Out and about in Malpas and beyond

Malpas

Christmas Fun

Christmas celebrations got off to a good start on Saturday, November 25 with a Christmas Grotto and Christmas Market at the Jubilee Hall, and many street stalls in High Street.

This was followed by the switching on of the Christmas Lights and a Carol Service at St Oswald’s Church, led by the Rector, Canon Ian Davenport.

He thanked many people for making the day a great success, including Chris Whitehurst, Martin Shackleton, Ruth Shackleton, Mark Holden and his colleagues from Barlow’s who had put up the lights plus Paul and Tony Williams for the use of ladders.

Others included Nigel Owen who had given coffee to the people putting up the lights and over decorations, Rob Huxley for the mince pies, Gray Sherlock of The Crown for providing the mulled wine, all the business and house owners for allowing decorations and lights to be attached to their premises, as well as Ben Kellet and his team of Church Bell Ringers.

Plenty more were given thanks including to those who came to the day dressed up.

Church news

On Sunday November 26, the Rector of Malpas, Canon Ian Davenport was preaching at The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace as part of his role as a Chaplain to The Queen.

Therefore, Canon Peter Lee led all his services at St Oswald’s Church, Malpas and Holy Trinity, Bickerton.

This Sunday, the first of Advent, there is Communion at 8am and 11am at St Oswald’s. There is a 9.30am Parish Communion at St John’s Church, Threapwood and an 11am Communion at Holy Trinity.

On Friday December 8 at 7.30pm there is a Concert for Chester Aid to The Homeless by (CATH) Malpas Ladies Choir with Soloists from Abbeygate College at All Saints Church, Hoole, Chester.

The £10 tickets include a glass of wine and are available from CATH on 01244 314834 or 07900978945 or email james.haughton@cath.orh.uk.

The Tuesday Evening Communions at St Oswald’s have stopped for the winter months due to the weather and the dark nights and a cold church.

CATH would like to thank anyone who recently donated tinned goods and food, and are now appealing for clothing.

To help remember the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War St Oswald’s will be decorated with hundreds of red poppies in November 1918.

Volunteers are sought for people who can knit or crochet. Patterns are available for both methods. Further details are available for Janet Blake on 01948 860359.

Cross

The Malpas Cross was recently given a clean up courtesy of four members of the parish council this week.

Chair person Katie Norris and councillors John Bickley, Sarah Thomas, and Chris Whitehurst spent two hours cleaning the iconic monument, eventually filling a green wheelie bin with weeds and debris.

The reason for the accumulation of weeds appears to be a deterioration of the mortar between the sandstone blocks, and this will mean that further work on “pointing” will need to take place.

However a quick glance shows how the appearance of the monument has been improved.

Youth Theatre

The Malpas Youth Theatre will be performing in Chester for The Alternative Christmas Stocking at Festival Church in Queen Street.

The show is on December 9 between 2-4pm and is free for the family, while there is a Christmas raffle and tombola.

Wrenbury

Wingate Winter Wonderland

Wrenbury’s Wingate Centre will be holding its biggest ‘Winter Wonderland’ yet on Saturday, December 9

If you know a little one who would like to pose for a photo with Elsa (and get a signed Christmas card to take home), take a peek at Santa’s sleigh, meet their Christmas donkey, decorate a gingerbread man to take home, meet a baby barn owl, take part in some festive face-painting or visit Santa in the Wingate Grotto, all in aid of a brilliant cause, then you are welcome.

There are also the usual table-top sales, tombola’s, stall-holders and festive goodies to sample and a grand Christmas raffle will be drawn, by Elsa, at 12.30pm.

For more information about The Wingate Centre online or on Facebook.