The Log

The Parish Magazine November2020

£1.00 www.stlawrencewithstpaul.org.uk

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The Log Three

VICAR’S NOTES

Thanksgiving for the Harvest All the effort to host this year’s Harvest Festival really paid off and It was wonderful

to see St Lawrence’s Church once again looking so beautifully decorated. Our theme

of ‘Seeds of Hope’ seemed to strike a chord and cheer the hearts of all who were

able to take part in the services, either in person or watching online. Our first

Harvest Treasure hunt also proved a remarkable success thanks to the

organisational skills of Karen Boardman and the sunny Autumn day which made it

easy for lots of families to get involved. Thank you to everyone who helped to make

the day so special and you can see some picture highlights on page 22.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) The delayed APCM was held on Monday 12th October and the associated reports are contained in this edition of the

Log. Here though I’d like to express my sincere thanks to a number of people for their generous service to St Lawrence

with St Paul. Chris Page has ably served as the Churchwarden over the last 18 months and a number of important

projects have been completed under his tenure. I’m pleased to say Chris will continue as a PCC member and it’s good

to have this continuity. Mae Heys has served two years in her role as Deputy Churchwarden and has contributed to the

smooth running of our church in more ways than I can count. Lauren Cowell is also stepping down from her role on the

PCC after six years in office and has been an important voice for our Youth.

Dot Little is also stepping down from 13 years’ service as PCC Secretary which is a phenomenal achievement, but I’m

delighted to say the good reason for this is because she has been elected to the position of Churchwarden. Dot is

joined by Ali Ng as our second Churchwarden and Ali comes with lots of experience

of being on PCCs elsewhere and also in our own parish.

Other notable changes include Barbara McCormick being elected as the new PCC

Secretary so I’m confident we’ll remain well organised into the future and in

addition to his role as Treasurer Graham Kelsall joins Dorothy Laver as Deputy

Churchwarden. New members voted onto PCC this time include Barbara Burton,

Michael Dawson and Keith Thompson and I’m hugely grateful to them and to our

continuing PCC members who do an amazing job helping our church fulfil its vision

of Following Jesus in Loving Community.

Finally, we continue to be well represented at a Deanery Synod level by Muriel Anderson, Karen Boardman and

Gwyneth Jones who were re-elected into these roles.

It is no small undertaking running a church and without our PCC members and countless other individuals who

volunteer, sometimes up front but often unseen, we would not be able to deliver the range of ministries we can. Let us

pray and be grateful for everyone who supports the work of St Lawrence with St Paul.

All Souls Services. Because of the Covid seating restrictions this year we’ve decided to hold two All Souls Services. The first will be on

Sunday 1st November at 6.30pm and the second will be on Monday 2nd

November at 7.00pm which we’ll also be livestreaming on our usual

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LongridgeCofE

In normal times there would be an opportunity to come forward and light a

candle in memory of those whose memory we treasure but this year we’ll

have to light a candle on your behalf as the names of our loved ones are

read out and honoured. As this edition of the Log is coming out very close to

the date of the services please contact Dot Little immediately

(dotlittle003@gmail.com) or on 01772 783998 if you would like someone’s

name included or if you would like to attend one of the services.

This year especially we recognise that the pain of losing a loved one has been made harder by limited contact with

family and friends and our hope is that our All Souls Services can help bring a measure of comfort and peace.

The Log Four

Remembrance Events Unfortunately, regulations in force in relation to Covid 19 mean there will be

no Remembrance Sunday Parade in Longridge this year. A limited service for

invited guest will be held at the war memorial on Remembrance Sunday but

there are other ways the community can get involved and these can be found

on page 6.

We will continue to honour all those who have given their lives in the line of

duty with an act of remembrance during our 9.30am, 11.15am and 6.30pm

services on Sunday 8th November.

Advent Devotional Resource This year the first Sunday of Advent falls on 29th November and while many of us are unable to meet in church as we’d

like to. One thing we can do together is take advantage of a devotional resource Blackburn Diocese has produced

called, ‘A child shall lead them’. I’ve already ordered 100 hard

copies to share with you so please let me know if you’d like a

copy.

Advent and Christmas Fundraiser You’ll be well aware that normally we would be holding our

Christmas Tree Fair at the start of Advent which along with

being a whole lot of fun is an important fundraiser for our

church. Although the fair cannot take place this year, we are

still hoping you might be willing to support St Lawrence with St Paul with our Santa Totaliser initiative. Please see page

24 for more details.

Advent and Christmas Programme Our programme of services for the Advent and Christmas period is still being

finalised but even with the constraints we still hope to be able to offer adapted

versions of our popular nine Lessons and Carols and Crib services. In line with

the Church of England’s ‘Comfort and Joy’ theme for this year our intention is to

offer these services multiple times to allow as many people as possible to

worship with us over this season when we especially need to remember the

Vicar’s Notes………..continued

BARNARDO’S A huge and special thank you to all families, including residents of Park House for the

amazing response to this year’s Barnardo’s collection. After the difficult year

everyone has had we have raised the record amount of £2,020 in this our 70th

Anniversary since the box group was formed at Sunday School. This year there are

three awards 2 – 10 years and 1 – 20 years. The money raised will stay in the North West and as one of the UK’s

leading children’s charities, Barnardo’s does not shy away from difficult situations, seeking to change the lives of the

most vulnerable.

I know Barnardo’s are very grateful and appreciate the monetary and long standing association they have with this

Parish – to date, £41,566, having been raised.

A personal thank you to each and everyone of the 64 box holders and those who give by donation. It means a lot to

me and without you all it would not happen. To those who responded to my request to bring your boxes and

donations to my home or Wellbrow Drive it was a great help. Finally a sincere thank you to Rhona White who

collected the boxes or donations from parishioners own homes and to Sheila Roberts who returned the boxes. I am

indebted to them both for the wonderful way they have helped me. Marjorie Procter.

The Log Team Editorial Dot Little dotlittle003@gmail.com 01772 783998 Gillian Whalley gillian.whalley@icloud.com 01772 783262 Advertising Val Wardley wardleyval13@gmail.com 01772 387862 Distribution Judith Kaye judithkaye@sky.com 01772 785114 Production Lawrence Ingham lawrenceingham@yahoo.com 07503 210 206 Gill Mack gillmack@btinternet.com 01772 783983 Michael Dawson michael_dawson@talktalk.net 01772 652370

The Log Five

An Introduction from Simon and Tracy King Simon will join us as Curate in Summer 2021

I feel that I should remember something of the earliest days in a back-to-back on Brookfield Street in Preston, before the council cleared the site and we were moved to the flats in Avenham, but I cannot. Nurse mother, clerk father and, by then four small children on the fifth floor of a tower block. They were my earliest memories, exploring the adventure that was the deck access flats, under construction on Queen Street, the underground car parks and what seemed the vast expanse of Avenham Park. Me, my brothers and a small band of other similarly displaced ragamuffins, traipsing in and out of each other’s houses, calling each other’s Mum’s Aunty, some, even to this day.

Roman Catholics, my Grandfather had coached the youth football teams at St. Walburge’s for years, Mass every morning – devout and stern. Where is God? The catechism asked, and by the time we started infant school, we could all answer “everywhere”. If we hadn’t been to church on Sunday, the class teacher knew and dutifully punished us on a Monday. That was the Preston we grew up in. Cobbled, monochrome and sectarian. From St Augustine’s to English Martyr’s to St Francis, Hill Chapel, Goosnargh, the family moved as my mother’s jobs changed, progressive for those times.

The Jesuits had me by the time I went to Secondary School, Catholic College, the same as my uncle, father and older brother. Give me the boy they say, but something went awry, by the time I had finished with school, I had finished with religion, and my faith was discarded with the un-needed old school tie. I can do this on my own I thought. No interference and my plan kind of worked for a while. You can let go of God’s hand, but God will never let go of yours.

Fast forward – married to my beautiful, patient and smart wife Tracy, with two growing children and a still small but growing voice that whispered about something missing – it had to become a shout before I reached the end of me. Stopped, turned and listened. At roughly the same time Tracy had started to attend a soup lunch organised and run, once a week, by the local Anglican church. Here she had begun to ask the vicar questions about God and with her encouragement, we both ended up at St. Stephen’s Church on Broadgate.

I like people who tell dramatic tales of conversion, the excitement and the drama. For the record, for me there was no angels, no voice from the sky, no blinding light. Nothing physically changed, except I knew I was coming home, albeit to an evangelical church. The sermon went on for days and the incumbent apologised for what little liturgy there was. It didn’t make rational sense then, it still doesn’t now. I knew things had changed forever. I thought then that was the end of the journey, I now know that it was the start of a much longer journey. Often meandering, sometimes two steps forward and three steps back. I am most grateful for those people who have shared that pilgrimage with me in the past, and those who continue to walk alongside me. Their patience, love and support. Of course, it’s a journey that I am still on. Getting things wrong, making mistakes, still learning, still trying to follow Jesus as he continues to ask difficult questions.

