Christmas Fair

Well plans are well under way for the Christmas Fair next week on sat 27th, this year it is being organised by the Social Club with a format used at the Strawberry fair last July. Watch out for the report on this blog.

Another Win for St Marys

Yet again the gardeners have done a great job in St Mary's Garden, they have taken Gold in the Beeston in Bloom Competition. In the photo is Brian and Joy Astall, Rev Jude Smith with deputy Lord Mayor Patrick Davey.

All for good causes- give them credit for a job well done

The £50 challenge is a competition between the Year 7 Forms at Abbey Grange CofE High School, where within each form, small groups of pupils are asked to raise as much money for charity as possible. The good causes this yaer are very much at the fronts of our minds, Martin House at Boston Spa and the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.  In attempt to make a difference, 3 pupils came up with the idea of a Fashion Show.......and all thishaving to be organised with 2 weeks......

The key was to persuade and enlist other indiiduals and groups into the project,so, St Marys Charity Shop was asked to proide the clothes and models, Beeston Parish Centre & Social Club provided the venue and facilities.

However, with any type of this event, there is no telling in advance as to how many will attend, although publicity plays a key part in this, so, the local parish magazine, posters and leaflets around the organisers own parishes, emails to friends and families etc, so was this enough?

So on the night how did they do? It was a great success, the total after expenses raised was £140 to go towards the Haiti and Martin House, plus the Charity Shop itself did a roaring trade after the show.

The 3 girls (all aged 11yrs old) who organised the event did really well, in addition to organising, they also did some of the announcing in front to the audience, opening the event, introducing the accompianist and compare, drawing the raffle organising a Fashion Quiz and closing the event, all tasks that can be quite daunting.

There as lots of praise for the girls, " A credit to their school" was heard and the compliment was well deserved and of course the good causes need all the help they can get.

The Charity Shop at St Mary's opens on Wed's and Thur's each week and all its funds to towards the upkeep of the church. Another show, organised by the Charity Shop itself this time is planned for the Autumn.

Nativity 2009- The Christmas Three

The afternoon of Sun the 20th, the children of St Mary's performed a Nativity Play. It was the traditional Chiristmas Story through the eyes of a Donkey, A Sheep and a Camel all known as the Christmas Three and was a mix of narration, acting and songs.  Lots of prep work and a little stress on the day, but in the end it was GREAT. Big thanks to all those who helped organise and all the children who took part and all those how took part recieved a small present as a way of saying thankyou.
If you would like to hear an excerpt from the play, click on to the link below (this is an audio blog system called AUDIOBOO).  Once at the audioboo site, press the triangle play button.....
 
http://audioboo.fm/boos/85609-st-mary-s-beeston-nativity

Christmas Fair or Fayre?

Today was the Parish Christmas Fair at St Mary's which not only raises funds but also provides a place for people in the community to meet, renew some old friendships, pick up a bit of bric-a-brac or have a win on one of the competitions. As usual the ladies in the kitchen worked hard to keep everyone fed and watered. This year St.Nicholas made a surprise appearance and gave presents to all those who visited his superbly decorated Grotto. So big thanks to all those who were involved.
The photo shows St Nicholas with a visitor, but watch this space, more photos to come......

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday at the 6pm Service took a different approach to remembering and understanding conflict. After the Eucharist, we were treated to a film about the conflict between the Palestinians and Israeli people and the work that the Bereaved Families Forum are doing,  with joint dialogs, joint meetings and actions for peace. The forum is made up from members of both sides who have all lost loved ones in the conflict.  Take a look at the web site at the link below to find out more about what this group of people are doing. 

www.mideastweb.org/bereaved_families_forum.htm

What a Great Night

On Sat the 17th Oct, the Social Club organised a concert by a group of people known as OVATION. This was to provide an evening of entertainment for both members and the people of Beeston plus it was also raising funds for the Church.  ...... and what a great night it was! We were treated to songs from a variety of shows, including a solo by one of the group's daughter who was 10 years old who sang Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables. The evening culminated in a super medley of songs from the Abba's Mama Mia. Thanks must go to the Social Club Committee who worked hard to stage this event, including the suberb buffet supper. Watch out for the next club event, 'James Frank and Friend's present a Musical Evening on Sat 31st Oct.  To view the picture album click the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/steveg4rch/Ovation?authkey=Gv1sRgCOiYzeeDr7nE-QE&feat=directlink