Church Rev’d Becky Gibbs, Priest in Charge (01946 822279) Retired Clergy with the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate: The Rev’d Jim Marshall (01946 64259) Rev’d Canon Jim Baker MBE and Rev’d Anne Baker (01946 822498) The Rev’d David Cox The Rev’d Canon Dr Trevor Park MBE The Rev’d Richard Lee

Sunday Services 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion (1st, 3rd & 5th - 1662) 10.30 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer (1st - Evensong; 4th Holy Communion) The sacrament of baptism is administered at the main service and must be arranged well in advance with the Vicar. For weddings, baptisms, funerals and other religious occasions, please contact 01946 822279 or email [email protected] Priory Web Site - http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Hire of Priory & Halls The church, Old College and New College halls are all available for hire for meetings, functions, lectures, concerts and recitals, etc. Contact booking officers for details. Booking Officers Ian & Rosalie McAndrew - 01946 822326 or [email protected] Priory Secretary - [email protected] Magazine production & distribution This magazine is free but production costs are about 50p per copy. Contributions from the Council and our advertisers, to whom we are most grateful, pay much of the costs. However this leaves the balance to be paid by the PCC. Donations to the Treasurer* or your Magazine Distributor are most welcome. Circulation - 900 households in St Bees, Sandwith, , Linethwaite, Coulderton, Middletown, . * - Treasurer - Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, CA27 0AR. DTP & Final Editing - Ian & Rosalie McAndrew Printed by Printpoint (01946) 64305

