The Parish of St Bridget, West Kirby with Caldy, The Resurrection and All Saints - Review 2019 - St Bridget's, West Kirby
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The Parish of St Bridget, West Kirby
with
Caldy, The Resurrection and All Saints
Review 2019Contents Bible Crew ..................................................................... 7 Caldy Church Gardens .............................................. 5 Caldy Open Gardens ................................................. 5 CAMEO ......................................................................... 3 Christmas Day Lunch ................................................ 2 Earth Festival ............................................................... 5 ECO-Church ................................................................ 6 Inclusive Church .......................................................... 8 lona ................................................................................. 8 Knit and Natter Fellowship Group ......................... 13 Lent Event .................................................................... 11 Life Expectancy Wirral .............................................. 8 Link Coffee Shop ........................................................ 1 Link Newsletter ........................................................... 7 Men’s Luncheon Club ................................................ 1 Mothers’ Union ............................................................ 4 Parish Office ................................................................. 9 Parish Magazine ........................................................... 7 Pastoral Link Scheme ................................................ 1 Safeguarding ................................................................ 3 Schools’ work ............................................................... 10 St Bridget’s Handbell Ringers .................................. 13 St Bridget’s Ringing and Ringers ............................ 12 St Bridget’s Centre .................................................... 9 St Bridget’s Church Grounds .................................. 5 St Bridget’s Church Music ........................................ 13 St Bridget’s Educational Trust ................................ 4 St Bridget’s Healing Prayer Group .......................... 2 St Bridget’s Music Group ......................................... 12 St Bridget’s Storytelling Service ............................. 3 St Bridget’s Flower Guild .......................................... 13 Summer Fair ................................................................. 2 Traidcraft ...................................................................... 6
At work in the community
Link Coffee Shop 2019 The sales table, operated by John and
We have continued to open every Carole Steel, had, by the end of 2019, raised
Wednesday, with the exception of Christmas almost £1950 for the Enhancement Fund.
Day. Surplus vegetables from allotments are
Attendances on most weeks have been sold to support Wirral Food Bank.
over fifty. Many small meetings take place in We are grateful to all those who give up
the coffee shop to discuss church service time to operate the Coffee Shop week by
planning and other parish business. The St. week.
Bridget’s music group are regular attenders, Edward Edwards
discussing the music to be played at the All
Age Parish Communion. Pastoral Link Scheme
Within the shop we are delighted to serve Records show, as I can best calculate, that
members of the Knitters Group. about 70 people were involved in the pastoral
The visits by children from St. Bridget’s visiting scheme in one way or another during
School are greatly looked forward to. Their 2019. The scheme can best be viewed as a
charm certainly increases sales from the group of friends who keep in touch, meet
cake stall. Their reward seems to be the up and look out for each other. Many people
consumption of large quantities of biscuits! have been involved in the scheme for quite
An increasing number of parents have some time, while others are involved only for
visited us. a short period while temporarily housebound
Again this year, on seven Wednesdays, a or immobile after surgery, for example. The
Lenten Lunch was provided at St. Bridget’s scheme is very informal, which has both
Centre when soup and cheese were served. benefits and disadvantages. Lockdown in
The lunch was organised by Liz Ashley. March 2020, which started after the period
We are grateful to all who provided soup covered by this report, obviously has made
and helped each week. a difference in what is needed from the
Donations made after the lunches enabled scheme and the church community in
us to make contributions to local charities. general, and this difference will be long-
Holy Week, Wednesday, was marked with lasting. A proper review has not yet been
hot cross buns. carried out, but it will come. Please let the
On the last Wednesday before Christmas parish office know, office@stbridgetschurch.
mince pies were served. St. Bridget’s Music org.uk, of news (happy or unhappy) involving
Group provided seasonal music and led us in any parishioners, whether or not they are
singing carols. friends with whom you are in close contact.
Added interest has been provided by the Mary Rees
Fairtrade Stall and a Table Sale of unwanted
gifts, books and memorabilia. Cakes were Men’s Luncheon Club
again on sale, baked by Sally Cashen. We had to wind up the men’s lunch club
As the result of the café activity we have last October. Our numbers had been going
been able to donate over £1350 to the down steadily over the last couple of years,
PCC. Of this £1050 was for St. Bridget’s and we took the decision with a heavy heart.
Enhancement Appeal. This supported the No new gentlemen were coming forward to
rewiring and upgraded lighting in St. Bridget’s join so we felt that the need for the monthly
Church. meeting had run its course. Should the
1need arise in the future, I’m sure it could be youngsters whose inventive recycling of
restarted, maybe in a different format, to products let for interesting and beautiful
meet the needs of our parish. displays.