That journey continues with you in Longridge and I am very much looking forward to getting to know you, Reverend Mike and the Parish. It is both hugely exciting and very daunting. Please do remember us in your prayers in the coming months, as the college workload increases, the ground beneath our feet loosens and we prepare ourselves for where God is leading us next. Blessings and thank you Simon and Tracy

The Log Six

Longridge Town Council Community Link

Longridge Remembers

On behalf of Longridge Town Council, I would like to inform you of how you can

remember the fallen at this year’s Remembrance Sunday.

Due to the Covid19 Restrictions from the Government and advice from Longridge

Police, there will not be a Remembrance Sunday parade this year, but a Service of

Remembrance will be held at the War Memorial for invited guests only.

The Mayor of Longridge alongside the Deputy Mayor of Ribble Valley Borough Council will lay wreaths at the War

Memorial on behalf of the Town and the Borough.

Our priority as Longridge Town Council, is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our community alongside

providing a respectful way in which the community can remember in these unpredictable and difficult times and the

community are requested not to attend the War Memorial area under any circumstances

before 1pm on 8th November 2020.

How can the community get involved:

• If you wish to lay a wreath as part of a community group or individual, we would ask that this is done after 1pm in line with social distancing guidelines. No more than six people to gather at the war memorial at any one time. If there are people already at the war memorial when you arrive, we ask that you wait safely at a distance until they have finished their act of remembrance.*

• You may access a live streaming of the event on the Your Longridge group on Facebook and within the comments may add your thoughts etc. You may wish to show how you are remembering the fallen by using the hashtag #LongridgeRemembers on social media.

• We invite the community to join together on the doorstop at 11am for collective remembrance. This is similar to

the NHS, VE 75 Day and VJ Day events from earlier in the year.

We thank you all for your understanding at this time and hope that you can join us digitally for a peaceful and

thoughtful Remembrancetide.

Town Clerk

Longridge Town Council

*Any wreaths placed prior to 1pm other than those officially from Longridge Town Council and RVBC will be removed to

ensure a Covid Secure environment.

The guidance is correct on 15/10/2020 and is subject to any forthcoming changes in the Government guidelines and

restrictions.

Pat Hewitt reminded us that National Poetry Day was on the 1st October with a theme this year of Vision. Do take time to read Brian Bilston’s poem and then importantly read it again from bottom to top

(now read from bottom to top)

Refugees by Brian Bilston

They have no need of our help So do not tell me These haggard faces could belong to you or me Should life have dealt a different hand We need to see them for who they really are Chancers and scroungers Layabouts and loungers With bombs up their sleeves Cut-throats and thieves They are not Welcome here

We should make them Go back to where they came from They cannot Share our food Share our homes Share our countries Instead let us Build a wall to keep them out It is not okay to say These are people just like us A place should only belong to those who are born there Do not be so stupid to think that The world can be looked at another way

Clergy & Church Officers

Vicar Rev. Mike Barton The Vicarage, Church Street 01772 783281 revmikebarton@gmail.com

Retired Clergy: Rev. John Ball 07754 771220 Rev. Gill Mack 7 Bowland Close 01772 783983 gillmack@btinternet.com Rev. Canon Stuart Broughton 27 Burey Court 01772 785760 stuartrbroughtonsouthport@gmail.com Readers Kathleen Sturzaker 57 Hacking Drive 01772 785934 kathleensturzaker@gmail.com

Muriel Anderson 20 Plessington Court 01772 785188 murielanderson33@gmail.com

Gerald Mack 7 Bowland Close 01772 783983 gfmack@talktalk.net Churchwarden Dot Little 26 Hoghton Road 01772 783998 dotlittle003@gmail.com

Alethea (Ali) Ng 7 Mosses Farm Road 07572 094971 ali.ng@btinternet.com

Deputy Wardens Graham Kelsall graham@oaktreehouse.net

Dorothy Laver 19 The Pastures, Grimsargh 07719 389529 dorothy.laver@gmail.com PCC Secretary Barbara McCormick 8 Lngdale Road 01772 782619 barbara@her-email.co.uk

PCC Treasurer Graham Kelsall graham@oaktreehouse.net

Safeguarding Officer Janet Redding

Church Administrator Sam Reynolds 01772 783281 secretarystlandplongridge@gmail.com

Altar Flowers Hon. Sec. St. Lawrence Marjorie Procter 5 Regent Street 01772 784119 Hon. Sec. St. Paul Vacant Please contact churchwarden Church Administrator Sam Reynolds Parish Office Wed & Thursday 9am to 12 noon Fri 9am—3pm 01772 783281 Choir Director of Music Rebekah Okpoti 07516 224 815 rebekahokpoti@gmail.com Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade Wednesday Nights Berry Lane School Term Times Martins 6 pm, Young Members 6.30 pm JTC/Seniors 7.00 pm Commanding Officer Janet Redding 3 Chapel Street janetredding@clcgb.org.uk Craft Group Last Monday each month, Centenary Room 1.30 - 3.30pm also: Contacts Helen Bailey 01772 783178 Ruth Ball 01772 783172 Julie Kirkham 01772 446275

Handbell Ringers Leader Judith Kaye Park View, Fleet Street, PR3 3ED judithkaye@sky.com 01772 785114 Children’s Church Carolyn Barton carolynbarton@hotmail.co.uk Mothers Union 7.30pm on 1st Tuesday Enrolling Member Judith Kaye Park View, Fleet Street, PR3 3ED judithkaye@sky.com 01772 785114 Servers Leader George Green 07935 080 443 georgebradegreen@gmail.com Tuesday Club 7.30pm on 2nd Tuesday Chairman Fred Little 26 Hoghton Road 01772 783998 Hon. Sec. Adrienne Atkinson 01772 783091 adbil1959@gmail.com Walkie Talkies Hannah Green 20 Darwen Close 01772 783558

Organisations

Parochial Church Council Chairman Rev. Mike Barton Hon. Secretary Barbara McCormick Hon. Treasurer & Stewardship Recorder Graham Kelsall Members: Clergy and Churchwardens, Muriel Anderson, Karen Boardman, Karen Burdett, Barbara Burton, Michael Dawson, David Hartley, Gwyneth Jones, Vernon Kinrade, Dorothy Laver, Rosemary Lyons, Barbara McCormick, Lisa Monks, Chris Page, Annamarie Rogers-Waterman, Wendy Smyth, Kathleen Sturzaker, Keith Thompson, Peter Turver, Val Wardley.

Longridge C of E Primary School www.longridge-ce.lancsngfl.ac.uk

Headteacher Mrs Catherine Parkin head@longridge-cofe.lancs.sch.uk Clerk to the Governors Val Morris 01524 581136 c/o the School Office

School Office 01772 782378 bursar@longridge-cofe.lancs.sch.uk Pre-School 01772-780078 PTFA Hon. Sec. Katie Keighley

The Log Church Directory Seven

Sidesmen and Sideswomen

Yvonne Ball, Hilda Marle Collis, Ian Cookson, Helen Eccles, Tom Haworth, Janet Heap,

Lawrence Ingham, Merilyn Kinrade, Theresa Page, Ray Saunders, Judith Singleton, Alistair Silcock, Jennifer Sturzaker, Keith Thompson, Lib Turver,

Peter Turver.

Duty Wardens

Vernon Kinrade, Dorothy Laver, Gwyneth Jones, Graham Kelsall, Chris Page, Kathleen Sturzaker,

Val Wardley.

The Log Directory Eight

Quilter’s Quarters

Patchwork and Quilting Shop Wide range of fabrics, threads

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Large range of Plants, Compost, Garden Tools, Outdoor Pots.

Swifts Hardware, Cookware & Garden Centre

Calor gas stockists Giftware

Sophie Allport Toasted Crumpet, Walton Lifestyle, Ashleigh

Parlane, and Burwood. 01772 784250

BRIAN BUXTON Building Contractor

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35 Little Lane, Longridge, Preston Tel. 01772 378119

WALTER CAREFOOT & SONS LTD.

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DEWHURST HOMES

Estate & Letting Agents

01772 783993 www.dewhursthomes.co.uk

Martin’s The Funeral Directors

Late availability specialist 54 Derby Road, Longridge

01772 786777 Brand New web Site

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Travel Circle

RAYMOND JAMES

Wayne Hayhurst MCSI Chartered Wealth Manager & Principal

8 Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JA

Tel: 01772 780 300 Email:

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MICROPUB

Tap & Vent Tap & T’ales 01772 875 781 07966 500 158 4 Towneley Parade, Longridge PR3 3HU

E: tapandvent@xln.co.uk tap&vent

Holiday Cottage Near Penrith & Ullswater

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Hair & Makeup Lounge

67 Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3NH 01772 784 881

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ABODE Pre-Loved Furnishings

Refurbished well made furniture Accessories, interior fabrics &

curtains Warwick Street, Longridge, PR3 3EB

07903 592 615

Gas Central Heating. Gas safety checks/Landlords. Boiler and fire servicing/repair.

