Syston Town News » Church News

SYSTON FEAST

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:06:59 +0000

Feast Sunday falls on the first Sunday after 10th July although the church is dedicated to St Peter, whose day is on 29th June. The discrepancy is said to be due to the change of calendar in September 1752 when 11 days were added, but Syston continued to observe the Feast according to the old calendar. The feast was commonly called the Wake. Its origin is with the Church. In olden times the Saturday was kept as ‘awake night’ watching and preparing to come to the Lord’s Table on the Sunday morning. It was a family occasion, boys and girls on farms or in service would come home for the feast.
Along with the services came booths with sweetmeats etc and dancing in the churchyard and on the village green!
The dancing was replaced with a funfair on the Recreation Ground (Central Park) and Feast Monday was a half day holiday and the Church held a Feast Tea, usually in the vicarage garden often combined with a sale of work.
The traditional meal for the feast was roast duck and green peas, washed down with homemade cowslip or parsnip wine.
For many years Holland’s was the fair to visit Syston and in later years the fair was set up in High Street in the field between Turn Street and the railway line, on the St Peters football ground (now Millers Close) and also on East Avenue on the Dog Track field.
We have now come full circle as the fair is now back on the Central Park but in September, not July.
The picture above of about a hundred years ago shows Syston ladies on the Recreation Ground, the nearest sign on the marquee reads ‘Ye ancient rite of ye pastrie cookes’ and the legible part of the other sign reads Syston Feast… The Symphony… Wednesday…

St Peter and St Paul Church News

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:03:29 +0000

Ladies Guild
A recent meeting saw us visit the Masonic Hall on Broad Street.
We were welcomed by Mr Grant and taken into the temple which is 100 years old.
He explained the rules and regulations and also told us about the vast amount of charity work they do in this country and abroad.
We ended the evening with a drink and cake, a very interesting and informative evening.
On Monday 24th May Anne Hughes spoke to us about Reflexology, which is a system of massage of points of the foot used to relieve tension and treat illness.
A fascinating evening ending with our usual refreshments
Sheila Borderick

Team Service
This time the Fosse Team celebrated Trinity Sunday together at Thrussington. Afterwards everyone went to the home of Reverend Lorna to enjoy refreshments in her garden. Rather a blustery morning but out of the wind and in the sun time to catch up with friends from other churches in the team.

Damage
Passers by may have noticed that someone has ‘had a go’ at the church porch roof. No desperately serious damage but a bill for nearly £400 for the church to find.

Bank Holiday Weekend
What a special time this was for two church families.
First on Saturday Dennis and Cathie Powell celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends by renewing their vows in a special service in church followed by a party.
On Sunday David and Judith Booton saw their daughter Sarah marry Ben Wilkinson. As Ben is from Australia there was a delightful mix of people from the two countries.

Eleven30
The service continues on a weekly basis. The families have heard how the disciples received the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire, so while the children made themselves a fiery headdress, the adults enjoyed the usual refreshments.
There will not be any eleven30 services during August. We restart on 5th September.

Syston Methodist Church Monday Night Ladies Raise £800 For Local Playgroup.