Audrey Briggs The crowds enjoyed super performances
on the field by the Maypole dancers from St
St. Bridget’s Healing Prayer Group Bridget’s’ school, along with music The Wirral
There are now only four members of our Symphony Orchestra, the magnificent Off
group: Joyce Preston, Barbara Adams, Liz Pitch Choir, as well as our own St Bridget’s
Povall and Joan Mates. We meet once a Happiness Band. Entertainment for the
week but we do have a ring of prayer when children included the Bouncy Castle, face
there is special need. painting, donkey rides, Punch & Judy, and
Although we are few in number, we do have the ever popular Beat the Goalie - which
a lot of encouragement from many of our exhausted our willing volunteers led by Dave
church family, for which we are thankful. Waring! As always the cake, plant, book,
At the moment of course we do not meet chutney & jams and various stalls proved
in person, but join together in the power most attractive, raising much needed funds
of the Holy Spirit at our usual time on a for our Appeal. This year’s raffle was very
Wednesday Afternoon. Each of us feel it is popular, the strawberries & ice-cream was
a privilege to do this work and our meetings a sell out and the ever popular burgers and
are a time of truly resting in the power of the liquid refreshment provided by the Tap on
Spirit. A quiet oasis in the hustle of the day. the field, along with the tea and cakes in the
We know God is with us as when two or three Hall, recharged all for the afternoon. Thanks
are gathered in His name he is in the midst are due to so many for giving of their time
and will grant their request. We meet at 83 and skills to make the day run so well - there
Westbourne Road. are so many people involved in everything
Please do get in touch if you want us to from programme design, bakery skills, to
pray for anyone or anything. We do have a washing up the hundreds or tea mugs - many
strict code of confidentiality; please do keep thanks one and all!
requests coming. Audrey Briggs
Joan Mates
Christmas Day Lunch 2019
The Summer Fair 2019 We have organised this lunch for some
The Fair starts with a gathering of strong years now and we are most grateful to all
volunteers, early in the morning, who those volunteers who have given their
tirelessly put up all the gazebos and tables time so freely over the years. This year we
and chairs before enjoying their reward of a entertained fifty or so people from the
bacon bun. West Kirby area who would otherwise be
The 2019 St Bridget’s Summer Fair on their own on this special day. They were
was opened by the former England and welcomed by John Bleazard and enjoyed a
Liverpool FC legend John Barnes, who was traditional turkey lunch and they later sang
most entertaining and entertained all with carols and participated in a raffle before
a wonderful performance of Football is departing home with a gift supplied by a local
Coming Home. charity. Some were transported home by our
New for this year’s Fair was a Floral Art volunteers. Our thanks to all those who then
competition open to all ages with the theme cleared up leaving the Centre neat and tidy
of recycling. It attracted a good entry from Syd Ford
2Cameo 2019 slight change of plan from that discussed in
For anyone who doesn’t know what January. We usually go for a local walk in May
Cameo is, we are a group that grew out of but we decided instead to go to the Light
the Young Families/Wives group many years Night in Liverpool. That still involves walking!
ago. For some meetings, particularly when Some of us went over independently, others
space is no problem, we invite husbands met up and started off together then
and/or friends to join us. We usually meet at separated as we wanted to see different
a member’s house. things. There is so much to do that it is
We met in January to arrange our impossible to see everything.
programme for the year and to do a quiz We had a second visit in June to the Little
or two. We try to sort out dates as much Theatre to see Secondary Cause of Death
as possible so that everyone can put the and then our BBQ in July. We next met in
events in their diaries. This usually works well. November to see “The United Kingdom” at
(The importance of this was evident this year a member’s house, then in December we
as the “to be arranged” dates went rather finished off the year as usual with carols,
haywire in August to October!) mince pies and mulled wine.
In February we went to the wonderful Little I would like to thank everyone who helped
Theatre in Birkenhead to see the Carlton to arrange all this and volunteered their
Players in Blithe Spirit. Then, in March, we houses for us to meet in.
went out for a meal at Est in West Kirby. It If you want any more information, or wish
was lovely to see so many people there. We to join the group, please contact Jane Tann
discussed our favourite books etc in April (625 1234)
at a member’s house, then in May we had a Jane Tann
Children & Families
St. Bridget’s Storytelling Service 2019- their experience. In addition to the services,
2020 the families have continued the tradition of
The storytelling services take place in the a yearly camping trip. This year we camped
church centre at 10 am on Sunday mornings beside lake Bala and had a wonderful
in term time, and are usually attended by couple of days of boating, fires and singing.