26 i St Bees Parish A B C History Group works towards improving knowledge of local history. Lectures Area Visitor / The parish is divided into 30 small areas each with an offi cial arranged periodically. Details from Chris Robson 822468. Good Neighbour Church Visitor whose task is to welcome and help people in the Over 60’s Club meets in Hodgett’s Club on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month: Scheme name of the Priory. Co-ordinator - M Westhead (822674). 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. Details - Gill Richardson Tel. 822394. Parish Council The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Jane Donaldson, East House, Arts Society meets every two months on the last Wednesday of the month at Coulderton. Tel. (01946) 822560, e.mail [email protected], who 8.00 p.m. Venue to be arranged. Details from Dilys Brownrigg will answer queries on matters. (822584) or Chris Robson 822468. Parochial meets 10 times a year. Elections for 20 members are held in March at Bellringing The Priory has a ring of 8 bells. Those interested in ringing or Church Council the A.P.C.M. Its task is to spearhead the mission and ministry of the learning to ring, contact D Sim, 31 Main Street. Practice church in the Parish. PCC Secretary - Wednesdays, 8.00 pm. Sundays, ring at 10.00 a.m. Jon Mellor, E-mail - [email protected] Brownies Brownies meet on Tuesdays. Further details can be obtained Playgroup meets every Wednesday in term time only, from 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. in from Amanda Smith or email [email protected] (Toddler Group) New College Hall, St Bees Priory. Details from Amy Linton - Email - [email protected] Cubs, Scouts, Cubs for children aged 8 - 10, meet on Thursdays, 6.30 - 8pm. Beavers Beavers meet on Thursdays (term time) from 5.00 - 6.00 pm. Details Pop-in Cafe Every Thursday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon - Pop-in Cafe in New from Graham Young. They meet in CCF Hut, College Hall. Everyone welcome - Coff ee and homemade cakes. Pre-School meets in the new building next to the Village School, All day, 5 days a . Scouts meet at Egremont. week. For children of 2 years upwards. Contact Pre-School on 823880. Choir rehearses on Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Details from Frank Bowler, the Prayer Group meets on Thursdays from 1.45 - 3.15 p.m. in New College Hall . All Organist (Tel. 825307). denominations welcome. Churchwardens are leading lay Church members who will be pleased to help and Priory Singers rehearse in Old College Hall, Mondays at 8.00 p.m. Details from Frank advise on church matters. Rosalie McAndrew (822326), Bowler. (Temp). (01946) 825307 Malcolm Lightfoot, Wendy Mellor, & Derek McGee Priory Web Site The Priory web site has up to date information on the ministry team, Councillors Copeland - Cllr Jeff rey Hailes- 01946 814819, 7.00 to 9.00 p.m church services and activities. See http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Monday to Friday. - Cllr Chris Whiteside, 01946 67575 or Seagalls meets fi rst Tuesday of month at 7.30pm in the Seacote Hotel. Contact 07798667678. E-mail [email protected] Lynne Smith - Tel. 822285 - or Judith 07772523742 Electoral Roll is the list of all church members qualifi ed to vote at the Annual St Bees Triers Friendly running club for all abilities. Every Thursday 6pm & 7pm. Email [email protected] Tel. 823497 Web www.triers.co.uk Parochial Church Meeting. E.R. forms are available in church Finance The Church Treasurer is Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, St Bees Youth meets 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 7.00 p.m. in New College Hall. Group All youngsters of secondary school age are welcome. Contact organisers Tel. 820409, who will explain our Christian Giving system. on 07518 394297. First Responders provide Basic Life Support in association with the Ambulance Sunday Club for ages 3 - 11 meets during Morning Service at 10.30 a.m. Service. Contact Andy Brock 823497 Contact – R McAndrew (822326), Football Contacts - Seniors Tony Barnett 590640. Village School exists to raise funds for the school and to foster links between school Association Juniors (U-12) - Alec Morton 823992 & Alastair Billson. Association and community. Secretary - via School - Tel. 822392. Freemasons St Bega Lodge meet 7:00 p.m. On 2nd Wed of each month, Village Village Hall Management Committee administers Hodgett’s Club. For details and Hall. Details: 01946 64275 or www.cumbwestmasons.co.uk. booking contact Phil or Valerie Turpin (Tel 823772). Friends of the assists in the conservation of the Priory and encourages interest in Village in Bloom Details from Eileen B Todd, 14 Main Street. St.Bees. (Tel 822522). Priory its historical and architectural heritage. Contact Philip Barratt or Village Web Site Information for inclusion should be sent to Ian McAndrew (822326) or Tom Rice, Treasurer, Green Ghyll, Greendykes, Egremont. [email protected] Address is http://www.stbees.org.uk Women’s meets 2nd Monday of month at 7.30 p.m. usually in New College Hall Garden Society Details from Mark Hewertson, (Tel. 01946 825468). Flower Show is Institute (see program). Contact Roxanne Benson Tel 823137. held on the 3rd Saturday in August. . Guides meet on Tuesdays from 7.00 – 8.30 p.m. Further details can be obtained from Amanda Smith or email [email protected] ii 25 Calendar for December & January 1 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion St Bees News December 2019 4.00 p.m. Advent Carol Service 3,10,17Tuesday 1.30 p.m. Diff erence Course NCH Several years ago, in eagerness and anticipation, Phil, Josh and I set out on “the great 6 Friday 7.00 p.m. NSPCC Carols by Candlelight, Hodgetts Christmas tree search”. After stopping at, and quickly departing from, a couple of 8 Sunday 3.00 p.m. Christingle Service and Orchestra, Priory overpriced garden centres we spotted a farm selling trees and drove up the track towards a 10 Tuesday 12.30 for 1.00 p.m. Over 60s Christmas dinner, Seacote Hotel large cowshed. Happily there were plenty of trees to see that we could aff ord, including a 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. WI Christmas Dinner, Queens Hotel few stored in the cowshed and, whilst trying to not to inhale the whiff of cow manure, we 6.15 p.m. Santa Parade and Lifeboat Carols (at 7.00 pm) chose the perfect one. We paid, squeezed into the car and headed for home. 11 Wednesday 2.00 p.m. Carols at Nethertown, Old Country Club It wasn’t until we had unloaded the tree and placed it in pride of place in the bay window 13 Friday 3.00 p.m. St Bees School Carol Service, School Chapel that we began to notice that our tree was less than perfect. You see, you can take the tree 7.00 p.m. St Bees Youth Club, NCH out of the cow shed but you can’t take the cow shed out of the tree! 14 Saturday 8.00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast, NCH. 11.00 a.m. Priory & Village Orchestra Concert, Priory Basically, our tree stank. Initially, I tried to come up with a plan to mask the smell. Open 3.00 p.m. Amnesty International Cakes and Carols, all the windows, light the scented candles, waft the pot-pourri. The next day the pong had 15 Sunday 10.00 a.m.- 3.30 p.m. CRCL Christmas cafe, Hodgetts gone down it seemed, or was that just because we were getting used to it? 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion 16 Monday 7.30 p.m. Friends of the Priory Concert, Priory It was at that moment, whilst considering whether I should ask the postman in, just so 17 Tuesday 3.00 p.m. Over 60s Christmas Tea, Oddfellows Arms he could give us their honest opinion on the odour, that it occurred to me that actually I 22 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship would like the smell to stay. Because this was the aroma of Christmas Day. Not mandarin, 5.00p.m. Nine Lessons and Carols, Priory clove and cinnamon or even frankincense. Jesus was born to a teenage mother, in a room 7.30p.m Carols, Oddfellows Arms with farm animals and his bed was their feeding trough. There was no crib for his bed 24 Tuesday 4.00 p.m. Christmas Eve Crib Service, Priory and the cattle were making a racket. It was smelly and uncomfortable. The family’s fi rst from 9.30 p.m St Bees Mummers, Village Pubs visitors were shepherds, overlooked and excluded by society, working long hours to make 11.30 p.m. Midnight Communion ends meet. With God, there are no outsiders. Everyone is invited in. 25 Wednesday 10.00 a.m. Christmas Day Family Communion The circumstances of Jesus’ birth are both comforting and challenging. Comforting 29 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship because Jesus comes into our messy, dirty and smelly world and we don’t need to tidy up 31 Tuesday 11.30 p.m. Bell Ringing, Priory fi rst. We wrap perfect presents in pretty paper, cook the most delicious food and decorate Calendar for January the sought after tree but actually what we all long to hear is that God loves us even when 5 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion we are far from perfect, we don’t need to hide our shortcomings from him. 12 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship 13 Monday 7.30 p.m. WI “The Golden Age of Poisons”, NCH Challenging because we must be honest about our own “smelliness” and accepting of the 18 Saturday 5.00 p.m. Family Beetle Drive, Hodgett’s Village Hall shortcomings of others. We live in times when politics has more of the whiff of cowshed 19 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion than Christmas tree and it’s tempting to hold our nose and hope for the best. But Jesus 26 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship calls us to step into the stable, inhale the mucky odour and get on with the job of “loving Calendar for February our neighbours as ourselves”. At work, at home and at the polling station. 4 Tuesday 7.15 p.m. Seagalls, Seacote Hotel Pop-in cafe in NCH, every Thursday 10.30 a.m. – Noon And with that in mind, may I be the fi rst to wish you, a Very… Smelly… Christmas! (except Boxing Day & 2nd January), With love from Becky Editor - February 2020 Magazine The February 2020 issue of St Bees News will be edited by Pat McDonnell, Sandyridge, Priory Road, St Bees,who would appreciate all contributions not later than Wednesday 8th January please.Email: [email protected] Tel. 01946 822516