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:01:53 +0000

On Monday 26th April the Syston Methodist Ladies meeting presented a cheque £800 to Deborah Hoggar of the Birstall Playgroup for children with special needs. The ladies had raised this amount through various events across the year. One of the group’s members, Irene Mason, has volunteered at the playgroup since she and her husband, the Rev. Ian Mason, arrived in Leicestershire around 10 years ago. Ian has also supported the group by chairing the management committee.
Birstall Playgroup for children with special needs has been very much needed and always well used for 39 years. The playgroup was started by a Mum of a child with downs’ syndrome who still helps at the group today. Twice each week during term time, the group provides a warm, stimulating place for children to come and play. Parents who are concerned that their children aren’t meeting the expected developmental milestones can come along and see whether the playgroup suits them and their child, without needing a formal referral from a health care professional.
We meet in the hall at Birstall Methodist Church, on Wanlip Lane in Birstall and children from all over the County and the City attend. Presently we have 20 children who will come on a Monday or a Friday morning or both. The church also provides a coffee shop on site on a Friday, which has become a life line for the Parents and Carers of the children who take the opportunity to get together for a chat and a?coffee whilst the children play next door.
The mission at the group is to ensure that all the children enjoy messy play, imaginative play, creative play and constructive play. They want to help the parents and carers to enjoy their children and share their achievements and successes. There doesn’t seem to be anything too profound about that given that they are a pre-school playgroup! However for a lot of the children that requires a one to one carer, because of their physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, learning disabilities or because of their degree of autism. If they were required to pay all their helpers, nobody could afford them! The beauty and uniqueness of playgroup is that there is one paid leader and one paid deputy leader, the rest of the helpers give their time voluntarily. If they have pre-school children they bring them too. The end result is a busy, diverse mix of children wide ranging in their skills and abilities learning from each other. Parents and carers quickly find the confidence to begin leaving them, often for the very first time with friendly understanding people in a safe environment.
Although the playgroup receives support from the BBC Children in Need Appeal, they do not receive any statutory funding and depend on the sort of generous donations that groups like the Syston Ladies group have managed to raise. Deborah said “We were absolutely amazed by the size of the cheque. We knew that the group had chosen us as their fund raising project this year but had no idea that it would be such a large sum. We are extremely grateful and will spend it carefully.”
They intend to buy some specialised toys and aids to help all the children to participate in the play. The ladies were shown how to sign a greeting that the group use to start their sessions. This was an insight into how simple measures can make a world of difference to both children, parents and carers.

Syston Methodist Church Spring Fayre

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:01:41 +0000

On Saturday 1st May a bright and sunny morning the Methodist Church held their annual Spring Fayre in the church hall. A variety of stalls including plants, hand made crafts, wood turned items, bric-a-brac, books, videos and DVDs. The home made cake stall as always sold out very quickly and lots of people enjoyed a refreshing cuppa and either a bacon roll or cake. Our picture shows Doreen Pearce and Bob Fitch, who were selling raffle tickets at the door.
The amount raised on the day was £850 which will be divided between the church and Macmillan Nurses.

St Peter and St Paul Church News

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:01:18 +0000

Ladies Guild
On Monday 26th April we enjoyed a London Shopping Trip with one of our speakers Graham Fortey.
With the aid of old receipts, envelopes and post cards we visited a lot of large stores in central London, learning about their origins and the goods they sold.
An interesting talk which kept all of us amused.
Sheila Borderick
Coffee morning in Oriel Drive
Despite some of the worst weather imaginable for May a good crowd of people made their way to the home of Anne and Joanne Kemp. A fully stocked plant stall did a roaring trade and the Tombola quickly sold out! Sadly no one was able to sit outside so a friendly crowd enjoyed the company indoors and bought the many home made cakes and raffle tickets.
A wonderful total of £718.50 was raised towards the Clock Restoration Project at the church.
Well done to the Kemp and Evatt clan!
Christian Aid Coffee Morning
This was held on 8th May that dire wet and cold morning. The venue was the Methodist Church Centre, at least a warm and friendly place. A steady stream of people enjoyed the refreshments, the cake stall, plants and Fair Trade stalls. A total of £230 will be added to the town total once all the envelopes have been collected and the money counted.
Eleven30
This continues every Sunday at 11.30am. The group is looking forward to joining once again with the 10.00am service when the Bishop of Leicester will lead a combined service at 10.30am as part of the Patronal Festival celebrations.

St Peter and St Paul Church News April 2010

admin — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:01:47 +0000

Ladies Guild
On 22nd March we joined with the Methodist Ladies for our Lent meeting.
Rev Liz Angell spoke to us about her life.
Born in Devon, brought up in an Anglican family and singing in the choir from an early age. She told us about her mission work in Africa and her work with Tear Fund.
After two years in Theological College when she finished her training she finished up as Curate in Syston.
An interesting and thought provoking evening.
Sheila Borderick
Eleven30
Palm Sunday saw the children processing and singing round the church waving ‘palms’ they had cut out before the service. They heard the story of Jesus arrival in Jerusalem not like a king in a golden carriage and wearing special robes but as a humble, poor man riding on a donkey.
After the service everyone enjoyed refreshments and the children decorated a flag to take home. See picture below.
Easter
Saturday morning before Easter Day the church was a hive of industry as the flower arrangers got to work to once more transform our lovely building ready for the great festivities to follow. At the same time a group of people cleaned the church from top to bottom. At one o’clock almost everyone had gone and the few of us left stood at the back and relished the silence. It was almost as if the building was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.
Sunday 10am service was truly one of celebration as the church was packed with young and old to sing praises to the Risen Lord.
Lent Lunches
Well done to all who made and served soup during Lent, also those who ate them!
A record £495.10 was raised which will go to Tear Fund this year’s charity
Churches Together in Syston
Christian Aid Week 9th to 16th May
Envelopes will be delivered and collected by volunteers in as many streets as possible in Syston during this week.
On 15th May there will be a Coffee Morning in the Methodist Church Centre from 10.00am 12.00 noon. There will be stalls including cakes, plants and bric a brac, and a Fair Trade stall.
Coffee Morning
The Evatt Family are having a Coffee Morning at the home of Anne & Joanne Kemp, 6 Oriel Drive, Syston, on Saturday 8th May from 10.00am until 12.00noon.
Stalls include Cakes, Plants, Tombola. There will also be a raffle.
Proceeds will go towards the Clock Restoration Fund.
Picture shows the children trying out their flags.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church News

