Week beginning June7th 2004

New website for Hedon : on November 7th 2003 an appeal was launched to raise funds for the restoration and development of St Augustine’s, Hedon’s parish church. During a storm in late 1999 one of the pinnacles at the top of the tower fell onto the tower roof and causing damage to the bells, and an inspection revealed further problems with the stonework and roofing. Now three years later that initial repair is virtually completed, but the report on the church fabric showed the extent of work needed and it was clear that an appeal was going to be needed to fund restoration. Substantial sums of money are required, mainly due to the large areas of stonework, roof slating and glass involved - in volume the church is the equivalent of four or five average size parish churches (hence its title "The King of Holderness”). Its height and position has exposed it to the full force of the elements from all directions for over 800 years so virtually every part of the church requires some work. Besides repairs and restoration, the plans also include developing the interior of the church with modern facilities of the kind expected in the early 21st century in a major public building in the middle of a busy market town.
Details of the appeal, along with lots of background information about Hedon and its church, are now available on-line, on http://www.StAugustines-Hedon.freeservers.com , along with information and contact details of what to do if you can offer to help in any way.

Blood donor presentation : Mr Edward Heath of Preston – who described himself to me as “the other Ted Heath” – has recently been presented with a crystal award at a ceremony in Bilton Church Hall to mark his 75th blood donation. This is a commendable achievement and Mr Heath asked me to tell you all that blood donors are always needed, for whether you are a common blood group (like me) or a rare one (like him), your gift could save several lives.

Litter in Paull : while we’re on the subject of public-spirited citizens, I’d like to tell you about another of the community’s unsung heroes – or in this case, heroines. Every morning, while out walking my dogs across the playing field and along the river front at Paull, I encounter a lady with a large black bin bag, stooping over and collecting litter from the field, car park and picnic area as she goes. Every day she fills the bag and puts it in the bins (where the litter-droppers could have put their rubbish in the first place) and if the bins are getting full, on returning home she rings the council and tells them, and asks them to empty the bins, which they do. This lady is Mrs Joyce Pickering and she does it for no other reason than because, she says, she likes to do “her bit.” At a recent Parish Council meeting the comment was made that if even half the people in Paull were even half as public-spirited as Joyce Pickering, Paull would indeed be a wonderful place to live.
One bit of litter this week, however, was beyond any bin-bag : on my early-morning stroll what should I find in the middle of the playing field but a burnt-out car. The wreck was quickly removed but the damage done remains, in the form of a large circle of burnt earth and debris which will take a considerable time to recover. Words don’t exactly fail me – I can think of lots of words, but the editor wouldn’t print what I REALLY think of this mindless vandalism, and I’m sure you will agree with me. Thank goodness for the likes of Joyce Pickering to restore my faith in human nature. “Thank you” seems inadequate, but “Thank you, Joyce,” for all you do.

D-Day celebrations in Hedon : “We’ll Meet Again,” a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, is being held on Wednesday June 9th in the Alexandra Hall, St Augustine’s Gate, Hedon at 2.00 p.m. All seats cost £4.00 and tickets are available from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Customer Service office on New Road (just round the corner from St Augustine’s Gate) or by telephoning the Ticketline on 01723 507186. This promises to be an afternoon of pure nostalgia!

Hedon Open Gardens : as a finale to the Hedon Flower Festival there will be an Open Gardens weekend around Hedon on Saturday June 12th and Sunday June 13th.

Holderness Lions : Holderness Lions are now well into their second year and going strong. They now hold two sessions of Farmers Bingo every month - the second Wednesday in the month this is held at The Haven Arms, Hedon and on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Barn Farm in Thorngumbald.
On Wednesday 16th June they will be running a tombola outside the Post Office in Hedon,
and their major Service Activity in June will be a trip out for Senior Citizens - this started out with one coach but so popular did it prove that they have had to organise two coaches. Both are FULL and there is a waiting list. All they need now is good weather – whatever happens, however, they will make sure that the atmosphere is a happy one!!!.
Further details of The Lions can be obtained from Lion Eileen on 01482 890197.

Midsummer Songs of Praise : there will be an open-air Sings of Praise service on Market Hill, Hedon on Thursday June 10th starting at 7.00 p.m. (in St Augustine’s Church if it rains.) Music will be provided by the Northern Lights Girls Brigade Band and the singing will be followed by a Ploughman’s Supper in the Methodist Church Hall, Church Lane. Supper tickets must be bought in advance from church stewards and cost £1.50, but the service of course is free and anyone is welcome to come along and join in.

The following church services will take place on Sunday June 13th 2004
Hedon : St. Augustine’s Parish Church : Said Communion service at 9.30am; Civic Service at 11.00 a.m.
Hedon Methodist Church, Church Lane : morning service at 10.30 a.m., evening service at 6.30 p.m.
Saints Mary & Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Baxtergate, Hedon : Daily Mass times : Sunday 10.30 a.m., Monday 9.15 a.m., Tuesday 9.15 a.m., Wednesday 7.30 p.m., Thursday 9.15 a.m., Friday 7.30 p.m., Saturday 6 p.m.
Hedon Pentecostal Church meets every Sunday at 10.30 a.m. in the Jubilee Room of the Alexandra Hall, St. Augustine’s Gate; a Sunday School is also held at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday.
Paull : St Andrew’s Parish Church : Evensong at 6.30 p.m.
Paull Methodist Church, Main Street : no service this week – the next service will be on June 20th at 3.00 p.m.
Preston: All Saint’s Parish Church : service of Holy Communion at 9.30 a.m.
Preston Methodist Church : service of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.