10-15 people. We broadly follow the Sunday Unfortunately, that can’t happen this year,
readings heard in the main church building but we look forward to resuming normal
as a guide to our storytelling, though we service in 2021.
sometimes innovate in response to events Andrew Gibb
and priorities. A short liturgy with a song
and prayers surround the story which can Safeguarding
be pursued in whatever way appeals to There have been no disclosures or matters
the teller. We have been very fortunate to report. The Church continues to promote
to have regular input form Mary & Graham its safeguarding policy on its leaflet which is
and Anne and Ray, which brings a wealth of handed out in church.
skills and understanding to the service. The I would ask that when leaflets are posted
children enjoy each others company and through the doors of the congregation
their enjoyment of biscuits and football on or distributed to the general public, we
the field afterwards is an important part of continue to ensure our safeguarding policy
3wording is put on these documents. It is Care Home where very sadly she died on 30
even more important to have a visible policy March 2020.
when we reach out to the public in general. Barbara Adams was commissioned as our
Bethan Halpenny-Collins leader on Mothering Sunday, March 31st
2019 and two new members, Jennifer Wood
St Bridget’s Educational Trust and Alison Wright, were admitted to our
Gerry Ellis had resigned as a Trustee before branch. John Bleazard made it a very special
the October meeting and John Bleazard service.
and Brenda Buttle resigned at the close During the year we had some very
of that meeting. Brenda had served since interesting speakers. For Anne and Ray
September 1994 and Gerry since October Samuels’ ‘Love Story’ we were asked to bring
1999. The new Rector will automatically an item representing love. We had a lovely
become a Trustee. To replace Brenda and afternoon getting to know them and they us.
Gerry we welcome Anne Waring and Cllr Julie Palmer from the Wirral Women’s and
Alison Wright. Anne was appointed by St Children’s Aid came to tell us about the
Bridget’s PCC and Alison by Wirral Borough refuge in Rock Ferry and we took along lots
Council. of knickers and toiletries for her to take back.
Grants were made to finance the Advent The Rev. Canon Ian Davenport, ‘Queens
Link Newsletter, electrical equipment for Chaplain’, came to tell us about his work. We
St. Bridget’s and books for St. Michael’s. It watched the film ‘I Daniel Blake’ which gave
was agreed to allow St. Bridget’s School to us all a lot to think about. Rosie Griffiths (a
spend up to £250 on classroom bibles.It member of our congregation) came to tell
was decided that we would discourage the us about her work in India and Mark Statham
churches from making regular requests and from ‘Street Pastors’ came to tell us about
concentrate on one-off items.We contacted the work they do in Birkenhead and Liverpool.
each other by e-mail for the March meeting. We had lunch at the Gravesberrie followed
This was slow and cumbersome but in the by a visit to Holy Cross Church, Woodchurch,
end all was achieved. The only grants made where the Rev. Peter Mills told us the history
were to four students. Each received £350. of the church. This was followed by tea and
The Trustees felt that the Scheme needed Welsh cakes. The committee provided
a small change and decided to contact the Afternoon Tea in September when everyone
Charity Commissioners to try to effect ate too much and we had Christmas Dinner
that change. We want to be able to make a at the Greave Dunning in December.
grant to young people in the congregation Some members attended the Diocesan
whatever primary school they attended. At Festival in Chester Cathedral on 9th March
the moment we can only award students 2019 and the Deanery Festival at St. Peters
who attended St. Bridget’s school unless Lower Heswall on September 20th.
they are studying a religious topic. Friends and members of the congregation
John Steel are always welcome to our meetings and
during the year many visitors came along.
Mother’s Union If you would like to join us please speak to
We started the year with 33 members on Barbara Adams or Carole Steel.
roll. During the year a number of members Carole Steel (Secretary)
suffered from ill health, Averill Yeats was
admitted to Upton Manor Care Home and
Miriam Wainwright was admitted to Fairfield
4Care for the Environment
St Bridget’s Church grounds Caldy Church Gardens
Mike Brady continues to keep the We are very fortunate at Caldy to have
churchyard looking good. Mowing and s superb gardens so well maintained by John.
trimming the grass areas, pruning bushes and The gardens surround our church and greatly
moving ant hills. And in the summer months enhance the appearance of the church-
he waters and weeds the planted areas. He that’s why we call it “The Church in a garden”.
also keeps both upper and lower cremation The gardens are a great benefit when
areas well presented as they are visited quite weddings are celebrated when they form a
regular by families. Floral arrangements beautiful backdrop for those photos of the
and flowers continue to be placed on the bride and groom. The gardens, of course
boarded areas. have other benefits as they form a tranquil
All the planted areas around the church place for the relatives of loved ones to sit
bloomed very well and there were quite a and reflect in the garden of remembrance.
