Pam Birdsall, 14 Church Street, Byfield.
01327 260861
pam@cornbrooke.demon.co.uk

DATELINE:  MONDAY 5TH MAY 2008

BENEFICE CHURCH SERVICES
This week’s services are as follows:

Wednesday 7th May:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

Sunday 11th May – Pentecost/Whit Sunday, also start of Christian Aid Week:
8.30am  Holy Communion at Aston le Walls
9.30am  Holy Communion at Boddington
11am  Holy Communion at Byfield
6pm  Benefice Songs of Praise with Daventry Brass Band, followed by Bumper Tea, at Byfield

Wednesday 14th May:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

 

MID-SHIRES’ QUIRES’ DAY
The fourth Mid-Shires’ Quires’ Day was held recently in Byfield Village Hall, and an interesting day it was, too.

Immanuel’s Ground, Warwick’s West Gallery Quire, invited us to a day of West Gallery Music, exploring psalms, hymns, and carols from the mid-shires of yesteryear.

It was well attended, singers and instrumentalists having come from near and far to take part, one couple even travelling from Kent!  It being a good day, the windows and doors were opened and the sound of voices raised in song travelled far for more to enjoy.

For more information about Immanuel’s Ground contact Pat Cannell on 01327 260483.

BYFIELD ACM
Many people attended the Annual Church Meeting for Holy Cross Church, Byfield, held on Monday 28th April.

Besides hearing about the work of the church over the last year the focus was in thanking Jean Hicks for all her work over many years as Church Warden.  To show their gratitude, church members presented her with a card and a bouquet of flowers.

The newly elected Parochial Church Council comprises Heather Brehcist, Chris Buck, Ann Caldwell, Chris Cross, Lyn Grennan, Christine Hawkins, Ursula Hill, Liz Kemp, Sheila Snook, Barry Thompson (co-opted), and Lynne Williams.

There being no Church Warden elected, Holy Cross Church now has no Church Wardens.

VILLAGE CLUB
The Village Club is open EVERY Bank Holiday from midday, and Monday 5th May is no exception.

There will be a Prize Pairs Dominoes Competition on Friday 23rd May at 8pm.

Entry is £3 per team, and in a change from the usual format, you can choose your partner before the event (anyone without a partner should still sign up and a partner should be found for them on the night).

The entry form is in the Club, and food and a raffle will, as always, be on offer.

If you want to see Kent Duchaine perform Delta Blues music with his fantastic Leadbessie on Sunday 1st June you need to hurry.  There are less than 20 tickets unsold for this ticket-only event; they are available from the Club bar at £3 each.  The performance starts at 3.30pm, and there will be a buffet.

SCHOOL PENTECOST SERVICE
Byfield School will hold its Pentecost service in Holy Cross Church at 2pm on Thursday 8th May.

COFFEE AND CHAT
Coffee and Chat will be held on Friday 9th May, from 10.30am to 12noon in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall.

Everyone is welcome for refreshments and conversation.

200 CLUB
Winners of this draw, which is held in aid of the Holy Cross Action Project, receive either £50 or £25.

It costs £12 per year per number for twelve monthly draws for the two prizes on offer, and the draw is usually held after the 11am service of Holy Communion on the second Sunday of each month.

If you have not yet purchased your numbers contact Jean on 01327 261257 to be in with a chance to win.

SONGS OF PRAISE
Sunday 11th May is Whit Sunday, and Holy Cross Church will be celebrating Pentecost (its other name) with a Benefice Songs of Praise at 6pm.

The singing will be led by Daventry Brass Band, and the service will be followed by a Bumper Tea for all.

All are welcome to this celebration of the birthday of the Church, which will be held in the churchyard if the weather is fine, inside the church if not, so take something along with you to sit on.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK, 11TH – 18TH MAY
Sunday 11th May is also the beginning of Christian Aid Week, and volunteers will be calling at all the homes in Byfield to collect the envelopes which will be left early in the week.

If you are a British tax-payer your donation will be increased by the Government if you complete the Gift-Aid details on the flap of the envelope, authorizing Christian Aid to claim back the tax you have already paid on the amount of your donation.

There is no obligation to give anything, but whatever you can give will be put to good use bringing hope to vulnerable people worldwide.

RBL MEETING
Because of the May Bank Holiday the May meeting will now take place on the second Monday of the month – the 12th.

It had been planned to visit the railway layout of Woodford in Steam Days at the Railway Club, but it is unfortunately out of commission at the moment, so the meeting will be held in the usual venue, the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall, at 8pm.

All are welcome to attend meetings – members, spouses, non-members and those who have no military background at all.

JT CLUB
The next ‘Jesus on Tuesday’ Club meeting will be on Tuesday 13th May in the School Hall of Byfield School and is open to all primary school age children.

It meets from 3.15pm to 4.45pm, and parents and guardians are invited to join in the final 5 minutes for the closing prayer and song.

If you are interested in your child attending the JT Club contact the Rector (01327 260204), Jean Hicks (01327 261257), or Sheila Snook (01327 260800) for further details.

PLANT SALE
The annual Plant Sale in aid of Holy Cross Church Action Project is from 2pm – 4.30pm on Saturday 17th May at Liz Kemp’s home, 30 Church Street.

Cream Teas, cakes, and a raffle will be on offer, as well as a wide variety of locally grown plants for your home and garden.