24 1 Christmas Celebrations at the Priory Village History Group Advent Carol service – Sunday 1st December at 4.00 p.m. As is usual with our December issue, there is no village history article in this magazine. Instead from items noted during the year we offer more Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols will be held on Sunday 22 December at 5.00 p.m. ABSOLUTELY USELESS FACTS WHICH NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW. with carols by candlelight. Mulled wine & mince pies will be served afterwards. All most 1882 At Egremont a piglet was born with four ears, four eyes, and four stunted front legs. welcome! But its rear half, the newspaper insisted, was unexceptional. Please contact Sally Kennedy if you can provide mince pies, shortbread or choc crispies, 1906 There was only disappointment for a burglar who came here one night to ply his etc for the Christmas services. Thank you, master bakers! trade. He had no problem with the Co-op’s padlocked gate, but was foiled by the locks on The Christingle will be held this year in December the door. He next forced open a Finkle Street window, but found it too narrow to climb with Orchestral Carols, on Sunday 8 December through. More promising was Mr. Goss’s Grocery Store, for its lock gave way almost at at 3.00 p.m. Everyone will receive a decorated once; but on breaking open the till he found only two coins inside it – and both of them Christingle to remember Jesus the Light of the merely pennies. World. A collection will be taken for The Children’s 1940 People using Cross Hill must have noticed the scrap iron being dumped there. Society for homeless youngsters. The heap was growing daily, with almost everyone adding to it. Part of the village’s War Effort, it eventually filled two railway waggons, and produced £18: 10: 6d. for the Please note:- No 10.30 a.m. morning service that Agricultural Red Cross Fund. day, on 8th December. 1941 Major Phillips of Tomlin House, one of the teachers here with Mill Hill School, Decorating Christingles – Do come and join us in offered spare-time help to Mr. Atkinson at Abbey Farm. After beheading every thistle the creative fun decorating the Christingle oranges on a steep-sloping 11 acre field – new work for a schoolmaster, the paper observed – he with fruits and sweets – on Saturday 7 December in estimated he had destroyed forty- thousand of them. New College hall from 10.00 a.m to 12 noon. Please 1832 The ‘ Paquet reported “a pig of extraordinary weight and dimensions sign up on the church notice if you can provide being slaughtered by Mr. Henry Walker of Rottington; length 7 foot, girth 7 foot 11 Christingle oranges and ingredients. inches, thickness of fat on the chine 8 and a half inches, weight 59 stone and 2 pounds. Carols at Nethertown – A short service of readings and carols will be held at the The hams of this farmyard giant weighed 15 stone each.” Old Country Club, courtesy of John and Elizabeth Norton. Residents of Middletown, 1924 It was fortunate for 12-year old George Mallory that William Hinde was on hand Coulderton, Nethertown and Lakeland View Chalet Park (and St Bees) are very welcome. to rescue him when he got into difficulty off our beach. Fortunate, too, for climbing – for Wednesday 11th December, 2.00 p.m. Mallory became one of our leading mountaineers, and may well have been the world’s Crib Service & Carols round the tree – There will be an all-age service on Christmas first to reach the summit of Everest. Sadly neither he nor his companion Irvine survived to Eve, Tuesday 24 December at 4.00 p.m. in the Priory. The children will help set out the tell the tale. manger scene and carols will be sung. All are welcome to attend. 1907 “More fool than knave” was the Doctor’s opinion of an out-of-work plasterer who lit a fire in a Seacote outbuilding. He had been in trouble before, but according to the Friends of the Priory Concert will be on Monday 16 December at 7.30 p.m in the Priory. Police “was wonderfully improved since he came here, doing nothing but eat and sleep”. The Friends & choristers will present a programme of carols & readings. Mulled wine & He went to prison for fourteen days, nonetheless. festive fare will be served and a collection taken for Friends’ funds. All welcome. Bob Jopling Christmas Communion Services Midnight Communion at 11.30 pm on Tuesday 24 December Bob’s Jottings Christmas Day Communion at 10.00 am on Wednesday 25 December (one service only) Bob’s Jottings are on sale at the Priory and the Post Office - a lovely Christmas present of amusing and fascinating tales of St Bees in 1900’s. “O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant!”

