Recent Events
Paddy Taffy Evening.
In March we held a Paddy Taffy evening when
people dressed up in their idea of Welsh or Irish dress.
The bar staff with corks around their hats looked
more Australian but we all enjoyed the food and had a good time.
Jill in authentic Welsh costume.
Mothers Union Tea.
On a beautiful April afternoon the Mothers Union held a fund raising tea party on the vicarage lawn. This was very well attended and raised £300 for their charities.
Members of the MU and friends enjoying the tea and the sunshine.
Lunch & Natter.
In June we held a Lunch & Natter when over 50 more senior members of the parish and the surrounding district gathered for lunch in the Church Hall. Transport is provided if needed by volunteers and we all sat down to an excellent lunch. These functions provide an opportunity for friends who may be not so mobile these days, to meet together for a meal and a good chat, hence the title.
Some of the guests enjoying the lunch.
We are always dependent on our excellent catering volunteers and for once we have included a picture of them.
Flower Service.
In June we held our annual Flower Procession and service. We were led by a police marching band around the village of Henbury and back to the Church for the service.
The Brownies striding out near the head of the procession.
Annual Parish Lunch.
In May we held the Annual Parish Lunch at Sheila's restaurant Intake Farm Rushton Spencer.
An excellent meal was enjoyed by all.
Some of the guests at Sheila's Restaurant.
Harvest Festival.
St. Thomas' has the traditional round of socials during the church's year, one of which is inevitably Harvest. In earlier years, there were many farms in the parish, but these have slowly disappeared or been amalgamated with others. But Harvest Festival still goes on! We had a Harvest Service, where the young people's uniformed groups were involved and Harvest gifts brought for distribution to the housebound the following day. The the church was decorated by our team of flower arrangers, as can be seen in the photos. Then the following Friday we had our Harvest supper, with hot pot and apple pie, followed by entertainment.
Continuing the rural theme, on the second Sunday of January every year, we have a Service of blessing a plough and a new-born lamb, with the younger members of the church particularly involved.
Other Services during the year when young people are involved are at our Christingle Service on the second Sunday in September and a Flower Service on the second Sunday in June, both of which are run by our Sunday school. On Christmas Eve, there is always a short Service where children help to decorate the crib.
This Autumn, we were able to welcome the Right Revd. Robert Attwood, recently appointed Bishop of Stockport, on his first visit to our church, so he could meet us and in turn, us get to meet him.
The alter decorated with traditional flowers and harvest produce. Lectern and pulpit.
100th Birthday Celebration.
In August we had the 100th birthday of our oldest member of the congregation Mrs. Gladys Western.
Over 60 members of her family and friends gathered in the Church Hall to help her celebrate with a buffet, birthday cake and champagne.
The cake was greatly admired as were the telegrams from Her Majesty The Queen and The Right Honorable Ian Duncan Smith Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Gladys cutting the cake with her daughter.
Family and friends The cake and telegrams Telegram from Her Majesty
Christmas Crib Service.
Crib built by the children.
We enjoyed the Christmas Services and the Crib Service was particularly well attended when over 30 children helped to make the Crib.