SURF AND TURF NIGHT
Byfield Nursery is holding a Horse Racing and Fish and Chip Supper in Byfield Village Hall on Saturday 17th May, 7.30pm – 10.30pm.

Place your bets for a great night out with bar, tote prizes, and Auction Race.  Tickets are £10 each, including supper, and are available from Byfield Nursery on 01327 264230 or Hazel Halton on 01327 263859.

All funds raised will go to Byfield Nursery Development Fund.

SABBATICAL AND SCONES
The Rector, Revd Lynda Randall, and Bishop Frank will be talking about their recent Sabbaticals over tea and scones in Aston le Walls Village Hall at 4pm on Sunday 18th May.

This will be followed by Evensong in St Leonard’s Church at the unusual time of 5.30pm, when Bishop Frank will preach.

If you would like to attend, please let Susan Fagg know in advance to aid with the catering numbers (01295 660886).

MOBILE LIBRARY VAN
The mobile van will be calling around Byfield on Tuesday, 20th May, at the following places and times: Boddington Road – 11.25am-11.45pm; Greenwood Close – 11.50pm-12.05pm; 7 Lovett Road – 12.10pm-12.25pm; and Becketts Close – 12.30pm-12.45pm.

CRICKET
Byfield Cricket Club will start Kwik Cricket training suitable for the Under 10’s at the Brightwell on Tuesday 20th May from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.  Please bring along a drink and wear a track suit and trainers.

If any parent has experience of cricket training and would be interested in helping out please contact Claire on 01327 260173.

Junior outdoor cricket training has already started, and takes place at the Brightwell for Under 11's and Under 13's on Tuesdays, and Under 15's on Thursdays, all at 6.30 pm.

Under 11’s matches are played on a Wednesday evening, Under 13's on a Sunday morning, and Under 15’s on a Monday evening.

For further information please call Claire on 01327 260173.

NAB RESOURCES
The Mobile Information and Resource Vehicle of the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind will be parked in Byfield Village Hall’s car park for one hour on Thursday 22nd May.

From 11.15am-12.15pm information and advice will be available to any visually impaired person, their carers, friends, and family.

NAB is a local independent charity working exclusively in Northamptonshire to help visually impaired people.

MEN’S BREAKFAST
The next meeting will take place on 31st May when David Russell from Bodicote will be speaking about his trek along ‘The Inca Trail’.  Meetings are at 8.30am on the last Saturday of the month in the Bromley Room.

BYFIELD BALL
Byfield School Parent/Teacher Association will be presenting the Byfield Ball in Byfield Village Hall on Saturday 12th July, and tickets will go on sale at Byfield School Hall between 10am and 12noon on Saturday 7th June, so get your party together and mark your diary now!

Tickets cost £35, including a three-course dinner and coffee.  Dancing will be to Candystripes (formerly Clearcut) and the dress code is Black Tie.

BYFIELD CHURCH FETE
Saturday 14th June
12noon – 8pm
With just over a month to go, preparations for this year’s fete are well under way.  The venue, as previously, is Church End House, with the very kind permission of Charles and Janie Mann.

Involvement from all village organisations has been invited – some have already outlined stalls and activities they intend to hold and it is very much hoped that most will be present on the day in one form or another – please make contact as soon as possible with your ideas and requirements.

Already confirmed in the way of activities are: bouncy castle, face painting, penalty shoot-out, scalextric racing, dog show, display of birds of prey, hot air balloon (tethered flights – weather permitting), tug of war (get your team together!), human fruit machine, and many others.

Thirsts and appetites will be satisfied on the day by the barbecue, licensed bar, tea, coffee and cake stall.  Rain shelter will be available in the event of inclement weather!

You will note that the finish time is 8pm – the licensed bar and barbecue will continue with live entertainment from 4pm to include the Daventry Music Centre, Josh and Nat, Richard Buck and the professional jazz quartet “Jazz Salon Rouge”.  So, if you can’t make the day, join them for the evening!

Any enquiries, offers of help or suggestions, please contact John Thorp on 01327 260103 or 07989 569082.

WORKSHOP AND CONCERT
Love singing?  Then sign up to join Byfield’s community choir in a Workshop and Concert on Saturday 20th September in Byfield Village Hall.

The Lost Choir Singers are hosting a Workshop to be led by ‘Craig;Morgan;Robson’, excellent a-capella singers and community choir leaders, whose workshops have been described as ‘accessible, inspiring, informative, and fun!’

Workshops will run from 11am – 4.30pm, with breaks for a Bring-and-Share lunch and tea, drinks being available from the Village Hall Committee all day.

There will be a bar at the concert, which will start at 7.30pm and feature ‘Craig;Morgan;Robson’, and tickets for the concert only cost £6.  Places on the Workshop cost £10 each, including the Concert.

Booking forms are available from Pat Cannell on 01327 260483 or cannell@clara.co.uk, or from Ann Caldwell on 01327 260993.

LIGHT THE SPIRE
If you have a special occasion coming up, why not mark it by having the church spire lit up?

It only costs £5 per night, and is easily arranged: just contact Jean Hicks on 01327 261257 and give her all the necessary details.

It could be a birthday, an anniversary, someone passing an exam or driving test – or just to say ‘I love you’ to a special someone!  No-one else needs to know why the spire is lit – but you will!

So for that special gift or occasion – light the spire!

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