2 23 22 3 What’s On at the Priory British Takemusu Aikido Men’s Breakfast will meet on Saturday 14 December from 8.00a.m. to 9.30a.m. in NCH. Come and learn a traditional Japanese Do join them for discussion and debate with a full breakfast, last session of the year. Faith martial art in St Bees, at the Old Gym at & Fry-up? St Bees School. Adult classes St Bees Youth Club – will meet on Friday 13 December from 7.00p.m. to 9.00 p.m. in Thursday night 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. NCH for activities. Teens welcome to come along to share in games, snacks and social Contact Adrian on 07951 999 192 or chat. email [email protected] for details or Church meetings & services – happening or not! Please note:- No PCC meeting in fi nd us on Facebook – Whitehaven Dojo December but they will meet on Tuesday 14 January at 7.30 p.m. in NCH to discuss our vision, Mission Action Plan and a future Stewardship campaign. Note also: No 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer on 2 Sundays – 1st December & 22nd December (Carol services)

Advent Thursday Communions - 10am, Thursday 28th Nov, 5th, 12th, 19th December

Christmas Gifts Christmas Gifts for senior St Beghians in local Care Homes will brighten their Christmas and remind them that we remember them. Please bring a small gift labelled for lady or gentleman to any December service, and place under the Christmas Tree in the Priory. Your gift will be warmly received. Sincere Thanks from Sue Davidson and Rosalie McAndrew on behalf of Boxes of Hope Cumbria to all who supported the appeal for families in Romania. A fantastic total of 70 shoe boxes came from the Priory and friends in Egremont; cash donations from church members; plus knitted hats, gloves and scarves, soft toys and knitted puppets, also spare box fi llers. All the boxes were delivered to the URC church in Whitehaven, ready for transport to Barrow and on to Romania. Thank you one and all!

Priory Flower Rota Mary Branford sends season’s greetings and good wishes for 2020 to all on the weekly fl ower rota and thanks for the many kind donations throughout the year, especially from our local growers. These are much appreciated and admired by locals and by visitors to the Priory. December Advent – no fl owers 25 Christmas Mrs P. Crichton January 5 Mrs A.McGill 12 The Bragg Family 19 Mrs M.McGee 26 Mrs M.McGee

4 21 Parish Council Santa Parade – Santa will be visiting the village on Tuesday 10 December. His sleigh will leave the turning circle by the entrance to the Fairladies estate at 6.15pm and will travel along Main Street where Santa will switch on the lights on the Christmas tree at Cross Hill. The traditional carol concert at the Lifeboat Station will follow later in the evening. Everyone (young or old!) is welcome to come and watch and join in the fun! Henry Wormstrup – the Parish Council was very sorry to learn of the recent death of Henry Wormstrup who served as County Councillor for St Bees/Egremont North for 4 years until 2017. Henry worked tirelessly for his constituents and regularly attended our Parish Council meetings. He will be much missed. Parking on Sea Mill Lane – we would like to ask residents to park considerately along the road to ensure that large vehicles such as the refuse lorry and recycling vehicle can reach all properties. Vacancy for a parish councillor – The Parish Council decided at its November meeting to co-opt Dave Rothery as a councillor to serve until 2023. We look forward to working with him and are sure that his experience will be a great asset to the Parish Council. Donations to Local Organisations – at its November meeting the Parish Council agreed to make donations to a number of local groups and organisations. As well as making a fi nancial contribution to the parish magazine, Village Hall and Royal British Legion, the Parish Council has also agreed to give donations to the Adams Ground Committee, the Over 60s Club, the Youth Club, The Great North Air Ambulance, Citizens Advice Copeland, Friends of the Priory and Furness Line Action Group. The Parish Council has also agreed to make a contribution of £100 towards the costs of refreshments at the RNLI carol concert. Coastal defence work- Network Rail has begun work to reinforce the rock armour alongside the railway between Sea Mill and Coulderton. The main base will be at Coulderton with rock being transported along the beach. CBC has secured funding to allow work to improve the defences to protect the properties and car park at Sea Mill. It is expected that work will be fi nished in January. Parish Council Meeting – The next meeting will be Mon 16 December at 6.30pm in the Village Hall. Meetings take place on the 3rd Monday of every month (except August) and members of the public are always very welcome to attend the meeting.

20 5 Love & Prayers Love & Prayers for Christmas comfort and healing go to all who are ill or recuperating – thinking especially of Hugh Turpin, Russell Atkinson, Joan Hewertson, Scarlett Smith & family, and Debbie Bowler. Many blessings on you all this Christmas. Sending Love and Get-well wishes to Annie Southam in Hospital after a car accident, as she recovers from her injuries. ‘Coast to Fells’ Mission Community events:- ‘Experience Christmas’ for adults, Wednesday 4 December, 7 pm, St Leonard’s Church, Advent Course on Celebrating Diff erence, St Bees NCH, 1.30 to 3 pm, Tuesdays 3/10/17 December. Advent Refl ection - Wednesday 11 December at 7.00 pm, Priory. Christmas Carol service at the Gables Care Home, Hensingham, Tuesday 17 December, 7.30 pm News Extra! Many sincere thanks to Andy & Liz Whyte (Hawkins) for hosting a wonderful Friends Quiz Night in memory of her father, Alan, our renowned former quizmaster. Thank you both for a superb evening and a generous buff et. The answers may not have been obvious, but the joy and fun certainly were. £420 was raised for the Organ Fund. See the stacks of Alan’s CDs of varied music, available at the Priory. Going for a song!!