lot of good comments on how good the Syd Ford (Warden)
churchyard is looking. Last September we
tackled the area by the Lychgate. Raising Earth Festival 2019
the bed area by 200 mm and filling with a ton The Earthfest 2019 was blessed with
of top soil, and planting it up. Planting is still great weather and great planning by
in progress in this area. Transition Town West Kirby. Building on the
We organised five working parties last year planning innovations of 2018 much of the
to perform light duties. One working party field infrastructure was up and ready the
was to fill 2 skips with all the cutting down that night before, protected by some overnight
had accumulated over the past years. This campers. This leads to reduced stress
amounted to 8 tons in total. We have a bad levels on Saturday morning which enhances
problem with Alexander’s Weed in the lower the whole experience of the day. Last year,
churchyard which has come from the Wirral St Bridget’s was represented on the field
Way and is spreading to the upper churchyard. with a booth focussing on Eco church and
There is still a problem with parents leaving Inclusive Church. We spent a very pleasant
their dogs unattended and tied to various day welcoming all-comers to sit down and
locations in the churchyard. Also dog poo is enjoy company and ideas, close to the main
still being left around the churchyard. music stage. It was nice to see lots of young
We still get enquiries regarding grave people happily sitting in the booth eating and
searches. Both from home and abroad. People chatting. The festival was supported very
are surprised to find that their ancestor’s generously by Wirral Council, and groups like
graves do not have headstones on them and Rotary who ran the kitchen to raise funds.
have enquired about placing new headstones Unfortunately, Earthfest can’t happen this
on the graves. We had two new headstones year, but we look forward to resuming normal
fitted last year. Also, several families have service in 2021.
been to tidy up their family graves removing Andrew Gibb
all weeds and laying ornamental stones in
the grave kerb area. In one case reletting the Caldy Open Gardens
names on the headstone. The event was not held in 2019 as the
Bill Smith organisers decided to hold it every other
5year and 2019 was an” Off” year. wall hanging/altar frontal used in church on
Because of the Coronavirus it was Earth Day in 2019 now takes pride of place in
cancelled for 2020 BUT it is now definitely on the Hall.
for 2021 on Sunday 23rd May. The sponsor St Bridget’s started more slowly but
in 2021 will be Premier Plants of Ledsham, gained its Bronze Award in early 2019 on
The chosen charity will be Koala North West the basis of existing good practice. Later
(previously known as Home Start Wirral). We in the year, a small group started to meet
at Caldy church will take pleasure in being with membership across the Parish. As I
involved providing refreshments in the write in April 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic
Church Hall. has brought things to a temporary halt. St
Syd Ford (Warden) Bridget’s is now ready to apply for a Silver
Award and will do so when it is possible to do
Eco Church - Caring for God’s Creation so. The ‘Caring for God’s Creation’ group will
For many years, the Parish has been aware be looking ahead for ways to instil awareness
of our need to care for God’s creation, of and action in everything that we do as
which we are all a part. Initially, we were fully individuals and as a Christian community.
registered as an Eco Congregation, and more One thing that the pandemic has certainly
recently have been active members of the highlighted is the adverse impact of human
Eco Church movement, spearheaded by A activity on the global environment, and
Rocha. hopefully lessons will be learned from this.
Emma Speake, then our curate, gathered Unfortunately, EarthFest 2020 has had
a team at Caldy Church, who achieved a to be cancelled, but hopefully we will be
Bronze Eco Church Award, and introduced able to play an even fuller part with renewed
many changes including Fairtrade tea and enthusiasm in 2021.
coffee, environmentally friendly cleaning John Smith
products and recycling plastic waste. The
At Work Abroad
Traidcraft shops have reduced, but on-line sales of
After the difficulties of last year, Traidcraft foods and household items have increased
nationally has made a gradual recovery. Sales to the point where they were unable to take
have continued to grow, and they have been on any new on-line customers for a time.
able to make some temporary UK staff I am grateful for Sue Harrison’s support in
permanent, and also take on additional staff. selling Traidcraft goods alongside her Ecover
Even more pleasingly they have been able products from home.
to extend their craft range and reconnect Many thanks to all of you for your continued
with some of their previous craft producers support for Fair Trade.
and reorder some goods. The lockdown has Margaret Smith
meant that sales through fair traders and
6Study and Fellowship in the Home
Bible Crew changing world in which they are growing
We are an offshoot of Storytellers. The up. Mary will sometimes assist me and Ann
secondary school-age children meet with and Ray Samuels also fill in if we are on holiday.
me once a month (unless holidays intervene) The youngsters can come up,
after the Storytelling service, and we discuss unexpectedly, with very challenging
a variety of Christian faith issues. The aim questions or ideas about their faith so we
is to give these youngsters the opportunity leaders have to think on our feet and be
to ask questions and discuss opinions about ready for anything, but exploring and sharing
the Bible, the Church, Christian morality and their thoughts and ideas, and our own, is a joy
ethics, etc.etc. – in fact, almost any aspect and a privilege.