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The Log Nine

GETTING TO KNOW YOU – Barbara Burton

I grew up in Penwortham, and moved to Longridge in 1992 when I married Paul. At that time, I was training to be a

teacher at St. Martin’s College in Lancaster. I qualified in 1994 and after a term working at Baines Endowed Primary

School in Thornton, I got a full-time, permanent job at St. Leonard’s Church of England Primary School in Langho. I

have worked there ever since, beginning in Reception class and then teaching Years 3 and 4 for many years. Since

September, I have been teaching Year 5. It is a lovely place to

work and I feel blessed to have worked with some fantastic

colleagues and taught some amazing children.

When I first moved to Longridge, I was very much a “lapsed C

of E” person, having gradually lost my faith during my teenage

years and early twenties. However, with the encouragement

and support of my mother-in-law Irene and the vicar, Richard

Awre, I began attending church again. For a few years, I was a

helper at “Sunday Live” the 1990s equivalent of Children’s

Church. I was a member of the PCC for a few years and I was

also asked to represent our church on the Churches Together

in Longridge committee and it has been a pleasure to get to

know members of the different denominations of the church

in our local area as well as being involved in their many fund-

raising and social activities and shared worship.

Like many people I suppose, I hit a dry patch in my faith

journey and although I continued to attend church and say my

prayers, my faith wasn’t really moving forward. However,

when I came to church one Sunday morning, I heard about

the Alpha course and decided to give it a go. The first meeting

was in St. Paul’s centenary room and after that, we met at

Ali’s house. It was really interesting, I met some lovely people and it made a huge difference to my faith. After the

course finished, some of us decided to continue meeting at Ali and Kai’s house as a Home church. Unfortunately, in

March, that all had to stop, but Reverend Mike phoned me one day during lockdown to ask if I’d like to join in with The

Bible Course via Zoom, which I did and again, I learned a lot, met some interesting people and it definitely made me

read my Bible more. I am currently involved with The Prayer Course, again via Zoom and as with the other two courses,

it has moved me closer to God and deepened my commitment to our church.

In my free time, I am a keen gardener at home and at our allotment on Windsor Avenue. This year we have had

bumper harvests of leeks, shallots, spinach, salad leaves and all sorts of fruit. Harvest Festival feels very special when

you have been personally involved in the thrill of a huge harvest and the disappointment of the failed ones.

It is wonderful to live in this beautiful place and to attend a thriving church; like most people, I have appreciated that

more than ever in this strange year.

FOODBANK.

The Ribble Valley Foodbank would like to thank members of St Lawrence with St Paul’s Church for their continued support. For anyone needing help: please contact 07849 534431 and leave a message. Someone will return your call and a food parcel will be delivered to you.

Anne Fisher.

The Log Ten

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small … the Lord God made them all - Malcolm Welch

Last year, we reported about a survey carried out in St Lawrence’s churchyard recording the wildflowers, trees, birds and animals that had been observed during the summer. During spring this year a further 3 wildflowers were found including the tiny Thyme-leaved Speedwell and Lady’s Smock along with a colony of beautiful Bank Voles.

Following the survey some ideas were drawn up for improving the value of the churchyard for nature and work has quietly been ongoing through the winter, spring and summer. Last November eight nest boxes were put up on trees around the church along with a bat roosting box on one of the trees adjacent to Lower Lane. On the big oak tree at the foot of the churchyard a larger specially designed box has been placed in the hope of enticing the local tawny owl to nest with us. Thanks must go to Brigade whose members produced a number of the boxes. This spring it was pleasing to observe that at least 5 of the nest boxes were busy with either blue tits or house sparrows apparently building nests. During this November the boxes will be checked, cleaned out and the number of actual nests and locations recorded. A second part of the work has been planting a hedge

around the perimeter of the land acquired some years ago as a future extension of the graveyard. Many people will be unaware of this area which is behind the tall hawthorn hedge at the bottom of the current graveyard. Originally part of the farmer’s field it is just a piece of grassland surrounded by a wooden fence. During the wet weather in last January around 25 mtrs of hawthorn and blackthorn hedging was planted. It is hoped to plant the remaining 25 mtrs this November. This is a long term project and it will be a few years before a recognisable hedge is visible. The final part of the work is intended to increase the number of wildflowers in the unmown areas for the churchyard. Presently the two main areas concerned are the triangle of rough grass at the bottom of the graveyard adjacent to the track around the reservoirs and the strip of grass that borders the wooden fence (and new hedge) in the graveyard extension. Early in the year several small areas were dug over and sown with seed. Unfortunately the dry spring weather and the difficulty in carrying water from the only available tap led to a failure of many plants. One notable success however

was the Teasels. These appear to have thrived and several tall spikey heads are clearly visible above the long grass. In coming years their seed heads should provide welcome food for birds such as Goldfinch. Hidden in this corner among the long grass a small wet patch forming puddles in wet weather has been created, this will be appreciated by the numerous frogs and toads that have been observed. Behind this three Buddleia bushes have been planted to eventually attract butterflies feeding on the nectar in their flowers. As I write digging is going on ‘apace’ in preparation for sewing a 50 mtr strip of wildflowers along the new hedging and at the bottom corner of the current graveyard near the Teasels. Hopefully the sowing will be completed by the end of October. The final piece of work will be sewing small patches of hedgerow wildflower seeds (flowers that will thrive in the shady areas) within the long grass bordering the tall hawthorn hedge. A few wildflowers already grow there and hopefully we can increase the number and variety of these. With few parishioners/members of the public visiting the lower end of the church grounds it has been possible to carry out the work quite safely despite all the Corvid 19 restrictions.

The Log Eleven

With beautiful countryside within walking distance of Longridge some people may ask why bother with this or, are there not more important things to spend the parish’s time and money on? Firstly the sceptics can be reassured that all the work has been done by volunteers and the limited funding required for hedging and seed has come from ’non parish’ sources. Why do it? a) Hopefully relatives visiting the graveyard and the many people who just come for quiet contemplation will enjoy an enhanced experience. b) The most important reason is that it would appear to be our Christian duty to look after the world that God created for us to live in.

The bible tells us:- “In the beginning of creation… God made heaven and earth......” (Genesis 1:1) “Then God said, “Let us make man in our own image and likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) “The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and care for it...” (Genesis 2:15)

How can we expect God to answer our prayers today if we take for granted and neglect the amazing things he has always given us without our asking? It is unfortunately necessary for the parish to spend a lot of time, money and effort maintaining and repairing our man made buildings but we are also required to care for the natural world that God himself created for us. As individuals or a parish we cannot change the world but we can do our bit. Hopefully as a parish we can plan to do more.

All things bright and beautiful, …………………..continued

‘So I Trust Too’

Many of us will have appreciated the words of poetry or prose that have been left

around the town for us to read and possibly spend a little time in contemplation in

these uncertain times.

This four line Epilogue by John Masefield (1878-1967) was left near Knowle Green

and enjoyed by Lib Turver on her regular walk. At first reading those four lines

may seem strange ones to link together but the words do make you pause and

dwell, certainly, on the last line ‘So I trust too’, giving us confidence to believe

that however difficult or unlikely, goodness will overcome all adversities.

Hope remains.

The Log Twelve

A Reflection by Canon Andrea Titterington.

Wood and trees

Like many common proverbs the origin of “You can’t see the Wood for the Trees” is attributed to many different sources. In ‘A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the englishe tongue’ (1546) John Heywood wrote: ‘An olde saied sawe, itche and ease, can no man please. Plentie is no deyntie [dainty]. Ye see not your owne ease. I see, ye can not see the wood for trees.’ It also appeared in another book of 1533. An improbable explanation relates to a concourse of houses designed by the architect John Wood in Bath where a tree was planted directly in front which grew quite large so that people began to exclaim: "You can't see the Wood for the tree!" Hmmm.

The meaning, whatever the origin, is that someone is so concerned with all the small details of a situation that they are unable to get a clear overview of the big picture and often lose perspective and miss the most important point.

This is a very uncertain time. People are worried and fearful because much that might have been taken for granted has been changed or threatened. There is the obvious danger of COVID 19, an invisible virus that may be fatal. Those not able to access other vital treatments have been endangered. As a result of lockdown, people’s livelihoods have been disrupted. Individual jobs, businesses and the economy are on a knife edge. Recession has arrived and a Depression is forecast. Young people’s education has been interrupted. The chaos of A-level and GCSE results has led to despair. Other issues such as poverty, poor housing, homelessness, domestic violence, racial injustice have been highlighted in the past few months, exacerbated by the overall situation. Just getting through each day will be a struggle for many. Looking beyond the trees may seem impossible.