6 19 News from the Village School The autumn term has simply fl own by and we are on countdown to Christmas which is one of our busiest times in the academic calendar. We have had lots of fun this term… Halloween - We had a fun fi lled Halloween Day in school. We held a competition for best costumes and we raised funds to add to the School Council current total which will be used to buy something to benefi t all the pupils in school before they hand over their badges to the new School Council representatives in the new year. Children in Need - We again took part in ‘Children in Need’ day this year and the children came to school dressed as spotty as they possibly could! We had lots of activities in the classrooms on the day, plus we had Pudsey merchandise on sale throughout the month; all for this very worthy cause! VSA Fundraising - The VSA have worked very hard again this year with their fundraising eff orts. The work they do for school is invaluable and we wish to say a huge “Thank You” to Claire Mason and her team. This year the VSA have provided us with enough funding to secure the following: iPads for each class, musical instruments, wooden toys for Reception class, a Mindstorm Robot for Lego League, additional equipment for the library, Christmas crafts for each class and a Sensory Room within school which we are very excited about! Our latest event was the Scarecrow Trail in October. We had a fantastic day and were truly blessed with the weather. The day turned out to be a huge success, raising vital money for school funds.As this goes to press we are awaiting our next event, the ‘Colours Fashion Show’ in mid-November which we are hoping will be as successful as the last one….. Many thanks to those who have supported these events in any way. Lego League - Following the success of last year’s Lego League competition, we are again entering a team from school and this time the theme is “My City”. We wish them all the best of luck in the fi rst county heat in January. Dates for your Diary: December Tuesday, 3rd Year 3 Trip to Tullie House Wednesday, 4th Christmas Dinner Day and Year 6 Parent’s Assembly 2.45p.m. Friday, 6th Infant Christmas Play dress rehearsal Tuesday, 10th Lifeboat Carol Service @ 7.00p.m. Santa expected in the village Wednesday, 11th Infant Christmas Play - 1.45 p.m. & 5.30 p.m. Thursday, 12th Infant Christmas Play – 1.45 p.m. Friday, 13th EYFS Christmas Play dress rehearsal Tuesday, 17th EYFS Christmas Play - morning and afternoon performances Wednesday, 18th Carol Service @ The Priory - 1.30 p.m. - Parents welcome Thursday, 19th Christmas Party Day Friday, 20th Christmas Jumper Day & School closes for Christmas (1.30 pm) January Tuesday, 7th School re-opens for Spring Term Tuesday, 28th Year 6 Parents Assembly 2.45p.m. Wednesday, 29th Lego League at We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