of their faith and its relationship to the fast- Graham Crowder
Communications
Parish Magazine An electronic version has appeared on the
The Parish Magazine is an important means website since January 2017: past issues are
of communication, keeping parishioners up retained, so this forms a readily accessible
to date with what is going on, and providing archive. Barry Darby, our web master
other interesting articles. Each monthly organises this. Thanks to Jean, Jenny and
issue had a Rector’s letter and a Curate’s Barry and to all our distributors, and to
letter, written by David Chester. Paula Cobby, Priscilla for her assistance. Thanks are due to
the Parish Administrator, provides the Diary, Syd (again) for his work as magazine treasurer.
the record of baptisms, marriages and Trevor Bench-Capon
funerals, and a monthly list of Bible readings,
while Syd Ford writes a Caldy page. Thanks Link Newsletter 2019
to all of them for supplying this core material This year we published three editions
in good time every month. Other regular of the newsletter at Easter, Autumn and
items include reports the Mothers’ Union Christmas. These were delivered to nearly
meeting. One off items are also welcome, every letter box in the parish.
and add variety. Syd Ford now also manages We are very grateful to the many intrepid
the advertising, and has done an excellent “post persons” who have undertaken this -
job in finding new advertisers and collecting often in appalling weather.
outstanding payments. At end of 2019 we Any volunteers to help delivery are very
had six and a quarter pages of advertising, welcome. They would help to ease the load
which roughly covers the printing costs. on some foot sore team members! We
Issues normally have 20 pages. have tried to provide content which is read
Anne Waring continues to arrange for by a wide variety of residents. Many of those
the printing, now on the photocopier in the who receive the newsletter have no regular
Parish office. Many thanks to Anne: this contact with St. Bridget’s or Caldy Churches.
arrangement works well and produces a We have discovered unsuspected talents
good quality product. Jean Pilling organises among our contributors! We try to present
the distribution for St Bridget’s, and Jenny articles which engage with local history,
Cooper organises distribution for Caldy. history of the churches, the arts and
7sciences, social challenges and care for the The newsletters published in 2019 were
environment. Coming events are featured. sponsored by St. Bridget’s Educational
We are grateful to everyone who willingly Trust. We wish to thank the trustees for their
provided contributions. support.
Edward Edwards
Working with other Churches
Life Expectancy Wirral 2003 in response to the forced resignation
The Life Expectancy Project has had to of gay bishop elect Dr Jeffrey John, but
remain largely in abeyance again this past has since grown and widened its remit,
year. Contact with both Laird Street Baptist with mental health and disability important
Church and with St James Birkenhead additional concerns.
has been maintained. In 2019 and again in In August the Revd Mary Railton Crowder
2020, we have worked together to share convened a meeting which reviewed
the Easter story with schools both in West our inclusive practice and began some
Kirby and in Birkenhead. The schools have improvements, particularly in publicity
hugely appreciated this and continue their and communication, and Andrew Gibb
enthusiastic support. It is certainly intended promoted the Church’s inclusive philosophy
that the relationships established over at Earthfest in September.
the past seven years will continue, and any In October we celebrated Inclusive Church
opportunities for working together will be Sunday in both Churches; at St Bridget’s we
taken as they arise. John Smith held All Age worship on the theme What does
inclusion mean to you? Our café is registered
Iona as an unconditional Place of Welcome.
The major refurbishment work at Iona In the recruitment process for a new
Abbey was just days from completion when Rector, the PCC asked for a priest in
the Covid 19 crisis hit us all in March 2020. sympathy with the Inclusive Church
Two years of building work had followed movement, and the appointee assures us
several years of fundraising. A group is still that they fit this description.
hoping to go to Iona later in the summer of In April The Campaign for Equal Marriage
2020, but this may well not be possible. All in the Church of England was formally
being well again, a group visit in 2021 will launched to campaign to remove the current
almost certainly be organised. discrimination against married same-gender
John and Margaret Smith couples in the Church and to enable same-
gender couples to be married in their parish
Inclusive Church church. At present, clergy are forbidden
This Parish is proud to be registered same sex marriage, and by Act of Parliament
with Inclusive Church: we display the IC the Church cannot perform gay weddings,
Declaration and can be found at inclusive- although many clergy would like to.
church.org by people searching for a Church Opinion polls report that grass roots
which does not discriminate on any level, Anglicans increasingly support inclusive
on grounds of disability, economic power, principles, but our decision making processes
ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning are slow, and hampered by links with less
disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or progressive provinces abroad.