Lifting our view to the wood or forest isn’t likely to offer solace, however, if we think of the larger picture as presented by the day’s national and international news. Many governments are in the grip of leaders concerned only with their own power. Basic human rights and democracy are in danger in many places. Persecution is rife. Climate change is increasing the occurrence of droughts, hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes, crop failures. Pollution is affecting air, sea and earth. As bad as it is concentrating on the trees, it seems even more frightening looking at the wood. As Christians we look beyond the trees and the wood. We have the Good News of the Gospels and the promises of God. We are instructed to love God and our neighbour. What can that mean right now? The Bible expresses the character of God, the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. All human life, in its sadness, despair, incredulity, pain, hope and joy, is shared in both Testaments. The Psalms often begin in the depths of sorrow: “I cry aloud to God...that he may hear me. /In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;/in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;/my soul refuses to be comforted./I think of God and I moan....” The Psalmist then recalls all that God has accomplished: “I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;/I will remember your wonders of old./I will meditate on all your work,/ and muse on your mighty deeds./Your way, O God, is holy..../You are the God who works wonders....” (Psalm 77) And in his letter to the Romans, St. Paul wrote: “...neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (8:38-39) Reading the Bible lifts us above the wood. And Prayer is our way of sharing all of the confusion, pain, worry, anger, joy and love with God, praying in the name of Jesus Christ. It is the way of listening to what God may be telling us about the trees and the wood. How to find our way in the dark. Our pathway of faith and the reinforcement of our trust. The Bible and prayer will guide and strengthen us to do whatever we can to help others. And in helping others in the trees we will also improve the wood. We can change the proverb and look beyond the wood in hope and courage.

The Log Directory Thirteen

Berry Lane Dental Surgery 7 Berry Lane

Longridge 01772 782 066

Email: reception@berrylanedentalsurgery.co.uk

Www.berrylanedentalsurgery.co.uk

Rewires - Extra Sockets - Security Lighting Burglar Alarms - Small Appliance Repairs

Fluorescent Tubes - Light Bulbs - Etc.

www.longridge-electrical.co.uk

Stephen Bennett PLUMBING & HEATING

Complete bathroom installations Gas, oil, solid fuel heating installations

Wood burners installed All general plumbing, installations and repairs Boiler and cylinder replacement

Drains, guttering and roof repairs Free call out and estimates

01254 878 555 07761 297 563

Plessington Court 60+ Sheltered Accomodation

Apartments at our scheme in Longridge please contact Sarah Reid 01772 783527

sarah.read@msvhousing.co.uk

38 Berry Lane Longridge

Tel. 01772

783837

FERRARI’S Country House Hotel & Restaurant Open Daily for Lunches & Dinners Civil Ceremonies & Wedding Receptions Private Parties & Functions Catered for.

Tel. 01772 783148 Fax. 01772 786174 Chipping Road, Thornley, Longridge, Preston PR3 2TB

RIBBLE FARM FARE

High Class Greengrocers Suppliers to the Catering Trade

Shay Lane Industrial Estate, Longridge

Tel. 01772 782693 / 783386

Jennifer Royle BSc (Hons) MChS Sarah Turner BSc (Hons) MChS HCPC Reg Chiropodists / Podiatrists

2 Towneley Road, Longridge PR3 3EA 01772 378812

Www.thefootroom.co.uk

thefootroom

Anji’s Emporium

37 Inglewhite Road Longridge PR3 3JS

01772 780073 Large Car Park at Rear

HOLIDAY COTTAGE ALSTON LANE

Gold Rated 4 Star 1 Bedroom/ Ground Floor Wheelchair Access

Ideal for visiting family & friends base for exploring

www.theprovenhouse.co.uk Proprietor Kathleen English 01772 782653

07751 989759 or Lisa 07872 650021 Email kenglish56@hotmail.co.uk

You are welcome to it is us in our new shop in Goosnargh during the following times:

1-am-2pm Tuesday to Friday

Phone orders: 9am-6pm Monday—Saturday Tel 01772 786828

Or order online 24/7: www.flowerswithpassion.co.uk

Stone House, Goosnargh Lane, Goosnargh. PR3 2JU

Steve Harling Decorating Local tradesman for all your

decorating needs. Est 1987

High Quality Painting & Decorating Commercial & Domestic, Interior & Exterior

Insurance Quotations

01772 785090 / 07966 185273 steharling@gmail.com

28 Water Meadows. Longridge, PR3 3BW

WARWICK STREET MOTORS LTD

MOT testing, servicing, repairs, diagnostics

Warwick Street, Longridge PR3 3EB Euan Douglas 01772 783282

www.warwickstreetmotors.com warwickstreetmotors@hotmail.com

* * * * *

1 Berry Lane, Longridge Open 7 days a week Weekdays 8am-2pm Sunday 10am-1pm

Hygene rating 2019-20

Paul Gavaghan

Chimney Sweep

All types of flue cleaned Weddings attended

01772 865 182

Joanna’s Animal Care Dog walking and care of animals in their

own homes Home boarding for friendly dogs.

I have a lifetime’s experience looking after animals, from cats to dogs, horses to hens.

Regular and one off bookings. Fully insured and council registered

Please call

Joanna Gavaghan 01772 865 182 07880 741 021

01772 865 182 07765 226 957

LONGRIDGE ELECTRICAL SERVICES & LIGHTING

Jewellers

12 Towneley Parade, Berry Lane Longridge PR3 3HU

01772 782558

Longridge Goldsmiths

Creation Gardening Services A Family Run Business

Over 30 years experience Competitive rates

All garden work undertaken Landscape portfolio also available on request

Please call 07950 242 171 And ask for Ian or Joanne, Thank You

Social Distancing Applies

SPECIALISTS IN LASER CARAFTS

The Log Directory Fourteen

Ireland’s Garage Ltd

M.O.T Testing Servicing & Repairs

Engine Management Fault Diagnosis and Repairs , Tyres & Tyre Repairs

Wheel Balancing & Tracking Estimates without Obligation

60 Inglewhite Road, Longridge, Preston Tel. 01772 785553

Email robpye@talktalk.net Www.irelandsgarage.com

Exhausts, Tyres, Clutches, Brakes, Shock absorbers, Mechanical repairs, Chassis welding, Servicing, Tracking

RIBBLE VALLEY TYRE AND AUTO

SERVICES

Stonebridge Mill, Kestor Lane, Lon-gridge.

Tel. 01772 784000(day) 01772 782797(after hours)

Mobile 07860 273196 Proprietors:

David and Susan Newby

BONDS OF LONGRIDGE LTD.

Automobile Engineers - Repairs and Over-hauls

Tyres - Oil - Petrol - Spares - Accessories M.O.T. Testing

Stonebridge Garage, Longridge

Tel 01772 783298

Chartered Certified Accountants

WHALLEY SWARBRICK

Business Start-up Specialists Free Initial Consultation

01772 785405

Whalley Swarbrick Limited 16 Berry Lane, Longridge

F.M.I. Foss Monks Installations

Gas Fires, Gas Cookers, Gas Central Heating & Maintenance Gas Appliance Safety Checks

Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Gas

Plumbing Repairs & Renewals Complete Bathrooms

Underfloor Heating & Solar Hot Water Systems

For Special offers on boiler and fire servicing call

Steve Monks 07710 191 991 Matt Foss 01772 785347

E-mail f.m.i@hotmail.co.uk

Shay Lane Trading Estate Longridge, Preston. PR3 3BT

Telephone 01772 784626 www.foxtimber.c0.uk

Railway Sleepers, Crossing Timbers, Concrete Sleepers,

Fencing Posts, Field Gates, Rails, Rustic Poles, Wire Fencing, Farming Hardware,

Tanalised Timber treated by Vacuum / pressure impregnation with‘Tanalith’ E preservative

LONGRIDGE UPHOLSTERY

SPECIALISTS

Workshop / Showroom Unit B2, Shay Lane Industrial Estate

Longridge, Preston. PR3 3BT

01772 782337

Haberdashery . Craft . Trimmings

. . . And SEW much More

68 Berry Lane, Longridge Tel: 01772 780883

Email catherinereid409@btinternet .com

Interior & Exterior

Painter & Decorator Experienced, Reliable, Quality & Value

Stuart Black 01772 862 863 07811 352 990

Mobi Village

Your One Stop Mobile and

Computer Shop

81 Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3WH

01772 785057 0800 084 2306

Fonez 4U

Sale & Service of Mobile Phones

Tablets & Computers

22 Berry Lane

Longridge PR3 3JA

01772 379420

Onward Sheltered Housing in Longridge

Park House Towneley House Sheltered hosing provides independent living accommodation for people

over the age of 55, in a warm, comfortable and secure environment. Schemes consist of 1 or 2 bedroom flats, studio apartments

and 1 or 2 bedroom bungalows. For further information or application forms contact

Debbie 01772 783552

DMD Interior Design

Sale of Beautiful Ceramics

Candles, Floral Artistry

Bespoke Paintings Exclusive Leather Luggage

Contact Diane 01772 302299 07989 523841

diane@dmd-design.co.uk

The Log Fifteen

Patterns of Prayer, November. Sowing Seeds of Hope. ( Harvest Sermon) by Rev. Gill

Just after the end of the 2nd world war, on the corner of two streets, a bomb had fallen and flattened the corner shop, killing the owner and his wife. All that was left was a pile of rubble: a sad reminder of the place where the community had gathered and chatted whilst getting their rations. A place of life had become a reminder of death.