18 7 8 17 WI News RNLI Our November AGM and quiz evening went extremely well, the two teams got all the St Bees volunteers celebrate the life of Captain Goldwater. questions right! So it was a draw! The Committee for 2020 remains the same, with some new members joining us in the new year. Our Christmas meal is at the Queens Hotel on On the 10 October 2019 the crew at St Bees were Tuesday 10th December 7 for 7.30p.m. saddened to hear that their former Operations We re-start 2020 on Monday 13th January at 7.30p.m. when we will be welcoming Steve Manager Captain Leon Goldwater had passed Wilson: the talk is on The Golden Age of Poisons. Annual Subscriptions are now due, for away after a short illness. 2020 this is £43. This is excellent value for money, including 8 issues of WI life magazine, Leon who would have been 87 next month spent delivered to your door, a booklet of high street and holiday vouchers, free access to WI many years serving in the Merchant Navy gaining events locally, County wide and Nationally. his Master Mariners Certifi cate before leaving in Do come along become a member, make friends, have new experiences, learn things and 1970 to take up a role in teaching. During this time have fun! So leave the partner the kids, the kitchen sink, have a well earned night out! Leon started volunteering for Hartlepool RNLI New to St Bees or been here for years? Looking for an organisation to join? Join us, be before moving to Cumbria in 1972 to work as a part of an organisation two hundred thousand strong, where your voice is heard! We meet Probation Offi cer. monthly, the second Monday of the Month in New College Hall, in the grounds of St Bees Leon started with St Bees RNLI in 1973 as Priory; refreshments are included and we look forward to welcoming you. Honorary Secretary (Hon. Sec. now called I would like to thank our Committee and Members for their continued support during Lifeboat Operations Manager). Previous sea going 2019, and look forward to their return in 2020.Lastly, I wish all our members a very happy experience along with his time on Hartlepool’s all festive season, and best wishes for the New Year. weather lifeboat meant Captain Goldwater was Further details from Roxanne Benson Tel. 823137, www.facebook.com/St-Bees-WI, and well qualifi ed for the new position at St Bees. As Village Notice Boards. Hon. Sec. Leon was responsible for the lifeboat Seagalls and crew as well as the day-to-day running of the As usual our ever popular annual Cheese & Wine Evening was a great success. The station and remained in charge at St Bees until Oddfellows was practically bursting at the seams and guessing the wine (or rather being 2001. less able to guess it as we worked our way down the questionnaire) became very amusing! During his time at the station it went from just being operational during the summer Just as well there was a great variety of cheese and biscuits to soak it up. A wonderful months to being open all year round. He oversaw the introduction of three diff erent evening and many thanks to Margot for allowing us to use her premises once again! lifeboats and the building of a new station. Whilst Leon was in charge St Bees RNLI were Our next get-together is our Christmas Lunch which is being held at the Trout Hotel in involved in many diff erent rescues including fi shing boats that had gone onto the rocks, at 1.30p.m. on Friday 29th November. Travel arrangements to Cockermouth boats with engine failure, children cut off by the tide and even helping the Royal Navy’s are currently being arranged and we will be returning home by coach at 5p.m. bomb disposal team when a fi shing trawler dragged up a live bomb. On Wednesday 18th December we are planning an informal lunch for all who are After Leon stepped down as Operations Manager he took the position of Press Offi cer interested in attending. The venue is yet to be arranged and we will let you know as soon until 2014 and in 2007 he became Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group. Captain as it is confi rmed. This will be our fi nal get-together for 2019. Leon Goldwater was proud of his many years service to the RNLI and his lifeboat family There will be no meeting in January. Our fi rst meeting of the year will be on Tuesday at St Bees; he continued to visit the station on Tuesday nights to see the crew train and 4th February in the Seacote Hotel at 7.15p.m. and we look forward to meeting up with make sure they kept up the high standards he set during his time. everyone again on that date. We would also like to take this opportunity of thanking Tom Milburn and his staff for all their help throughout the year and for allowing us to use their After 40 years volunteering with the RNLI Leon was made an Honorary Life Governor in premises for our meetings. It is much appreciated. We would also like to thank all those 2010. involved in the Seagalls who have contributed in any way to yet another very successful St Bees lifeboat station has been operating since 1970. To learn more about the lifeboat year and we wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and Very Best Wishes to All for station go to http://www.rnli.org.uk/StBees 2020. Thank you. Angela Hargreaves

16 9 St Bees School News Updates from the School… Cornerstone Christian Bookshop - A big thank you to everyone, who supported our stall at the pop-in café. If you missed us, the bookshop on Church Street, Whitehaven is open It has been a busy start to this half term! Mr Sinnett and Ceara (Head of Marketing and from 10 am Monday to Saturday until 4.00 pm. Wednesday’s we close at 1.30 pm. Admissions) spent time in Berlin meeting and building relationships with agents at a global exhibition to help drive recruitment in coming years. Following this successful Caroline Lowman, Manager weekend, the next trip saw us travel down to London, where we spent two days meeting The Multi-Charities Christmas Fair was a great success. Thanks to everyone who prospective parents at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea. We met some lovely supported the Annual Charities Sale in Old College Hall at Remembrance weekend. The families and were excited to have the chance to convey our enthusiasm for our unique organiser Carole Woodman reports takings of nearly £2000, plus the proceeds for Hospice school and the opportunities we are able to off er through our location, curriculum and at Home for Felicity Watson’s refreshments with her cakes & preserves. Chris Robson is sister schools. delighted to say that he raised £500 with sales of local artists’ paintings – again all monies We are also delighted to announce that the two campuses in China are open! A ‘St Bees donated to Hospice by the artists this year. Deb Lee reports funds raised on her Traidcraft China’ Primary School can now be found in Shijiazhuang (a few hours south of Beijing), stall with tombola of £800 – an amazing total. It was certainly well worth the eff ort for with a Secondary School in Dongguan in the south of China. Both of these schools will all 12 charities involved in promoting their causes. Special thanks to the strong arm welcome their fi rst students in September 2020 and we can’t wait! volunteers for clearing the halls, setting up the tables and art boards and putting all back – Colin, Dick and Jack, Tom and Kelvin, Lakeland Trails Phil and Chris – you’re all stars! By opening the new schools in China, we are now able to fully complete our unique ‘Fusion Curriculum’, off ering a free-fl ow of learning. This will give St Bees and Chinese- Gill Richardson would like to thank all friends and family for all the cards, fl owers, gifts based students the option to exchange schools during their education. Our students will and support she has received while recuperating from her hip operation. It has been much soon be able to explore and experience a diff erent culture. The curriculum will run in appreciated. parallel, allowing for a seamless transition between all of the schools. Congratulations on the arrival of baby Ash, to Clare and Stuart, a brother for Joe, at 29 The opening event in China was attended by 1,000 interested parents, and guests included The Crofts. Roger Sinnett (Headmaster of St Bees School), Mark George (Head of the Trustees of St The Over 60s Christmas dinner will take place at the Seacote Hotel on December 10th Bees) and Mike Starkie (Mayor of Copeland). 12 30 for 1.00 p.m. Please bring a wrapped gift. On December 17th at 3.00 p.m. our Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from St Bees School Christmas tea will be in the Oddfellows Pub hosted by Mrs Margaret Thompson. This will include entertainment. The committee would like to wish all our members a happy Pioneer Award Scheme Christmas and we will see you all in the New Year. Gill Richardson We have a few spaces left for our Pioneer Award Scheme, designed to off er students with Amnesty West Cumbria Group will hold their annual Cakes & Carols afternoon on potential the opportunity to join us at St Bees School. We are looking for the movers and Saturday 14th December at 3.00p.m. for a Christmas social with carol singers, lots of shakers of the future, any children with potential. If your child excels at music, sport, cakes and a petition to sign - and Write for Rights leafl ets – admission £5. Venue – the drama, debating, art, global awareness... contact us for more details. Alexanders, High Spinney, Hensingham. Please contact Rosalie McAndrew or Jon Mellor St Bees School Christmas Carol Service for details. We would like to extend an invitation to all for our Christmas Carol Service on Friday The Robson family would like to thank all those who have been supportive to us in the 13th December. This will take place from 3pm – 4.15pm. The evening will start with months before and after Charm’s death. It is good to record that over £3,000 has been mulled wine and mince pies in Foundation Building followed by a carol service in The raised for Hospice at Home and the Priory Organ Fund. Chapel. Please RSVP by 6th December by contacting [email protected] Cumbria Rungwe Community Link (CRCL) will be hosting their Christmas cafe in Swimming Pool Hodgetts Hall on Sunday 15 December from 10.00 a.m. To 3:30 p.m. This popular event will off er hot & cold drinks, breakfast rolls, home made soups, pies, cakes and biscuits. Our general swim sessions can be found below. For more information please email Ann There will be a Christmas crossword and a raffl e. All proceeds will go to CRCL - funding on [email protected]. Please note the swimming pool will close from 18th their work in Tanzanian schools and bringing Tanzanian students over for their trip of a December. The pool will reopen on the 6th January but the timetable is to be confi rmed lifetime. Come along, have a drink, something to eat & catch up with friends in the run up so keep an eye on our website for an updated timetable. to Christmas! Thanks, Nancy Lawton