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:12:17 +0000

Ladies Guild
On 22nd February Mr Hames, a retired warden, spoke to us about his work in Bradgate Park.
As he was walking around his patch he began to whittle away at sticks to make walking canes. He showed us examples with handles being carved into animals or simple stag horns.
They are a real work of art.
He was commissioned to make two for the Queen when she came to Leicester in 1980.
A fascinating evening enjoyed by all.
Sheila Borderick
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Members of all the churches in Syston gathered in the Methodist Church to join in with a service created by the women of the Cameroon. Representatives from each of the churches led the service and afterwards enjoyed the refreshments provided by the Methodist church in the Church Centre.
Lent Lunches
These have continued each Wednesday from 12.15pm to 1.15pm in the Methodist Church Centre. Volunteers have made delicious home made soups, which have been really enjoyed by all who came.
Lent Courses
Members of the Churches Together in Syston and members of the Fosse Team have been following a Lent Course in some members’ houses. These have involved Bible readings, prayers and discussion and have used short extracts of Billy Elliot!
Mothering Sunday
The combined congregations from 10.00am and eleven30 met at 10.30am to celebrate Mothering Sunday. The service was lively and happy with many young families joining older members. In fact the ages ranged from a few months to 100! Afterwards everyone went to the Church Centre for refreshments and an opportunity for the children to make a fridge magnet and decorate a tea towel.

St Peter & St Paul Church News for March 2010

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:01:07 +0000

Team Service
What a splendid occasion this was. We waited and received candles, which were lit before we processed in to pack St Hildas. Afterwards no one rushed away as we enjoyed the refreshments and fellowship.
Ladies Guild
Sadly our first meeting in January had to be cancelled due to the bad weather.
On 25th January Mike Davey spoke to us about his suburban garden through the year. We saw slides of flowers, shrubs and trees. An interesting talk which we enjoyed.
Sheila Borderick.
Quiz Night
The hall was absolutely packed for this event! And what an evening it was as Terry Farmer asked the questions and the heads went down to discuss the possible answers. With so many tables close together the discussions had to be very careful!
Halfway through, the quiz paused to allow the contestants to enjoy a hot meal of faggots, sausages, baked beans, mushy peas and mash, followed by an enormous selection of sweets most of which had been donated. While the totals were added at the end the raffle was drawn. Once again most of the prizes were donated. The triumphant team was from Barkby. Congratulations to them.
A most magnificent total of £704.50 was raised.
Shelter
The total collection for SHELTER over Advent, Christmas and the New Year amounted to £414.04. This was made up as envelopes and donations £281.60 and Carol Service £132.44. A magnificent effort from you all, thank you very much! A cheque has been sent to SHELTER towards their Christmas Appeal.
David Fox, SHELTER rep.
Eleven30
This family friendly service continues to meet every Sunday now, with songs, prayers and Bible stories with activities for the children, followed by refreshments.
Mothering Sunday
Once again there will be a combined service at 10.30am. This will be a family friendly Parish Eucharist to which everyone is welcome. It will include the distribution of flowers and be followed by refreshments.