Some locals couldn’t bear to see what was left. They decided to plant some seeds as a sign of hope. Then they waited and waited. First, they saw little green shoots that grew taller and taller. Small flower heads appeared: growing and growing, seeming to turn themselves towards the sunlight every morning, following the sun

through the day.

The day came when the flower heads burst open, and people passing by saw the most amazing sight. Huge bright yellow flowers, some as big as dinner plates, threw their faces to the sky, in praise and adoration. Most of the local people were ecstatic: welcoming the flowers as a sign of hope and promise of new life. Some however were very unhappy. They were angry - so caught up in fear and anxiety they couldn’t see beyond the rubble to the beauty springing up before them. They came at night after the sun had set and destroyed all the flowers by trampling them underfoot. Not one single sunflower remained.

What those people didn’t know, was that they had destroyed the flowers at the end of the summer, when the flower-heads were packed with seeds: hundreds of seeds! Inadvertently they had sowed the seeds of hope for a greater and even bigger display the following year. The bombsite, once a place of despair, became a permanent place of hope. Eventually the corner shop was rebuilt; but the community kept a place on the site where the sunflowers could be grown every year as a sign of eternal HOPE!

Whenever we can, we must bury seeds of hope, of promise, of blessing, that God has given us, in order to see them grow. It feels risky, uncertain that what is now out of sight will actually produce anything at all: that life can come from the death of the seed.

It takes a relatively short time for sunflower seeds to develop into a flowering plant. In this culture of instant gratification, waiting is unbearable, despised. God sees waiting very differently. Waiting demonstrates trust, faithfulness, humility. It puts us in a posture of utter dependence upon the Creator of all things. Sometimes we need to wait and wait; and then wait some more.

We are not alone in our waiting. We are not inactive in our waiting. God provides all the essentials for the growth of the seed; but we have to do our part - to water, weed and feed: hoping for the promised harvest. The Sunflower in our garden, planted in the spring, is tall and beautiful and almost in full bloom. Most of its growth has been hidden in the dark soil and the strange months of this strange year. It has reminded us about the many moments we have waited upon God to do what only He could do: restore hope to our souls by reminding us of his promises and his unfailing faithfulness in all our lives. We are all still waiting to see certain promises from God fulfilled in the world, in this nation and in our community: but we know HOPE will not disappoint us.

What does God require of us, at this specific time? • To sow seeds of hope in all the places of darkness and despair. • To do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. • To share what we have, and who we are, in the Harvest of human endeavour.

Let us not be complacent, or inactive, in our waiting… let us continue to pray without ceasing… to retain a full assurance of hope, that God is active in our waiting, remaining obedient to what God has asked us to do, remembering that God always finishes what he starts - saving and blessing us… bringing beautiful life from dry ground and human devastation. He alone has the power to raise life from death… If God has said it, rest assured that he will bring it to pass. We can count it as good as done. All, in the end, is Harvest.

SCHOOL NEWS from Headteacher Catherine Parkin

The Log Sixteen

Food Technology

It’s very hard to work in the school offices when there is the delicious smell of baking coming from the oven. Miss Boardman’s Class have been perfecting their food technology skills recently and distracting us all with the wonderful smell of gingerbread.

Miss B also added carrot soup to the menu, so the children in Year 2 had the chance to catch up on the chopping and grating skills which they missed during lockdown.

Worship

We didn’t celebrate Harvest altogether this year but Mrs Dewhurst’s Class collected gifts of food on behalf of the school to donate to the Ribble Valley Foodbank. Harvest is one of the RE units for Year 3 so it was very important that they put into practice what they were learning about. Many thanks to Mrs RW for delivering the food for us. Thank you also to our friends from the Open the Book Team. We were able to watch their Harvest assembly via Zoom!

We have continued to think about what it means to

have courage. The Old Testament has many stories

about God’s people who have had to stand up for

what is right. We listened to the story of Daniel,

who continued to worship only God although the

law of the time forbade this. He was faithful and

courageous even though he knew he would face

terrible consequences. Even in our most worrying

times we need to have faith that God will look after

us.

The Log Seventeen

Florence Nightingale is a good example of someone who lived out the Christian value of

courage through her work. We learned that she was brave in many ways. She travelled to

countries she did not know, she nursed men who’d suffered terrible injuries in war, she

battled with the authorities for better equipment and facilities but she did something

which must have been harder than all of these. Florence lost the support of her family

when she ventured into her nursing career. It couldn’t have been easy to follow the path

that she believed was right when even her own mother and sister wouldn’t speak to her.

Class 2 will be learning more about her soon.

SCHOOL NEWS ….…...continued

Countryfile & Children in Need Ramble.

- Ruth Buckley This year Countryfile have had to alter their annual Children in

Need Big Ramble to fit in with Covid restrictions. Their challenge

was for supporters to ‘ACT YOUR AGE’ by possibly walking their

age! I decided to accept the challenge and to attempt to walk my

great age of 70 years during October!

My target was to raise an ambitious £500 in memory of my husband Michael, who as you know sadly died in

December. He was a big supporter of the Children’s Society, who benefits from funding from Children in

Need, for many of their projects. Before becoming a vicar, Michael worked for the society, for many years in

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire working with John Pensom who introduced the Christingle service to

England!!

One exciting event that happened is that Countryfile contacted me and I have been interviewed by John Craven ( by zoom, not in person, unfortunately!) Not sure when/if it will be aired, the BBC will be in touch! Any donations will be gratefully received. Cash or cheques can be left at the Vicarage or go online to the Just Giving page - Ruth’s Act your Age Children in Need Ramble.

Preston Deanery Synod

Our parish representatives, elected at the APCM, are ;

Muriel Anderson, Karen Boardman, Gwyneth N Jones.

Preston Deanery Synod held a zoom meeting on Thursday 22nd October. Bishop Philip, Carolyn Barton and Archdeacon David Picken introduced for discussion a section of the 48 page draft Updated Vision 2026 Implementation Plan (2021-2024). It sets out how the diocese intends to support and enable parishes, including ours, in their planning and activities for Healthy Churches Transforming Communities.

Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses, to grow leaders and to inspire children and young people. Give us eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and cour-age to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The Log Eighteen

WORLDWIDE CHURCH - Faithful unto Death

Are there still martyrs today? Sadly, the answer is YES! Here I refer to those

who have died and are still dying for their Christian faith.

In Acts chapter 7 Stephen gives a long speech about faith in God. The leaders

are angry, they drag Stephen through the city and stone him to death, his

dying words were glorifying God. He was just one of many martyrs from early

Christian days. Since then and until now people are being martyred daily all

over the world. We personally know of at least 2 who were our dear friends.

5 years ago, there was a particularly barbarous act of utter hideousness and

cruelty which was shown on videos all over the world. A German author,

Martin Mosebach*, watched with horror and awe as 21 young men were

martyred for their faith. It was February 25th 2015, as a result, Martin, a

journalist and writer felt compelled to investigate the background and faith of

these brave men.

20 of them were young men from small villages in Egypt, they were all cousins

and brothers, faithful members of the very ancient Coptic church *. They were

poor and went to Libya to do construction work to support their families back

in the villages. It was hard labour, long hours, poor facilities and they often

faced abuse.

In December 2014 several of them were kidnapped by the infamous and notorious ISIL Islamic terrorists. The following

January several other were also captured. One lone man, Matthew, a man from Ghana, was also captured. The 20

became 21 and soon he was captivated by their love of God and their Coptic church faith.

What fate awaited them? On the 15th of February 2019 they were taken out of the prison and made to don orange

jumpsuits. Walking in single file with a black clad Isil terrorist armed with swords behind each one they stumbled and

were prodded and pushed along the sea shore. Did they hear the gentle lapping of the waves? Were they thinking of

their loved ones far away from them? We do not know.

Suddenly a voice rang out in an American accent. Brutally they were told that they had one more chance to deny their

Christian faith and turn to Islam or they would die there and then. Some of the young men were carrying palm crosses

and as they were forced to kneel, they started to pray the Lord's prayer in their own language.