sexuality. Inclusive Church was founded in Priscilla Bench-Capon
8St. Bridget’s Centre
2019 has been another satisfying year We retained our team of Andrea Sawiak
for our Centre which is now 8 years old: we and Alfonso Vilela with Celia Gentles
remain as busy as ever but we are having to covering children’s parties, holidays and
give the building an increasing level of “TLC”. sickness. They have worked hard to keep
We now have 28 separate bookings things looking good aided by our hirers and
for a typical week (last year was 25) from Church users who generally hand back rooms
Church, Museum and community users in a good state. And of course we thank Paula
plus a whole range of occasional bookings Cobby who coordinates the bookings and
(like bread making, scouts, annual meetings Rosie Heenan who keeps a close eye on our
of societies, various quizzes and Museum finances!
lectures) and the monthly West Kirby WI We can again look back to the year with
meeting. We continue to gain fitness classes satisfaction on achieving our core objectives
(pilates and yoga) filling in gaps in the diary: – covering costs, increasing use, maintaining
there are fewer and fewer gaps each year! standards and setting aside funds for
We welcome the one-off bookings for the necessary improvements and renewals.
variety they bring to the Centre – family Martin Harrison
parties, christenings, family parties and of
course a very special Bleazard wedding! Parish Office
Major events included the usual St Bridget’s Paula Cobby works in the Parish Office.
Summer Fair, Wirral Heritage Open Day, Her job description says the following:
Earthfest and West Kirby Remembers. The Parish Administrator’s job is to provide
The centre has continued to be an admin support for the church and clergy,
important part of the West Kirby community help with the smooth running of St Bridget’s
and Church life – with the fund-raisers for the Centre, take bookings, keep the diaries up to
Church Enhancement project, the Link Café, date and to be a point of contact for people
Sunday refreshments, storytelling services, enquiring about any of the ministries and
PCC and St Bridget’s Committee meetings, activities of the parish.
regular Church group bookings, Knit and However, there are additional things to be
Natter mornings, Men’s Luncheons and yet aware of:
another wonderful Christmas Lunch!! Our • A Bollywood music band can’t practise
thanks to all those who work to make these in the Beacon Room while the museum is
things happen. open to the public.
We seek to maintain and raise standards • There may be 6, 7 or 8 people singing in a
and strive to keep the Centre looking good choir for a wedding: wait until the wedding
despite reaching its 8th Birthday! This is over before seeing how many need to be
year we have replaced some lights with paid.
more efficient LED lights, commenced a • The Pilates class will finish on time so
programme of redecorating, done some please don’t arrive early for the PCC
external re-pointing of the older walls and meeting booked in the room immediately
undertaken roofing repairs to combat our afterwards.
leakage problems. Happily the work done • The toilets are flushing brown water but this
by our new engineers, Ford Heating, has is just because of the rainwater harvesting
improved the reliability of the heating system, so don’t be alarmed.
system. • The Flower Guild can do an extra pedestal
9arrangement for a wedding but aren’t • There’s a burial of ashes next week and no
prepared to tie ribbon and gypsophila on one has contacted the sexton to arrange
every pew end. for the hole to be dug.
• Check that the hymn numbers correspond • The piano in the Hilbre Room sounds better
to the hymns chosen by the preacher - when played with the lid open.
sometimes they don’t and it confuses the • A children’s dressing up costume should be
organist. in Lost Property, not with the tea towels.
• Remind the Rector not to have the very The Parish Office is usually open Monday
quiet, meditative service of Compline in to Friday mornings, 9am to 12 noon. Tel. 0151
church on a Tuesday evening – it’s bell 625 2739, email office@stbridgetschurch.
ringing practice night. org.uk
Paula Cobby
Ministry to Schools
Schools’ work playing and the children’s singing conducted
John Bleazard suggested that, in view of his by Miss Smith are sheer worship. Attention
departure, the report for St Bridget’s school has also been given to encourage the
should be written by one of the Foundation children in reading bible passages during the
Governors appointed by the PCC. services.
There are four Foundation Governors: the The school have joined the church
Rector, myself, Anne Waring and Frank Price. community for Mother’s Day, Christingle
Not only have we said farewell to Father service and Education Sunday when at the
John (as the children call him) but also Frank end of the service everyone congregates in
who retired from the board after 12 years’ the School playground for a blessing on the
service. His ability in a single sentence to school.
bring his knowledge and experience to solve Several Children from Year 4 were again
many a board dilemma is sadly missed. Frank invited to take their first communion.
has been replaced by Imogen Longmore a Easter Experience - as I report below - was
regular worshipper at the church with her renamed Lent Event but was again equally
family. Imogen had been a parent Governor enjoyed by the school and church helpers.
at the school. Children from Year 4 continue to help at
As Foundation Governors we have the Wednesday Coffee in the church hall. (They
same responsibilities as the other governors love their aprons.) Several of their parents
in strategic planning and guiding the school have come to coffee to see them.
