Saturday the 27th May dawned the Church doors were flung open and the three day event had arrived. We started with a short service of thanksgiving and placed the whole of the event in the hands of the Lord.

Friends old and new came to see the exhibition. Due to the bus strike, some came by tram, others by car and some on foot. We spent a wonderful three days reminincising and travelling back down memory lane.

There were old magazines dating back to 1909 and folk were looking for family Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths in them. Old photographs of how Bells Lane had looked, photographs of Church events back in the 60’s. Information about Babbington Colliery, the Architect Thomas Hine, our benefactor Thomas North and many other interesting facts.

Another mammoth task which was undertaken by Sheila O’Connor (one of our more newer members) was a booklet on the history of Christ Church over the last 150 years and together with photographs scanned in by our Vicar, the book was on sale at the weekend. We do thank Sheila for her hard and conscientious work at obtaining the correct facts. There are copies available to purchase for £1.50 each

Everyone who played a part in this event either by loaning photographs, memorabilia, display material or just helping on the day we do owe a big thank you to you for without your assistance this exhibition would not have happened. It was a wonderful experience enjoyed by many. We all went home very tired but happy at the result.

Now we look forward to a new period in the life of our Church under new Leadership and we just hope and pray that you will all be part of it.

Monday 29th May. Last day of Exhibition. Well Diary, last day today. Unfortunately quite a bit of rain fell, so seemed to be less people today. As the time to pack away drew near the weather brightened a little, so as soon as we had ‘closed’ for the day we emptied and took down the tent, getting it away dry, thank goodness. Then it was the turn of the marquee. Steven, Chris Simcock and I reversed what we has done three days earlier, and everything was dry apart from the marquee roof.

This we left in the Church Hall overnight and folded away the next evening. Marquee went back to sister’s house and dummies went back to whence they came. I think the Exhibition was a success. One memory that will stay with me was seeing the ‘photo of Dougie holding the plaque we presented to him last year, this brought a smile, and some sadness that he didn’t quite make it to help show people around the Church of which he was a part for so long.

Good-night Diary. Ricki

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Back row from left: Grant Welch, Tony Porter - Bishop of Sherwood, Richard Hanmer, Charles Knowles
Front row: Kath Batte, Mary O'Connell, Joan Whysall, Sue Cummings & Liam O'Boyle

Eight Revds and a Bishop . . . .

gathered together for our Special Celebration Eucharist on 18th June. The church was full to overflowing with visitors, previous church wardens as well as our own congregation. It was a stirring service as we thanked God for his blessings over the last 150 years. The Service was followed by a Buffet Lunch in the Church Hall.

Each of the vicars had the opportunity to share some of their memories of Christ Church.

The event raised £871 for our Church Funds so a big thank you for all your support.

Marita with delicious waffles

and also

Sheila and Arthur Reed who celebrated theirs on the 21st July.

The trophies were purchased, the tables collected, the winning cards printed, food was bought and the judges had been contacted and Saturday arrived. Young people’s entries, the craft sections and photography flooded in. I wouldn’t have liked to be a judge looking at the superb needle craft and cards presented. There was a slow stream of cakes and flowers but where were all the vegetables and fruit - very sparse although those that were received were good.

Anne, John and Betty did a great job writing out the competitors cards in the 1½ hours before the show. At 11.15 the judges arrived ready to begin their work at 11.30. The Hall was cleared of everyone except the scrutinisers and Celia, Pat and I remained in the kitchen preparing the lunches.

Anne and John did a sterling job totalling the points ready for the trophies to be presented and at 1.00pm after the judges departures the public were allowed in. Lunches were served and Joan & Sheila did a roaring trade selling raffle tickets. At 3.00pm Don presented the trophies to the winners, unfortunately our vicar, Joan, had to leave as she had a wedding to take, but Don did a great job of the presentation.

All the children who entered were given bags of sweets. Then followed our Auction presided over by Chris Simcock which was great fun there was everything from rhubarb and cakes to greeting cards and flowers. Overall our day after paying for trophies and the like made £130 for Church funds.

After the Hall was cleared David and I had to return the tables to his Scout Hall at Mansfield so our day didn’t finish till we arrived home about 8.00pm.

Thursday 21st September saw the back of church filled with tables covered with different craft materials. Children from the parish had been invited to a craft evening linked to our Horticultural show. The crafts they produced could be entered into the show with the chance of winning a prize.

asks were made, harvest collages were created to a high standard and various pieces of jewellery were crafted. This activity proved to be extremely popular with the girls, and lots of necklaces, bracelets and rings were produced

Part way through the evening, we had the chance of refreshments with pizza, squash and biscuits. These seemed to recharge everyone’s batteries ready for them to start again. Eventually, it was time for the glue and glitter to be put away and everyone went home, the children clutching their treasures and the adults exhausted but happy, as this had proved to be another successful activity for our youngsters.

Many of the items were entered into the show and I’m glad that I didn’t have to judge them! The standard was very high

Just recently, on a couple of Saturday mornings, I’ve been asked “Would you like to go and see Uncle John?” What a silly question. Of course I would! So I’ve been bundled into the car with some gardening tools. This was a bit suspicious as gardening tools usually mean work and there had been no mention of work!

We arrived at church and sure enough there was Uncle John and Auntie Anne and soon to follow were my new friends Joan and Don. Then some other old friends arrived and everyone seemed keen to do some gardening. There was even talk of sausages for lunch. Yummy. I like sausages.

After renewing old friendships and making new ones, I decided it was time to entertain the troops but they didn’t seem to appreciate my singing! In fact I was told to be quiet! Huh!

Weeds were pulled up, tree branches chopped and bushes pruned before everyone stopped for their sausages. Just one question: Where was my sausage? I managed to beg a little of the bread but no one gave me a sausage.

A few weeks later, we met again and this time I played a new game. The leaves were being blown into a pile to make everywhere look tidy and it was great fun chasing about in the leaves as they were blowing along. No one else joined in though. Again, that day I made some more new friends.

Although we managed to do a lot of work on both days, there is still lots more to do. If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, why not come along next time we get together? We are a friendly lot, and I help to supervise proceedings. I’m told my bark is worse than my bite (If I was to bite, I’d be in serious trouble, besides, my manners are a little better than that). If you don’t like gardening, what about making the tea? Or you could come and play with me, and if you are brave enough, you could give my ears a scratch, but I don’t like too much fuss.

Jane and John would like to thank everyone who came along to help with the church garden on the two Saturday mornings. It was much appreciated.

Hope to see you all again soon and may be even make some more new friends.

Woofs, licks and wags . . . from Peg (Jane’s dog).

Our Christmas Fair this year had a Dickensian theme in line with our 150th Anniversary Celebrations and was opened by our MP, Graham Allen.

Scrumptious Cakes

Fabulous chocolate fountain

The event raised £653 for Church Funds - Thanks everyone

Books & Toys

Have you ever thought about an alternative to the Halloween celebrations? Well, this year the Sunday club leaders did just that and the result was a Light and Bright party. Many invitations were sent out and lots of children turned up to take part.

The emphasis was on light, with activities including glass painting, making torches and making bright wall hangings.

As all good parties have food, sausages and mushy peas were cooked to help keep the hunger pangs at bay.

'Coffee & Chat' Christmas Dinner