Week beginning December 15th 2003

Christmas in Hedon : this season is a very busy time for everyone involved with services at St. Augustine’s church in Hedon : after Sunday’s Christingle service (which will already be past by the time you read this!) the week commences with Christmas carols on Monday December 15th for Hedon Primary school starting at 6.00 p.m.; on Tuesday 16th it is South Holderness School’s turn, with their carol service starting at 6.00 p.m. too, and on Wednesday 17th Inmans Primary School have their carol service at 2.00 p.m. – all these carol services are being held in St. Augustine’s church (please note that the 10.00 a.m. service on Tuesday will not therefore take place.) The churches own carol service will take place on Sunday 21st at 6.30 pm. – see the church services section at the end of this column for more details.
On the following Wednesday (Christmas Eve) there will be a special Crib Service for children and families, starting at 5.00 p.m. which will include carols and a crib presentation, and the Christmas Eve Midnight Eucharist service will start at 11.30 p.m.
On Christmas Day there will be a 10.00 a.m. Christmas Communion service.
Hedon Methodist Church are hosting the annual Civic Carol Service on Wednesday December 17th at 7.30, and will also be holding a Midnight Communion service on Christmas Eve, starting at 11.30 p.m., and a Christmas Day service at 10.15 a.m.

Christmas in Preston : as in many other Holderness villages, there will be a display of decorated Christmas Trees in All Saints’ Church, Preston this Christmas. The lights on all the trees will be formally switched on at the village carol service, appropriately with the theme “Let there be light,” at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday December 18th and thereafter the church will be open for viewing on Friday 19th between 2.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. and on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m, followed by a Christingle service on the Sunday starting at 4.00 p.m.
Sunday 21st’s service will be at the normal time (see the church services section at the end of this column) and on Christmas Eve there will be a Midnight Communion service which will start at 11.30 p.m.

Christmas in Paull : Paull Primary School are holding their Christmas Carol service in St. Andrew’s Church on Friday December 19th starting at 2.45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
On Sunday 21st there will be a Christingle Service in St. Andrew’s. starting at 3.00 p.m., and on Christmas Day there will be a Holy Communion service at 8.30 a.m.

Carols and Mince Pies in Paull : everyone is invited to an evening of Carols and Christmas entertainment in Paull Village Hall on Saturday December 20th, starting at 6.30 p.m. Most of the entertainment will be of the do-it-yourself variety in the community singing of Carols and Christmas songs; there will also be a raffle (so bring your purse!) and the entry price of 50p will include tea, coffee or soft drinks and of course mince pies. The evening is being organised once again by the girls of Holderness Rangers, who are having to raise a large amount of money to cover the unit’s expenses for the coming year. Anyone who wishes to play Santa and make their dreams come true is more than welcome to come along – all donations gratefully accepted!

More carol singers wanted! Whilst we’re on the subject of carol singing, the parishioners of Preston church have arranged to visit the Victoria House Disabilities Trust on December 17th to entertain the residents with Christmas carols and festive cheer, and are trying to recruit more singers. If you are free on that evening (it’s a Wednesday) contact me and I will give you a contact number; if you live in Preston and know who to contact, go ahead – singers of all ages will be most welcome!

Christmas Bazaar Thanks : Recent Christmas Bazaars in the area have once again proved very popular and St. Augustine’s church, Hedon, raised a grand total of £1,677 and St. Andrew’s Paull raised £674. Many thanks to all who helped, whether in running the stalls, providing refreshments, sending goods to the bazaars or spending your money! Both churches have on-going repairs to fund so your donations are much needed and appreciated.

Reclamation of the ancient Haven at Hedon : Five years ago a scheme was proposed and launched to restore water to the ancient haven at Hedon. The design was created and the complete proposal was displayed to the public and press in Hedon Town Hal.,
The Project has now achieved Charity status and grant aid, and so is now in the position to move on to the next stage. In order to comply with statuary requirements set out by English Nature an archaeological desk-based assessment has been commissioned, without which nothing could happen. When that has been completed, advice from the professional bodies will be sought as to the best way to protect or incorporate any features that may be found. Soon a full public re-launch of the scheme will be mounted.
There are still many hazards ahead and it's not time to bring a spade yet, but contributions large and small will be more than welcome! Contact 01482 891050 if you wish to know more about the project or can offer help in any way.
So - merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, partners and supporters!

Which way is up…? Paull has recently acquired a couple of attractions which have finally placed us on the tourist map, namely Fort Paull and the Paull Holme Strays nature reserve, and we have now been visited by some workmen who put up some of those impressive brown “tourist” signposts – you know the ones, ours has a capital “M” in a Greek-temple-thingy to signify “Museum” and a fat white duck indicating a nature reserve, with “Fort Paull” and “Reserve” in case the pictures don’t make things clear. Admirable signs, in fact. One is sited at the T-junction at the end of Paull Road and indicates the way to the village and another is at the fork in the road at the entrance to the village, directing visitors down Back Lane. It is the third one which is somewhat puzzling : larger than the one directing traffic through the village, it is prominently sited halfway down Hedon Road Paull, between the T-junction and the village. Unfortunately it points unambiguously left – straight at Battery Cottage and its boarding kennels! Which is why the proprietor of the kennels rang me in dismay and in anticipation of hopeful birdwatchers turning into his driveway en route to the Strays! Presumably the arrow on the sign should be pointing “up” (that is, along the road, indicating to motorists that they should drive straight on.) So, if you are intending to get a bit of fresh air over the next few weeks – there is an excellent footpath along the new embankment, well worth the journey for a walk along the estuary – just follow the first signpost, ignore the second and follow the third, and you won’t go far wrong.

The following Church Services will take place on Sunday December 21st:
Hedon : St. Augustine’s Parish Church : Carols and Readings at 6.30 p.m
Hedon Methodist Church, Church Lane : Holy Communion at 9.30 a.m., 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 : Christingle Service at 3.00 p.m.
Paull Methodist Church, Main Street : no service this week
Preston: All Saint’s Parish Church : Morning Worship 11.00 a.m.
Preston Methodist Church : morning service at 10.30 a.m.