but with the added responsibility of making The school is working towards being a
sure that the Christian element of the School of Sanctuary a church member,
school is upheld. Anna, was able to introduce us to the right
The children have continued to have contacts.
regular assemblies run by John and Graham School art work is displayed in the church
Crowder and to have regular church services porch and the church hall.
in church for the Christian festivals. These The Foundation Governors together form
services are organised by each year group part of the Ethos committee which feeds
in turn and are attended by those children’s back into Full Governors meeting.
parents. The children are taught that these Perhaps the biggest thing we have had to
services are not a performance, the drum do was to look at our school vision, values
10and mission statement along with the whole • To work with all members of the school
school curriculum in view of changes from community to provide challenging learning
SIAMs and Ofsted. targets appropriate to each individual child.
SIAMs want a more bible based approach • To develop the children with a broad and
with bible references and Ofsted want balanced curriculum in order to create a
schools to develop a curriculum around the firm foundation for c
school vision. • To encourage all children to adopt and
After much brainstorming with staff and maintain safe and healthy lifestyles.
Governors the school mission statement • To foster in children the qualities of self-
of ‘Love thy neighbour’ was adopted. The belief, care and consideration for others,
story of the Good Samaritan seeming a good and to encourage high expectations in all
story suitable for all the age groups. The new areas of school life, in order to equip them
school vision aimed and curriculum has then to be good citizens for the future.
been develop from this parable. Sue Darby
School Vision Statement Lent Event 2019
Inspiring, nurturing and educating our Easter dates and school holiday timing
children to serve God by reaching their full meant holding the outreach to schools a
potential, serving our local community and little earlier in the year than usual; hence the
by looking after our environment as global sub-title ‘Lent Event’.
citizens of today and tomorrow. We began with Creation seeing that God
School Mission Statement had created a perfect world for mankind but
‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Luke that bad things had crept in on the back of
10:27 ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ 1 Corinthians sin. However, God had a rescue plan for He so
13:13 loved the world that he sent Jesus to show
School Values to Support Learning and the way. So, we looked at things Jesus said
Behaviour and did while he lived among us in human
Truthfulness, Creativity, Compassion, form. Jesus met Zacchaeus and saw the
Friendship, Teamwork, Respect, good in Zacchaeus’ heart when others hated
Perseverance and Responsibility him. Using Revels sweets, we illustrated that
School Aims although people could look similar on the
To provide a school that supports outside, the inside can be quite surprising.
children’s development through its Christian Jesus had compassion on the sick and
foundation. disabled and we saw that Blind Bartimaeus
• To create an environment in which was cured because of his persistent faith
each child’s potential can be realised, in who Jesus really was and what Jesus
academically, socially, creatively, physically could do. We hid sheep and children had to
and spiritually. search to recover them; just as Jesus the
• To organise a safe and happy school where good shepherd cared for his ‘sheep’ and
everyone is valued and respected and was prepared to go to the cross for them.
their individual qualities and creativity are Finally, we talked about Palm Sunday, the
recognised and celebrated. Last Supper and Jesus’ Crucifixion and
• To build a team of experienced committed Resurrection. We called this station ‘Victory’
and caring staff with a broad range of pointing back to Creation where things
expertise and meeting the needs of the started to go wrong and the fulfilment of
children. God’s promises at Easter. Also, during this
11station children used green paper cut-out Altogether around one thousand children
hands to decorate a cross as a reminder both were able to join in. Churches involved were
of palm branches and of their own part in the St Bridget’s and Caldy, Laird Street Baptist,
story. St James’ and Christ the King; some 40
Schools engaged this year were Avalon volunteers worked in shifts to talk to the
and St Bridget’s in West Kirby and the Priory children. A huge thank you to all involved.
and Co-op Academy Schools in Birkenhead. Sue Darby
Music & More
St Bridget’s Music Group process. The non ringer will not notice any
What do you get if you mix 12 adults, 7 discrepancy but the discerning ringer most
children and Zorro the Guide dog with a certainly does. All our visitors will vouch for
piano, a violin, 2 guitars, a bass, a mandolin, this.
a trumpet, a saxophone, a clarinet, 2 Our band of 15 ringers are an excellent
flutes, Djembe, Cajon and Bodhran drums, team, we regularly have all our 8 bells ringing
a selection of descant, treble, tenor and and quality ringing each Sunday morning and
sopranino recorders, some soprano, alto, also for some evening services. We will again
tenor and bass voices and any amount of when these isolation restrictions are lifted.
ukuleles you can think of? The answer? Unfortunately we are unlikely to see Eric
You get St Bridget’s Music Group! We are an ringing again and Tor has found that ringing
informal all-age ensemble bound together will not fit into a busy teenage life. Dorothea
by a love of music-making and a shared is returning to Germany, we will miss her and
enthusiasm for exploring traditional and her delicious cakes. We do have a new ringer,
contemporary music from church traditions George, a young local lad who has excellent
across the world. You also get rather potential to become a first class ringer. With
squashed as there isn’t really room for us in two other local people expressing an interest
the church! in ringing It looks like we will carry on going
Although some of us occasionally from strength to strength.