10 15 Festive village activities! On Sunday 22nd December at 7.30p.m. there will be traditional carol singing in the Oddfellows Arms, with a selection of festive songs later in the evening. The New Priory Noticeboard has been erected at the church entrance, in time for Christmas events and 2020 celebrations. Thanks to the stalwart gents who helped to The traditional St Bees Mummers will be out and about in the hostelries of the village install this – it’s looking very smart and a great asset to the Priory. on Christmas Eve – performing their medieval melodrama – to entertain and amaze you. All proceeds will go to the RNLI. Looking ahead to the New Year, there will be a Family Beetle Drive in Hodgett’s Village Hall on Saturday 18th January at 5.00pm. Tickets @ £5/£2.50 or £10 family may be Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New! On New Year’s Eve the Priory bells will ring out the obtained from Vikki Ford-Powell Tel.07932434928. old year half-muffl ed, and on the stroke of midnight, ring in the New Year with resounding chimes! Spectators are welcome to visit the belfry from 11.30p.m onwards, if you can Claiming date - Arts Society - the next lecture will be on Wednesday 19 February. manage to climb the steep spiral stairs – at the foot of the tower near the lychgate. Pop-In Café & Polling Day St Bees Priory 900 Years Anniversary Please note that New College Hall will be used as a Polling Station on Thursday 12 December from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm – and Pop-In Café will be held in the Priory that day. As we come to the end of another year, we look forward to celebrating the 900 Years Anniversary of our Priory in 2020. Throughout the current year our Vicar, Rev’d Becky The last Pop-In of the year will be on Thursday 19 December in NCH and the gentlemen Gibbs, has been writing in St Bees News about some of the exciting events being will be catering, with Frank on the carolling keyboard! Thanks to all for your wonderful organised. As such, there are various teams working away to make them happen. The support throughout the year and to our amazing catering teams. Next Pop-In will be on purpose of this note is to remind our readers about the anniversary and hopefully, support Thursday 9 January 2020. the celebrations. Nevertheless ,there is still plenty of room for new ideas and suggestions. Merry Christmas to you all! Hence, I would encourage you to bring these forward. I would be extremely grateful if you could contact me via my email address [email protected]. Tractor Trundle will be taking place as usual on Boxing Day. Meeting at the Seacote carpark at 10.am and setting off in procession at 11.00 am. Collection for RNLI. Merry Christmas and a Happy (Anniversary) 2020. Organised by St Bees West Cumbria Vintage Club. Grant Gilmour (Chairman) & 900 Years Planning Team. St Bees Charity Pram Race is also on Boxing Day, organised by Albert Hotel. It starts at Friends of the Priory Christmas 2.00 pm, racing from the Turning Circle along Main Street to the Albert Hotel. Concert The Friends will be staging their annual Christmas St Bees Priory and Village Orchestra Concert at the Priory on Monday 16 December, 7.30 pm St Bees Priory and Village Orchestra are having their Winter Concert in the Priory Owing to the fact that The Priory Singers have not met on December 14 at 11.00 a.m. This year’s programme includes music by Handel, since the summer, the concert on 16th December will Tchaikovsky and Mozart, together with traditional carols and songs and music from the be somewhat diff erent, yet will be of a similar format Polar Express: a truly eclectic selection! with carols with audience participation and other Come and join us – entrance is free and there will entertainment which is being organised at present. The be tea/coff ee/juice with biscuits and cake served Friends aim to provide mulled wine and refreshments as afterwards in New College Hall, where you will be usual. able to meet with the orchestra. Saturday 9th November was The Friends’ Family Film If you play a string or wind instrument and are Night. Arranged by Becky for The Friends, the fi lm was interested in joining please make yourself known to Mary Poppins Returns. An appreciative audience of us and we will happily give you more information, or children of all ages (from OAPs to the very young) watched accompanied by popcorn and ring me – Alison Morris on 822640. drinks. Many thanks to Becky and a most generous audience.