Martin immediately started making preparations to discover more about these amazing men. He knew little about the

Coptic church or its doctrine. The more he read the more determined he was to go to their villages and discover how

their families were coping with the tragedy. He arranged flights and soon after landing made his way to the small

villages where the men had come from. He had heard that the body of Matthew, the young convert, was being sent to

his home country but in an extraordinary way the 21 were united even in death. As soon as the families and more

especially the Pope and other hierarchy of the Coptic church were informed of the ghastly deed and the amazing faith

and demeanour of the 21, they were all proclaimed as Saints and martyrs of the Coptic church.

Visiting the families, Martin was blown away with their joy and peace. One man who had lost 2 brothers and a cousin

informed him that having martyrs in their villages strengthened the faith of all of them. No wailing mothers or grieving

wives and children; any sadness was totally wrapped up in their joy and praise as they showed numerous photographs

of the men with martyrs' crowns on their heads. No words of hatred or violence, only the prayer that they were

reciting from the time they heard the dreadful fate of their loved ones. A prayer not for them but for their murderers.

The Log Nineteen

“Dear Lord, please open their eyes to be saved and may they quit their ignorance and the wrong teaching they were

taught”. They live out the Bible teaching: Love your enemies and bless those who curse (or kill) you. Martin stayed

some time with these gentle people and has written a book telling more about these modern-day martyrs.

According to its tradition, the Coptic Church was established by Saint Mark, the apostle and evangelist, during the

middle of the 1st century (c. AD 42). It is still vibrant in various countries of the world.

Kathryn Broughton.

WORLDWIDE CHURCH ……..………… continued

New Children and Families’ Service

Following months of Children’s Church meeting on Zoom, it was with a

degree of considerable excitement that we launched the new Children and

Families’ Service in late September. The new service lasts about 30 minutes

and is full of action songs (no singing, just the actions!), drama, cartoons,

puppets, interactive bible teaching and prayer. The most wonderful thing about the service is that each week a

different family leads the service including their children. We are so grateful for our Children’s Church leadership

families for the energy they have given to launching and leading this service over the last couple of months.

The McCormick family led the official launch service teaching on the topic of the parable of the two sons. We were

treated to the principles of the bible passage being initially illustrated to us by a guest appearance from Sooty, Sweep

and Soo while a traffic light game helped us to think through the application.

The Ng family led the next week looking at the parable of the talents. The story was played out to us through a drama involving a guest appearance from Vernon Kinrade and then the game of Jenga helped us to think through the application. Well done to Noah for being the youngest child so far to read the prayers!

Next came Harvest which for one week only, saw the Children and Families’ service move to St Lawrence’s church. The

Barton family, through a drama and a particularly catchy action song (‘Build a bigger barn’), shared with us the parable

of the rich farmer who kept storing up more and more wealth for himself rather than sharing with others. Through the

service we were also encouraged by watching a Tearfund film to give to those less fortunate than ourselves who live in

other countries.

Most recently the Pettit family led a wonderful morning teaching the story of the wise man who built his house upon

the rock. We had a visual demonstration of the story using a sand tray, Lego, watering can and a toy wind machine

followed by a new song for all us – the ‘Wise Man Rock’. Interactively, we thought through what we can do to build

our lives on the rock rather than on the sand.

The Children and Families’ service meets every Sunday at St Paul’s church and all families are very welcome. In light of the present circumstances though, every week we request that families book their place so that we can monitor numbers as seating is limited due to the ‘bubble’ system. If you would like to come along whether you’re brand new to church or a regular, please e-mail either ; Rev Mike at revmikebarton@gmail.com or Carolyn Barton at carolynbarton@hotmail.co.uk

The Log Twenty

BRIGADE NEWS

A look back at the early years of the Brigade with David Hartley In 1891Walter Mallock Gee formed the Church Lads Brigade (CLB). On the 11th November, St. Martin’s Day ‘Equipment’ of cap, belt and haversack was adopted to be worn by the CLB.

By command of H.M. Queen Victoria. The first Royal Review was held in 1896 at Osborne House, Isle of Wight. 1901 saw the formation of the ‘Church Red Cross Brigade for young women and girls’ by Thomas Milner. The uniform and badge had a distinctive Red St. George’s/Greek/Cross. The large red cross was removed in 1911 along with a name change to ‘The Church Nursing & Ambulance Brigade’ and became known simply as the ‘CNAB’. A name change came again in 1922 when it became ‘The Church Girls Brigade’. At the funeral of King Edward V11 (the first monarch to be Patron of the CLB) 150 of the young women and girls attended First Aid Posts along the funeral route. 1911 the CLB became recognised as Cadets by the War Office and became part of the Government’s Territorial Cadet Force.

Our own company of St. Lawrence with St. Paul opened on the 27thMarch 1912 and by 1915 Mr. T Parkinson was acting Captain.

The Great War. Thousands of CLB lads joined up to fight many did not return. 24 were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery. From our Longridge company Mr. H Ellis and Mr. W McCoskery joined the 6th King’s Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, with Mr. H Dewhurst becoming a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps. He was awarded the D.C.M. for remaining under fire for five hours to repair his flying machine. In response to the call to arms in 1914 the 16th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps is formed, being made up entirely

from serving and ex-members of the CLB and became known as the Churchmen’s Battalion, later to be decimated in 1916 at the battle of High Wood on the Somme. On the home front the CNAB worked treating wounded troops returning back home. 1917 the CLB was affiliated to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as KRRC Cadets and moved into khaki uniform. In 1921 Mr RH Lightfoot became Captain of the CLB and Cadet Captain in Longridge; later in 1924 a blue uniform was introduced as an option to khaki. The Cadet affiliation was abolished in 1936 by the CLB, restoring the Church’s full control of the organisation. Some of you may remember Mr. Frank Salthouse an officer in Longridge before the company was suspended in 1941; later the company was disbanded on the 4th September 1947.

St. Lawrence with St. Paul Company reopened 8th December 1976

On the advice of the CLB Head Quarters we opened as a mixed Company ,registering with the Church Lads’ Brigade and then on the 1st March 1977 with the Church Girls’ Brigade in preparation of the amalgamation of both organisations.

The CLB & CGB amalgamated in 1978 to form The Church Lads’& Church Girls’ Brigade.

Mr Frank Salthouse

The Log Twenty-one

WW CORNER There were lots of obvious choices for November’s recipe - soups, stews,

casseroles - warming, comforting, healthy foods which we can all enjoy this time of year. However, this is a new recipe I made recently for David which he absolutely loved, so I decided it was the perfect choice for you this month. If it made David happy, hopefully it will make you happy too! It’s perfect for Friday night tea with oven roasted homemade chips and peas! Mmmmm….

Cod & Butter Bean Fishcakes 1 smartpoint per fishcake, makes 8 (serve at least two per person) Can be frozen uncooked individually wrapped

Instructions Preheat the oven to 200C, fan 180C, gas mark 6.

Cook the potatoes, drain and mash.

Meanwhile put 500ml water in a pan with the lemon slices, parsley sprigs and season with black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, add half the cod and poach for 4-5 minutes.

Put the remaining cod, chives, mustard and butter beans into a food processor, season and pulse until well combined. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, add the mashed potato and stir to combine. Season well and gently fold the flaked fish into the mixture. Shape into 8 patties.

Combine the zest, breadcrumbs and chopped parsley with some seasoning on a plate. Press both sides of each of the patties into the crumb to give a light coating, the chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before cooking.

Mist a non stick baking sheet with spray oil and bake for 20 minutes.

For details on Claire’s WW in Longridge and Grimsargh, call or text Claire on 07749896171

• 200g potatoes, cut into chunks • 10g low fat spread • 2 sprigs parsley • ¼ lemon sliced, ¼ lemon zest • Black pepper

• 400g skinless cod fillets • 1 tablespoon fresh chives • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard • 200g tinned butter beans, rinsed and drained • 40g dried breadcrumbs

Building Hope and Confidence

Mothers’ Union has numeracy and literacy, peace and reconciliation and gender justice programmes around the

world, to help make sure that communities and individuals are able to thrive. Individuals such as Sarah, a Mothers’ Union member in Kenya. In Sarah’s remote region of Kenya, seven main tribes – predominately nomadic – face daily challenges in accessing food and water, and regularly experience violent conflict over scarce resources. Sarah and her fellow Mothers’ Union members come from the different tribes and are striving to bring peace to their communities. They discuss important issues, build relationships between tribes and promote reconciliation. They act as mediators and help to diffuse tensions. Through Mothers’ Union and the Church, these inspirational women are building peace and hope for the future. Sarah is just one of the 1.1 million people around the world that MU were able to support to improve their lives in 2019 alone. They are living out the prayer of Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers’ Union. Let us pray these words for them and for ourselves: MARY SUMNER’S PRAYER

All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Amen

The Log Twenty-two

The Log Twenty-three

‘SEEDS OF HOPE HARVEST’

In his vicar’s report to the APCM Revd. Mike mentioned the

resourcefulness of the human spirit and I think that

resourcefulness was very much in evidence at our Harvest

Thanksgiving. It would have been so easy with all the restrictions

in place to just let Harvest pass almost unnoticed this year but

through the determination of a brilliant team that wasn’t going to

happen. I think also we were spurred on by wanting to do as

good a job as Marjorie Procter has done over so many years but

whose health sadly prevented her from helping this year.