‘moonlight’ at local events as ‘Bridget’s Tuesday would normally be our practice
Happiness Band’, our primary role is to play night, our ringers can ring all the popular
for All Together Worship and other special methods, plus some of the more obscure
services. Despite the lack of space we methods. Peter H & Peter W are ringing Plain
always seem to manage to find room for Bob, Jim D is learning Grandsire.
more singers and instrumentalists. We are Brian L & Bethan H enjoy ringing Surprise
an open and inclusive group: all ages and all Methods. Janet our secretary keeps us
abilities are very welcome. If you think you updated with any correspondence and
might like to join us please speak to either Greg B is our Church Warden, he can keep
Andrew, Graham or myself. us informed of any church news. Robert P,
Mary Railton-Crowder David KH, Paul I and Tim S are ringing and
conducting both plain and surprise methods.
St Bridget’s Ringing and Ringers All the ringers are a great asset to our
Tim and Greg keep the bells and fittings tower and the Wirral Branch. We do realise
in good order but the work on fixing the how lucky we are receiving all the help,
odd struckness is proving to be a slow assistance and encouragement from the
12clergy and congregation. We are all going to Unfortunately, it was not possible for
miss our friend and colleague the retiring the annual Patronal Festival Service which
Rector, John B. involves the St Bridget’s singers to be held in
Randle Tinkler January, as has been the custom.
Sue Shaw
St Bridget’s Handbell Ringers
Conducted by Janet Belton, the eight St Bridget’s Flower Guild
members of the Handbell Ringers welcomed We held our AGM at the Rectory in
a new member this year, David Jones. We February when we discussed the coming
meet weekly in St Bridget’s Centre. The year. Little did we know at the time that
group has more than 120 pieces in its the re-wiring of the church would effect us.
repertoire both classical and popular, many When the re-wiring commenced and the
appropriate not only to the various seasons , church was closed during the week it was
but also areas of the British Isles, the Cunard felt that logistically it was better not to have
175th anniversary and war-time favourites. flowers in church. We did, however, manage
During the year, the Ringers have played to decorate the church for harvest festival
at several care homes around Wirral, the and Christmas.
residents seem to enjoy the older pieces The finances of the Guild are in pretty
and many joined in, singing the lyrics with good shape due in no small part to not having
great enthusiasm . The proceeds of these flowers in church for some months and the
recitals go to the St Bridget’s Appeal. In April fact we are using artificial flowers when
2019, Port Sunlight ringers hosted a “Get appropriate.
Together” which enabled St Bridget’s to Again I thank Barbara Christian for her
play with the ringers from Port Sunlight, and support and Paula Cobby as Treasurer for all
other groups and exchange music and ideas. her hard work and the fact she is always ready
Sadly the 2020 “Get Together” arranged for to go the extra mile. New members to the
April had to be cancelled because of the Guild are always welcome - arranging flowers
Coronavirus lockdown. We were particularly can be very therapeutic!
disappointed as we hoped to welcome Sara Jen Chester
Loach and her group from Christ Church
Higher Bebington. Knit & Natter Fellowship Group
We are not meeting at present but as we We enjoyed another year of fellowship
all enjoy working together and making music together on a Wednesday morning. We
we hope to resume rehearsals in September are continuing to knit for charities; hats
but during the Lockdown we chat on Zoom for sailors, twiddle-muffs, premature baby
each week to keep in touch. clothes and blankets for residents in local
Sue Shaw homes. We also knit for one’s family and
friends. The crib sets have been well used
St Bridget’s Church Music 2019 and in need of repair. We thought it best to
Our regular choir (6) have been enthusiastic knit a new set so that they can be ready for
in singing anthems during communion. when our new rector arrives.
Hymns/songs have been enjoyed by large It is not necessary to knit to come to our
congregations at the annual Christingle Wednesday morning group. Many come
Service and Crib Service,and an augmented along just to enjoy the fellowship and natter
choir sung at the Festival of 9 Lessons and over a cup of coffee. You are all welcome.
Carols in December Peggy Dodd
13The editor would like to thank all the contributors who so readily provided
reports.
Up to date information on the life of the Parish can be obtained
from the Parish Office 625 2739/ office@stbridgetschurch.org.uk
www.stbridgetschurch.org.uk
www.caldychurch.org.uk
www.westkirbymuseum.co.uk
Church Newsletter (weekly)
Parish Magazine (monthly)You can also read