14 11 Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year The Parish Council would like to wish to all friends in St Bees from Bob & Thelma Christmas Greetings everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Jopling Best wishes for a joyful and peaceful Happy New Year Sending Seasons Greetings and Best John & Sally Kennedy send all their love and Christmas and a Happy New Year from Wishes for a Peaceful New Year to friends best wishes to all for a Blessed Christmas & a and neighbours from Malcolm and Cath Joyful New Year the Vicar and family, the Ministry Team & Lightfoot Dave and Val Maudsley with their family Churchwardens Joan Hewertson and family wish friends and wish all friends and relatives a Happy Maureen & Philip Barratt wish all their Dawn Mills and Catherine Williams wish neighbours a Merry Christmas and a Happy Christmas & a Peaceful 2020 friends and neighbours in St Bees a very Christmas fun and laughter to all and a and Prosperous New Year. happy Christmas and a prosperous 2020. peaceful and loving 2020. John & Eleanor Haile wish everyone Greetings from Irene Palmer in Bradford-on- Blessings and Happiness for Christmas and Ken and Gill Richardson would like to wish Colin & Joan wish all their friends & Avon. Happy Christmas and all the best for 2020. all friends and family a Happy Christmas and neighbours a Happy Christmas & peaceful the New Year to my friends and neighbours a Healthy New Year New Year Wishing all our friends and neighbours the Elizabeth Cotes would like to wish all happiest of Christmasses and a peaceful May the peace, joy and hope of Christmas Mark, Sarah, Tom & Emma George would her friends and acquaintances in St Bees, New Year. With love from Audrey, Kevin, be with you today and always. With warmest like to wish all their friends and neighbours Sandwith and Nethertown a Happy William, Amelia and Samuel Agnew wishes from Dorothy Warbrick a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Christmas and a healthy New Year Healthy New Year We wish everyone a joyful and heart-warming Christmas Greetings and best wishes for To all our friends and supporters of the Christmas. Love Anna & Dick 2020 from Leonie and Ian Hill to all our Let’s celebrate our Lord’s birth with Oddfellows, have a lovely Christmas and a friends and neighbours generous and thankful hearts. Happy very Happy New Year, from Margaret, Lisa Jackie Walker wishes all friends in St Bees a Christmas everyone! With love, Sandy and and Faith Happy Christmas and a Good New Year Alex and Eileen O’Fee would like to take this Anne Mackenzie opportunity to wish all friends and relatives a Chris and the Robson family send their Ian Watson sends Christmas Greetings to all Happy Christmas and Peaceful 2020. Mary Todd (Cockermouth) sends love and warmest wishes to all friends in St Bees his friends in St Bees. Christmas Greetings to all her friends in St parish for a Happy Christmas and a Good Jim and Anne Baker wish all their friends Bees and best wishes for 2020. Christmas Greetings and best wishes for in the parish a very happy Christmas and a New Year 2020 from Patricia McDonnell blessed New Year. Derek & Joyce Ashley wish all relatives, Gweneth & Neville Denson would like to friends and neighbours a very Happy A Happy & Peaceful Christmas to all from wish all their friends & acquaintances in Russell, Doreen and Cameron Hall wish all Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year Gladys Lawler. friends in St Bees a Merry Christmas and a St.Bees a very blessed & peaceful Christmas Happy and Healthy New Year Edward and Blanche Arch would like to send & a happy, healthy & prosperous 2020 & Gill Burgess would like to thank all her Christmas Greetings and good wishes for to thank them for their support throughout friends and neighbours for their kindness Christmas Greetings and best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year to all their 2019. over the last few months and wish them all a every joy and happiness in the New Year friends and acquaintances in St Bees and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Wishing all our friends and neighbours in to all in St Bees and outlying villages from surrounds. Derek and Mary McGee St.Bees a Happy and Peaceful Christmas. Mary and Ernie Branford send Seasons Adam, Emma, Alice & Bump of Pam and Peter Argyle Greetings and all Good Wishes for New Year Best wishes to all friends and neighbours for 23 Fairladies would like to wish their friends to family, friends in St Bees a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy and family a very Happy Christmas and New 2020 from Ian & Rosalie McAndrew Year

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