Our Parish Church is a building which lends itself to creativity and there was much of that in evidence

through the wonderful floral arrangements which Paul Lomax, Dorothy Woods, Jacinth Fitch and Mary

Wilkinson created and the flowers were complemented by different aspects of Harvest displayed on each

windowsill. The theme of The Parable of the Sower, put together superbly by the Mothers Union filled the

Remembrance Chapel and our Harvest theme of ‘Seeds of Hope’ with a splendid branch and packets of seeds

hanging from it dominated the Lady Chapel. A farm linked display on the steps of the lady chapel was the

work of Pat Bolton and Barbara Hunter who also did some of the windowsills, along with Steph Willan, Eileen

Lewis and Yvonne Ball.

Sunflowers were the theme of Revd. Gill’s sermon at the 9.30am Service and that linked perfectly to the

magnificent sunflowers made by the Brigade. Children’s Church produced a colourful rainbow from dyed

popcorn kernels and some great ‘seed’ pictures and the children and their families certainly seemed to enjoy

the lively 11.15am Children’s Church Service.

Thanks to Karen Boardman’s amazing planning 20 families took part in the ‘Seeds of Hope – Treasure Hunt’

in the afternoon and had great fun walking through the major puddles down Pinfold Lane and finding the

clues. There was some treasure waiting for them on their return with lots of goodies to enjoy. During the

afternoon we welcomed many visitors to St. Lawrence’s, some having watched the live streamed service at

home and wanted to come and see the displays.

The day was rounded off with a lovely contemplative service in the evening and we do wish to thank

Rebekah and the choir for their uplifting harvest music.

The Foodbank benefitted tremendously from peoples generosity and as we couldn’t take out Harvest gifts

this year almost 100 specially produced Harvest cards were sent out around the parish. We would very

much like to thank Booths and Sainsbury’s for their contributions and also thank Swifts who supported the

Brigade’s initiative of giving 3 daffodil bulbs to everyone who attended one of the Harvest Services – a lovely

thought.

In the midst of this dreadful pandemic we surely sowed some much needed Seeds of Hope.

D.L.

Stop Press The Ribble Valley Foodbank have confirmed that we sent from our Harvest 236.9kg of tinned and

packet items +27.85kg of fresh fruit and vegetables. A total of 264.75kg (or the equivalent of 630 meals).

The Log Twenty-four

IS SANTA GOING UP OR DOWN THE CHIMNEY!!

Normally the November Log would be carrying a full page advertisement about the

Christmas Tree Fair, this year planned for the 28th November. Sadly just as the

Spring Fair was cancelled due to the Covid 19 lockdown, the current restrictions

prevent us from holding our Christmas Fair. The two fairs are our main fund rais-

ing events and combined raise on average £7,190. The Christmas Fair average is

£3,734.

We hear a lot at the moment about being resourceful and resilient, adjusting and

thinking creatively and the PCC has given approval to a Social Committee initiative

which touches on those because through the use of a ‘Santa Totaliser’ we would

like to try and raise some of the money we would have been expected to make

for general church funds had we held our Christmas Fair. Rie Waterman is cur-

rently making the totalizer so we are not sure whether Santa is going up or down

the chimney but that’s not important because when in place in St. Paul’s church on

Advent Sunday, 29th November, Santa will hopefully be climbing towards a target of £3,500.

How we get to that target is the challenge because we know that for many people these are difficult times but if you

are able to give a donation of even part of what you would normally spend at the Christmas Fair then you will be

helping our totaliser to move in the right direction. Donations can be made in cash or by cheque using the enclosed

envelope and placing it in the red post box in both churches (or through the Vicarage letterbox). Alternatively, you can

make a donation online through our website – stlawrencewithstpaul.org.uk – by selecting ‘GIVE’ from the top menu

options, and then under the Make a Donation heading on the GIVE page select ‘click here’. Or by using your own

on-line banking - please send any donation to 52879860 30-96-85

including FAIR as the reference. You can also make a donation using

the card machine in St. Paul’s Church – please speak to the Steward

looking after it at a Sunday Service and they will set up the machine

for a ‘Fair’ donation. Please call Dot Little on 783998 if you wish your

envelope to be collected. Whichever way you kindly chose to donate,

please return the completed envelope which will enter you into a

lucky dip draw with a chance to win some Christmas themed prizes.

The totaliser will be in place throughout Advent and who knows we

may be able to get a real Santa to come and do the lucky dip and

confirm the final total.

As ever, we are grateful for your continued support, and pray that the

Seeds of Hope planted at Harvest may grow through the season of

Advent and Christmas, and that 2021 will be a better year for us all.

St Lawrence Flower Rota

November 1st In memory of Annie & Bill Walker and Lily Woodacre. 8th Remembrance flowers 15th Remembrance flowers 22nd In memory of Wynn and Dorothy Lewis 29th Advent.

St. Paul Flower Rota.

November Dorothy Woods and Annie Riding

The Log Twenty-five

• So many of us thrive from simple physical gestures that are hard to replicate online. For such reasons people’s isolation has become a real concern and something that can be hard to snap out of. As the Lockdown rules change and adapt, when it’s safe and legal to do so, it’s going to take the more confident among us to gently encourage others out to interact socially and joyfully again.

• Since 4th July when services were able to resume, hosting services hasn’t been without challenge. We’re fortunate to have two church buildings because it’s made it easier to run two services on a Sunday without having to worry about the 72-hour virus transmission window, however it is labour intensive, especially when you add funerals into the cleaning rota, and I’m deeply appreciative for the team of helpers who despite all the regulations have made it possible for us to meet. The same is true for the team of volunteers who through their dedication recently enabled St Lawrence Church to be open six days a week for private prayer.

• When it comes to the worship itself, the choir are adding their voices but many of us would also love to be able to sing along. Things are certainly not as we might want them to be, but I truly believe we’re doing the best we can in an everchanging environment.

And it’s this changing environment that can give us hope for the future.

We saw a real glimpse of this at the ‘Seeds of Hope’ Harvest Festival services and Harvest Treasure hunt where once again all the stops were pulled out to make St Lawrence Church look so beautiful and support the community spirit within our parish. So while looking ahead is trickier than usual I’d like to mention a few things I believe we can look forward to as we move into 2021

Firstly, it’s going to be a real joy to welcome Simon King and his wife Tracey, to Longridge when Simon joins us as Curate next summer – see page 3 for their introduction. Please do be praying for them as they prepare for their transition to a new way of life and all the expectations it brings.

• Secondly, next year our vision emphasis is going to shift to ‘Following Jesus in whole life worship’ because my sense is that while many things about our present life are beyond our control, just like a diamond is formed under pressure, one thing we can positively do is put in some personal work to grow in Christlikeness.

• Thirdly, I’m hoping to launch a Growing Leaders Course which will require wise mentors in our church to support and nurture the younger leaders rising up. More details about this will come in the new year.

• Fourthly, we will continue to prioritise high Safeguarding standards. Though we don’t take it for granted, we haven’t had any reported safeguarding incidents during the period and we are fortunate in this parish to have both a Safeguarding Officer, Janet Redding whose report you can read, and a Safeguarding Administrator Barbara McCormick. Their work is supplemented by Muriel Anderson who is the Champion for Vulnerable adults and Emily Coolican who is the Advocate for Children and Young People. In this the PCC has complied with our duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Finally, another priority I hope to embrace in 2021 is to develop our contact with the wider Youth in our area through growing relationships with the two High Schools in Longridge.

Let me close now with a prayer.

Grant that your Church here in Longridge, O God, may offer living worship to you in your glory, and a living witness to the world in its need; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Every blessing, Revd. Mike.

THE LAST WORD—Rev Mike continued from page 26……..…………

DONATIONS We gratefully acknowledge the following donations to church funds and appreciate the generous responses to the

needs of the church on behalf of relatives and friends in memory of their loved ones.

St. Lawrence repair fund - In Centenary memory of Arthur & Mary Jackson from their family £100

St. Lawrence repair fund – Eddie & Margaret Paynter £100

In memory of Peter Eckton for Churchyard fund and Repair fund £200

Anon. for General Fund £1,000

For churchyard fund via Terry Lewis £50

The Log Twenty-six

• As we continue to think about those things that have gone well there have been a number of fruitful opportunities for ministry and worship even though some have had to adapt to an online format or be temporarily curtailed. These include:

• A 3rd Alpha Course which started in the Vicarage and then moved online when the Lockdown hit. Approximately 30 people have now taken part in this introduction to Christianity course.

