Week beginning July 21st 2003

Thanks from Hedon Mothers’ Union : the bric-a-brac stall held by the Mothers’ Union in Hedon on July 9th raised the magnificent sum of £123, which will go entirely to provide bicycles for Mothers’ Union workers in Africa. Many thanks to all who contributed in any way.

Hedon “Table top” sale : as a change from the usual weekend car boot sales, there will be a mid-week Table Top sale at Albemarle (practically opposite Johnson’s Corner, Hedon) on Wednesday July 23rd from 9.30 a.m. until 12 noon. Proceeds will go to the Albemarle resident’s fund.

A chance to have your say : another public participation meeting is being held on Thursday July 24th starting at 7.00 p.m. in Hedon Town Hall, when members of the public who live in Hedon are invited to bring relevant matters regarding the town before the members of the Town Council for discussion. The meeting will be chaired by the Mayor, Councillor Ann Suggitt.

Broadband for Holderness? DEFRA (the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has now published its Report into Rural Broadband* and posted it on the Internet at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmenvfru.htm#reports . It will be discussed in depth at the next committee meeting of D-Tec on Thursday 24th July, so interested parties are advised to contact Don Avery on ChickGen@compuserve.com beforehand. I have read the report (not intensively, I must admit!) and in essence it seems that the government are aware of the disparity between urban and rural broadband distribution and are anxious to avoid what they term a “digital divide,” with rural communities and businesses disadvantaged by being unable to make the same use of the Internet as urban and suburban communities. The report, although lengthy, is clearly written and I would recommend anyone who is interested in the subject to try and get hold of a copy (it can be downloaded from the website whose address I have given above) and also to register their interest in broadband access to the internet, as it appears that public demand may well be a deciding factor for installation.
*In case you’re wondering, broadband (as opposed to narrowband) is a system of sending information via the Internet at speeds at least ten times faster than conventional connections : it also doesn’t tie up your phone line, which is why I will be the first to sign up as soon as it’s available in my neck of the woods!

Blooming gorgeous! The Hedon In Bloom competition will be judged this coming Thursday, July 24th, by Doug Stewart, the Radio Humberside presenter. Gardens will be judged in a number of categories : the most colourful private garden under 36 square metres in area, the most colourful private garden over 36 square metres, a “previous winners” category (for first prize winners only), community or group entry, a business / traders category, and a “Garden in a tray” category for children. Hopefully the recent spell of warm weather will have brought the gardens to their peak at just the right time for the competition, and the “open gardens” weekend at the beginning of August should be well worth a visit.

Church Services for Sunday July 27th 2003
Hedon : St. Augustine’s Parish Church : Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m, Morning Praise at 10.00 a.m., Deanery Confirmation Service at 6.30 p.m. at Paull
Hedon Methodist Church, Church Lane : Morning Worship 10.30 a.m., United Service 6.30 p.m.
St. Joseph and St. Mary’s 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 : Deanery Confirmation Service at 6.30 p.m.
Paull Methodist Church, Main Street : United Service 6.30 p.m. at Hedon
Preston : All Saint’s Parish Church : Holy Communion at 9.30 a.m., Deanery Confirmation Service at 6.30 p.m. at Paull
Preston Methodist Church : Communion service at 10.30 a.m.