Picture shows the activities enjoyed at
the Eleven30 service.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church News for February

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:10:07 +0000

Ladies Guild
On Monday 23rd November the Guild joined the ladies at the Methodist Church Hall for a talk by Anne Hughes with songs, poems and stories. Anne kept us amused with her version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. We closed with a drink and biscuits. An enjoyable evening was had by all.
The Ratcliffe Chorale entertained us on Monday 14th December with music, recitations and John Rutter’s version of Wind in the Willows. In spite of the terrible weather a large number of people came and afterwards enjoyed drinks and mince pies in the Church Centre where a raffle took place. A total of £662 for the Premature Baby Unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary was raised.
Sheila Borderick

Christmas Celebrations
Christmas Eve
In the morning the hand bell ringers braved the piercing cold to return to the Town Square where they had played the previous Saturday. Once again the people of Syston responded generously to our collecting tins. Over the two sessions we raised £116. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Over a hundred people attended the Christingle and Crib Service. Before and during the service the youngsters made their Christingles before circling the church to have them lit and in the darkened church sing the Christingle song. It was magical moment.
The church was packed for the Carol Service where many traditional carols were sung as well as some new ones. The choir sang two songs and young Tyson and Charlotte, the soloists, captivated the congregation with their singing. The hand bell ringers also took part, some of the children present were transfixed by the sound!
Later the Midnight Mass heralded the birth of Jesus Christ. What a joy to be able to sing “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning” just after midnight.
Christmas Morning
The bells rang out and the congregation sang out the Good news of Jesus’ birth.
All this took place in a church beautifully transformed with every space full of flowers.
Christmas Bazaar
The room buzzed with anticipation as we opened for business and a steady stream of customers came in. Throughout the time there was a happy atmosphere as we sought to part the customers from their money! There were a variety of stalls with the cakes and Christmas decorations being very popular, as was guessing the dog’s birthday. The tombolas did a brisk trade and the craft stalls did well.
In the kitchen the gang did a great job of providing all day snacks and plenty of tea and coffee. The result was that we raised over £1100.
Eleven30
This now occurs every week at 11.30am. The pattern continues as before with a Bible story, prayers and songs. There is always an activity for the children and refreshments for everyone. Despite the appalling weather there has always been a group of adults and young people enjoying the stories and fellowship.

Clean Sweep Initiative Wages War On Litter

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:10:07 +0000

Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing tenants can look forward to cleaner streets following the introduction of a clean sweep initiative.
CNH will be working in partnership with Charnwood Borough Council and its street cleaning contractor, Serco, to ensure the public areas of CNH managed property are kept spick and span.
Under the terms of the new contract each area included has been assessed under new standards of service, so a new and better service can be delivered. Under previous contracts, services were delivered based on the number of times an area was cleaned, rather than the final appearance to the public.
As part of the set-up process for the new contract, Serco will be working hard to carry out a ‘deep clean’ of all of these areas to get them up to an acceptable standard, and it will then continue working to keep the areas clean.
Under the new contract, cleanliness of land will be monitored to ensure it is kept at an acceptable level of cleanliness. A team of officers, assisted by tenant representatives, are now being trained to ensure that these new standards are maintained and any lapses are reported.
A number of residential areas have already been targeted, with more deep cleaning to be carried out over the coming months.
As areas are cleaned, a leaflet is dropped through the letter box of local properties to let them know what’s happening, and to give advice on how to deal with their waste responsibly.
Cllr Mike Preston, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “By deep cleaning the areas of housing land, and then working to keep them clean, we will be making a real difference to council tenants’ quality of life.
“Creating a better living environment this will help to create a sense of ownership and pride for local areas, so encouraging residents to keep their streets clean. This work has already started to make a difference, and will continue to do so as our street cleaners work their way through their programme of cleaning.”
Isobel Rickard, CNH’s Director of Housing Operations, said: “We are glad to be working in partnership with the Council and Serco. The move to a cleaning contract that guarantees minimum levels of service represents a significant improvement in the appearance of the areas which we mange for the Council. This contract, together with the new standards for grounds maintenance which came into effect on 1st December, will be a giant leap forward in value for money for the tenants and leaseholders.”
Whilst Serco is busy cleaning up the council’s residential areas, it is also hard at work keeping the rest of the borough clean. With the start of the new Environmental Services contract on 1st August came changes to the way the streets are cleaned. Previously, streets were cleaned to a set schedule, making systems inflexible when emergency clean-ups were needed.
Now, cleaning is carried out to maintain a certain standard, and streets are cleaned as often as necessary to keep them at that acceptable level of cleanliness.
For more information on how the streets of Charnwood are kept clean, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk, or for information on Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing, please visit www.cnh.org.uk.