• Our first Bible Course took place in St Paul’s Centenary Room in Autumn 2019 and then we ran it again online this summer I’m grateful to Rev. Gill and Ali Ng who ran the first Prayer Course at the start of 2020 and we’re now approaching the end of the 2nd Prayer Course we’ve run.

• This combination of the Alpha Course, the Bible Course and the Prayer Course forms an excellent foundation in the Christian faith and the hope is that when we are able to meet again properly attendees will be able to feed into Homegroups.

• One area that was really pressing forward before Lockdown was our worship. Thanks to the efforts of Rebekah Entwistle and the Choir I felt we had the most beautiful 9 Lessons and Carols service at St Lawrence Church last Christmas. The newly formed Worship Group was also proving a success and became a real inspiration as we seek to get the Informal Service off the ground.

• Then the increase in Junior Choir numbers to around 16 regular singers was a real joy to see. Some of theses things have had to stop just when we were really gathering momentum but the desire is there to pick things up again as soon as we can.

• Another initiative has been Youth Chat, which under the leadership of Heather Henderson and Sara Richardson provides an opportunity for our Youth to ask big questions about the Christian faith and its relevance in their everyday lives.

• Presently our youth development is a bit like a funnel with the Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade providing a safe and open space for all comers at the top, then there’s Youth Group on Friday night (obviously paused at the moment) where we play games and also explore issues a little deeper, and then Youth Chat is a place for nurturing our young Christian leaders. I’m deeply grateful to those who volunteer across our Youth ministry, each plays its own essential role and when I’m struggling for creative ideas, you’ll often hear me saying, ‘Brigade to the rescue!’

• The Covid outbreak has of course brought many challenges but it has also brought about a number of notable initiatives. The first is Zoom Morning Prayer where since the start of Lockdown, six days a week approximately 16 people have met every day to read the scriptures and pray.

• The second is the pastoral care we’ve been able to offer. Lockdown left many of us feeling disconnected, however the Pastoral telephone calls we’ve been able to offer through a team of people coordinated by Kathleen Sturzaker has in some ways increased our connection with our congregation and both the Log and our Church Facebook page have proved their essential value for staying in touch.

• The third initiative is our online service and as we steadily improved the format one of the real highlights for me was the wide range of people across all ages able to get involved.

• The fourth is our most recent solution to the drop in numbers we were seeing on Zoom Children’s Church. While meeting again physically in the Centenary Room would have proved impossible, moving to an 11.15am service where the children can worship alongside their families has been an inspiration.

There are many more things to give thanks for but before briefly looking to the future I also want to acknowledge some of the losses.

• The tragic death of Rev. Michael Buckley with his generous heart and big laugh was a deep sadness last Christmas.

• The impact of the Coronavirus Lockdown has also taken its toll and not just through bereavement and illness. Having to shut the church doors for services over the spring and early summer period was a real blow and most Church related activities like Brew Time, Mothers Union and Tuesday Club are yet to return.

THE LAST WORD—Rev Mike continued from page 28……..…………

………….The Last Word continues on page 25

OUR WORSHIP AND READINGS Our vision is Following Jesus in Loving Community

Now that our churches are open for worship we have two Sunday Services: St Paul’s Holy Communion Service at 9:30am (arrival from 9:00am)

St Paul’s Children and Families Service at 11:15am (pre-book attendance by emailing carolynbarton@hotmail.co.uk)

St Lawrence’s at 6:30pm (arrival from 6:00pm)

Our Online Service now takes the form of a Live Stream from the 9:30am morning service. This can be watched on our Facebook Page.

The readings that will feature in these services are listed below. For those of you who wish to follow the liturgy of the broadcasts, service sheets are downloadable from our

website, www.stlawrencewithstpaul.org.uk under the ‘Resources’ tab, and also on our Facebook page.

1st November - All Saints Day All Souls Service

9:30am St Paul’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s Revelations 7: 9-end Theme: Psalm 27: 1-6 Matthew 5: 1-12 The Kind Stranger John 6: 37-40

8th November - Third Sunday Before Advent (Remembrance Sunday)

9:30am St Lawrence’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-end Theme: Psalm 82 Matthew 25: 1-13 Remembrance Judges 7: 2-22 John 15: 9-17

15th November - Second Sunday Before Advent

9:30am St Paul’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 Theme: Psalm 89, 19-37 Matthew 25: 14:30 A Little Bit of Yeast 1 Kings 1: 15-40 Luke 9: 1-6

22nd November - Sunday Next Before Advent

9:30am St Paul’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s Ezek. 34: 11-16, 20-24 Theme: Psalm 93 Matthew 25: 31-end The Great Feast 2 Sam. 23: 1-7 Matthew 28: 16-end

29th November - The First Sunday of Advent

9:30am St Paul’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s Isaiah 64: 1-9 Theme: Psalm 25, 1-9 Mark 13: 24-end The meaning of Advent Isaiah 1: 1-20 Matthew 21: 1-13

2nd December - The Second Sunday of Advent

9:30am St Paul’s and Live Stream 11:15am Children and Families 6:30pm St Lawrence’s Isaiah 40: 1-11 Theme: Psalm 40: 12-end Mark 1: 1-8 Comfort and Joy 1 Kings 22: 1-28

Matthew 11: 2-11

The Log Twenty-seven

FUNERALS We commend to God those who have died recently and pray for those who mourn their loss.

Barbara Hodgson Barbara Slicer Derek Gunnell John Ormond

Sadie Reid Graham Green Ruby Cartwright Christopher Clegg

Doreen Dixon Dorothy Hunt Brenda Hobro Patricia Walker

Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child, Baptisms, Marriages Arrangements for these should be made with the Vicar (Tel: 01772 783281) or via the Church website

Do you know anybody who is in hospital or ill at home? If so, please let the Vicar know so that they may be visited.

Golden Charter Funeral Plans

For personal attention day or night Complete Funeral Arrangements * Personal Caring Service * New And Restoration Monumental Work

Supplier Of Pre- Paid Funeral Plans Chapel Hill, Longridge, Preston. PR3 3JY. Tel 01772 782291

www.williamhoughtonfunerals.co.uk

The Log

WILLIAM HOUGHTON FUNERALS

Twenty-eight

The Last Word From Rev. Mike

Clergy Annual Report for the period 30th April 2019 - 12th October 2020, six months longer than originally anticipated, due to the unprecedented impact of the Coronavirus. And ‘unprecedented’ describes some of the recent lifestyle changes we’ve had to adapt to at home, at work, with family and friends, in our leisure activities, and also in our worshipping community.

For everyone, the Coronavirus has been both a serious reminder of our own mortality but also the resourcefulness and resilience of the human spirit in the face of opposition. For us particularly at St Lawrence with St Paul, we have tried hard to demonstrate resourcefulness and resilience in our vision to Follow Jesus in Loving community. Despite the recent challenges, together we have spurred each other on to love our neighbour and remain faithful to God. Therefore, as I share with you some of the ups and downs of the last eighteen months and also point you to some of the opportunities ahead, I want to acknowledge the many good things that have happened while also noting those things that have made us lament. True to the Apostle Paul’s instruction in Romans 12.15, we have been and will need to continue to be those who, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’

Since the last APCM many things are worth celebrating, I’ll mention a few. In terms of buildings and fabric:

• People’s generosity and a grant from the Lancashire Environmental Fund enabled us to fundraise £120,000 to replace the lead on St Paul’s roof. This project along with other final fixes was completed in August this year. Special thanks to Rosemary Lyons for all project management of this.

• Malcom Welch has done an excellent job producing a Caring for God’s Creation report that can be used by visitors to explore the wildlife around St Lawrence’s Church. Thank you also to Terry Lewis and helpers for keeping the outside of both churches looking cared for.

In terms of finance: • One of the aims discussed at the last APCM was to balance the budget and thanks to people’s sacrificial giving and

careful financial planning by Graham Kelsall we achieved this in 2019. • More recently having to shut the churches during the spring/early summer period and fewer people now

attending Sunday services because of Covid-19 fears has limited our plate collections but many people have continued to contribute using their giving envelopes and some have switched to Standing Order which makes our financial planning much easier to project. For people’s generosity we are extremely grateful.

Office personnel changes: • During her year and a half as parish Administrator Barbara McCormick did an amazing job digitising our church

procedures and helping our office functions to become more efficient. • I responded with a bit of a gulp when at the end of last year she told me she had found another job which could

offer her more hours. However, I’ve been delighted to have Sam Reynolds come onboard. Without Sam’s creative skills, technical expertise, and patience in recording our online service, the production would have remained very amateur.

………….The Last Word continues on page 26