WHAT'S ON: Whiston

PARISH CHURCH: The Annual Meeting approaches and applications may be made for the Church Electoral Roll by contacting Dhoe 01709 364430.

METHODIST CHURCH: On Sunday the Mother’s Day service was led by Rev Jenny Park when the children presented daffodils to their mothers. Rev Park also led the evening service during which special prayers were said for the family of Mick Smith who had died earlier that day. Mick was a prominent church member who held many offices in the church. The usual coffee morning was held yesterday.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (AFTERNOON GROUP): The March meeting was the AGM. Proceedings started with the monthly meeting. There is still a waiting list. A letter had come from Margaret Ray (a member for 30 years) who is leaving Whiston. There were some photos of Meg Sewell receiving her MBE from the Queen.  Correspondence included an invitation to the Firbeck WI for an event to raise funds for Denman College. Trish Lister invited members to a floral demonstration on March 10 to raise money for the Mayor’s Charity and a letter was received from the hospice thanking the group for donating £57 to them in memory of Reta Sumner. The treasurer’s report included information as to how subs were spent. A provisional booking to visit Denman College has been made for June 6 2017. Group reports were then made – Walks meet on March 16, Flowers meet on March 14. Chantry Group  is going to Tissington Hall and well dressing on May 11. Craft is meeting on March 21 and the Lunch Club on March 22. Members were shown a short film on Meg Sewell’s investiture at Buckingham Palace. The AGM followed which included group reports covering the past year – Shirley Mowatt reported on Craft, Elaine Lambert on Walking Group, Lyn Sheldon on Flowers and Margaret Hempsall on the year’s activities. Meg Rose gave the financial statement. Pam Rose gave the committee’s report and Rona Hudson gave the president’s report. She presented gifts to five retiring committee members and to Margaret Hempsall for playing the piano at meetings and to Wendy Snook and Chris Doe for manning the competition table. Competition winners for the year were: 1st Pam Ward, 2nd Meg Sewell, 3rd Carol Hanneman. The AGM closed with a short film showing some of the year’s activities. The next meeting is on April 7 with the talk In Search of My Mother by Mike Gildersleve and the competition will be A Picture of My Mother.

MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS: Julie Turner and Allen Cowles at Broom Lane Methodist Church on first and third Mondays 6-7pm and at Whiston Parish Hall on second and fourth Mondays 6-7pm. No appointments necessary.