Week beginning November 4th 2002

Winter draws on …. Fieldfares continue to flock to the area in large numbers, confirming that winter is well and truly on its way! Large flocks of these greyish thrushes have arrived from Scandinavia seeking our relative warmth, and at the same time taking advantage of the bumper crop of berries in the hedgerows. This, according to folklore, is supposed to be a portent of a bad winter in that it is Mother Nature's way of providing food for the birds. I prefer the alternative view, that it is a result of an excellent summer for the berry-bearing trees and bushes! Whichever it is, we shall see in due course, but meanwhile there is a surprising amount of birdsong in the woods around Paull as if the birds, finally freed from the work of raising their broods through the spring and summer, have renewed energy and plenty to sing about. The walks here are very pleasant at the moment, but anyone intending to come and see for themselves is reminded that it is very muddy underfoot and so strong shoes or boots are recommended, and also that the path beyond Fort Paull is still closed due to continuing work on the sea defences.

New exercise class : Need to warm up as the winter closes in? Why not join the new Power Yoga class starting on Friday November 8th and running from 9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Alexandra Hall, Hedon. These times are especially suited to parents who need to take children to school first and collect them at lunchtime. For further details, contact the South Holderness Adult Education Centre by telephoning (01482) 897534 on any weekday morning or Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Christmas is coming! We are always being exhorted to "shop early for Christmas" and this column is no different : a very special Christmas event is being planned for Hedon, in the form of a Victorian Carol Evening to be held in the Town Hall, Hedon, on 20th December. It will be hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Hedon, Councillor Allen and Mrs. Julie Marshall and tickets will be £5, to include entertainment and wine and mince pies. Tickets will be available from the Town Hall from November 2002 (tel. 01482 898428 to book.) Although this event is still some way away, numbers have to be limited because of the size of the venue, and when this event was held last year it proved extremely popular and sold out very quickly, so if you wish to attend you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Parent and Toddler Group : The Preston Methodist Parent and Toddler group meet every Tuesday and Friday in the Methodist Church Hall from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. New members are always welcome to come along and join in.

Christian website items wanted : If you write Christian poetry, devotions, prayers short stories, songs or monologues and would be happy to share them on a Christian website, then Ian Meen would be pleased to hear from you. For further details please contact him directly by email : webmaster4031@meen.karoo.co.uk , or contact me on 01482 896712 and I will pass on his phone number (I never put phone numbers on this page without the permission of the person concerned.)

School Reunion : Did you, or anyone you know in our area, go to Frances Askew School in Gypsyville? Are you an Old Boy from the years 1945 - 1955? Because if you are, your old schoolmates are trying to contact you! A reunion - the 43rd such annual event - is being held at the West Park Hotel on Anlaby Road, Hull, on December 20th from 7.45 pm. If you are a Frances Askew old boy, or you know anyone who is, then contact Roy Collins on 01482 645195 as soon as you can for details - he'd love to hear from you!

Road closed - reminder : Baxtergate in Hedon will be closed to all traffic on Monday 11th November in order to enable Transco to lay new gas pipes. Although the closure order is for three weeks, it is anticipated that the work should take no more than two days to complete. Baxtergate is part of Hedon's one-way system, so residents and bus passengers will need to take alternative routes in this part of Hedon but as far as is possible disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Remembrance Day Parades :
Hedon : the Parade being held by the Hedon Branch of the Royal British Legion leaves the Market Place, Hedon, at 10.30 a.m. for a service at St. Augustine's church, and after the service the parade continues to the Cenotaph in Ivy Lane for the wreath-laying ceremonies.
Paull : please meet at the Village Hall from 2.30pm onwards for the parade followed at 3pm by a united churches service and wreath laying at the War Memorial, at the corner of Town End Road and Back Lane. All organisations and individuals are very welcome to join in.
Preston : A united service will be held at 10.30 a.m. at the Methodist Chapel; once again, all are welcome to attend.

Church Services for Sunday 10th November :
Hedon : St Augustine's Parish Church : Remembrance Day parade - see above - this service will be conducted by Rev. W.H. McLaren
Hedon Methodist Church : All Age Worship at 10.30 a.m., Holy Communion service at 6.00 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 10.30am in the Jubilee Room of the Alexandra Hall, St. Augustine's Gate; a Sunday School is also held at 10.30am every Sunday.
Paull : St. Andrew's Church and Paull Methodist Church are holding a united Remembrance Sunday service - for details see above.
Preston : All Saint's Parish Church and Preston Methodist Church : united Remembrance Sunday service - please see above.