many asylum seekers do not speak English, have often undergone a circuitous journey within the UK, let alone from their home country, and many have been sent to Bolton from Croydon via Liverpool or other cities. The Destitution Project in Bolton seeks to give loving support and friendship in many ways to those in need, whether it is in advice, which may concern basic everyday living, for example how to contact a doctor or dentist, or in giving much-needed clothes and food from the supply which is stocked by donations. Contrary to what one might expect, given the background of many present, there is always a positive atmosphere each Wednesday and much activity. Young men are playing snooker in the middle of the room, ladies are sitting chatting after their English lesson, the barbers are working non-stop (free, of course!), the volunteers who work in the ‘Clothes Room’ are busy distributing items as needed and at midday a dedicated team of volunteers provide a hot, nourishing meal. Bags of food (non-perishable and fresh) are given out to the destitute and English lessons are provided to both men and women. The place is buzzing! Numbers are growing and there is a continuous need for more volunteers. Come and join us! Elsie Peel who spoke at the Churches Together meeting in January 10 GREEN NEWS

 Have you discovered the reusable, washable, fold away mesh bags in supermarkets for putting loose fruit and veg purchases in? They are replacing the plastic bags you were basically forced to use! Not all supermarkets have them yet but many do so look out for them, in one supermarket they are sold individually at 30p each in another they are in packs of three for £1. I bought quite few packs to give people as presents as that was how I found out about them when a friend gave some to me! They are multi use—not just for buying fruit and veg but can be used for putting delicate items in in the washing machine or packing items in your suitcase or travel bag!  Did you know has been ranked one of only 43 cities and regions on the international A list for combating climate change? The Carbon Disclosure Project charity ranked 920 cities, states and regions worldwide on the basis of their tackling global warming in 2018. Greater Manchester has been making progress towards the ambitious but achievable goals they set to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change , including the promise to scrap not only plastic straws but also throwaway coffee cups, water bottles, party balloons and single-portion pats of butter and jam by 2020—will they achieve it?

 Are you practising ‘conscious beauty’? If you buy make-up and toiletries this could be a way of helping the planet— ‘conscious beauty’ is a term that has been coined to identify beauty and toiletry products you can buy that contain fewer chemicals and pesticides, are organic, cruelty free (i.e. not tested on animals), and are eco-friendly with ingredients and packaging. It requires a bit of effort and research but given our current climate crisis situation surely that bit of effort will pay off in the long term? The bonus is they are generally kinder to your skin!

 Good news from Chorley Council—they will Recycle your clean plastic pots, tubs and trays. Their press release says: “From 1 October2019, we are making it easier for you to recycle more plastic waste. Along with plastic bottles, which are already collected, you can put clean plastic pots, tubs and trays in your blue recycling bin at home. These include yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, and meat, fruit and vegetable trays of any shape or colour, along with their lids. It is easy to see whether your plastic is recyclable by checking the number stamped onto it. Anything with a number 1, 2 or 5 within the recycling triangle should go into your blue recycling bin. The colour and shape of the container doesn't matter - the main thing is to check that it can be recycled, and give it a rinse. If the plastic still has food waste on it, or is covered in plastic film, it can cause a problem as it goes through the recycling system and could end up not recycled at all”. So if you know someone who lives in Chorley why not ask them to recycle your plastic—as long as it complies with the instructions above? I do! And better still shouldn’t we all be pestering to get them to follow Chorley’s example? Margaret Broadfoot

HORWICH TOWN COUNCIL COMMUNITY GRANTS Yes, it’s that time again! Three times a year there is an opportunity for voluntary/community groups/ organisations which serve the Horwich area to apply for grants from the Town Council. The grants go up to £300 and some of the conditions to qualify are: only one application a year may be made; you must be of benefit to the Horwich community and non-profit making; can demonstrate a clear need of financial support by providing a description of the project/activity; provide a set of independently audited financial accounts with the application . Full details are provided with the application form. CLOSING DATE FEBRUARY 28th. Forms from http://horwich.gov.uk/your_council.html or the Town Clerk’s Office 01204 691090 Good luck!

11 YPP* HUNGRY FOR WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE STANFORD, California – The signature landmark on the Stanford University campus is the Hoover Tower, named for one of the students in its very first class, Herbert Hoover. Admission to Stanford is accorded only to the very upper elite strata of high school students, Hoover, himself, had never attended high school, and failed all his entrance exams, save mathematics. However, the mathematics professor who administered the test, Dr. Joseph Swain, saw potential in the 16-year-old, mostly self-educated, fellow Quaker, and arranged for Hoover to go to the Stanford campus, ahead of the other pioneer students who entered, in 1891 and would graduate in 1895. Over the summer prior to the start of his first semester, Hoover was tutored in a variety of subjects, and although he never was considered a top student, he distinguished himself in many other ways. Hoover supported himself at university by organizing a newspaper delivery service, and later a laundry service, in which he arranged for dirty clothes to be picked up from students every Monday morning and returned clean to them the following Saturday afternoon. Among the snobbish sorority and fraternity members of his day, impoverished entrepreneurs like Hoover were considered socially inferior. Eventually, Hoover became one of the leaders of the “Barbarians,” who challenged the Greek letter organizations for control of Stanford’s student government. Successful in the revolt against elitism, Hoover was elected treasurer of the student body, a position akin to serving as general manager of all the school’s extra-curricular enterprises. On graduating from Stanford, Hoover worked as an engineer but during WW1 became Relief Commissioner for Belgium and after the war Food Administrator for the US and in 1929 became the 31st President of the United States. He was a perfect example of how to get where you want to go by determination and hard work!

Thanks for explaining the word “many” to me — it means a lot. One bird can’t make a pun. But toucan.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES WE HAVE

For pre-schoolers and their parents join us for LITTLE SPARKS. Every Monday during term-time 1.30—3pm at St Catherine’s Church, Richmond Street, Horwich

AND FOR FAMILIES WE HAVE

MESSY CHURCH is at St Elizabeth’s, Cedar Avenue, Horwich for fun, fellowship and food! Starts 4pm. Next dates: February 8th and March 7th

ARE YOU IN YEARS 6,7 OR 8? Then IGNITE could be for you! We meet weekly on Thursdays (term-time) at St Catherine’s Church, Richmond St. from 6.00 –7.30pm. Come along and give it a try!

AND FOR 14—18 YEAR OLDS THERE’S CYFA! CYFA meet Thursdays (term-time) at St Elizabeth’s Church, Cedar Avenue from 8—9.30pm If you have any questions about Ignite!, CYFA Youth, Deeper, or anything related to the Youth Team Ministry in Horwich and Rivington then please get in touch! Contact Gemma Garcete on 07450 714711 or email youthminister.gemma@gmail.

With many thanks to The Print Quarter for their excellent service & the quality and printing of this magazine