New Challenge Walk for Alstonefield

A new 26 mile “marathon” challenge walk is being considered to help local charities.  Project leader, Noel Peat is keen to help raise money for St Peter’s lead appeal and hopes this will tempt walkers from across Britain to sample the Peaks of Alstonefield.  Noel, a member of the LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association), is using their expertise in organising challenge walks to advise on publicity and safety.  The route will be planned to start and finish in Alstonefield.  If successful, this will become an annual event similar to the White Peak Rollercoaster and Dovedale Dipper.

Church Alarm Foils Further Lead Theft

The alarm works!  Police confirm that on 19th July at midnight, thieves attempted to take more lead from our church roof.  It seems the alarm scared them off empty handed.  Unfortunately the Forensics Officer could not retrieve any finger prints as it seems the theives were wearing gloves.  But the good news is that the alarm has already paid for itself by preventing a further theft.

There are many fundraising inititiatives now in place see Fund Raising Events

GARGOYLES SEND TOURISTS PACKING

Alstonefield Cricket Club gained revenge for last year’s defeat with a convincing five wicket victory over the Pitts-Tucker Touring XI on Sunday, thanks to a marvellous all round performance by Amrit Singh, playing in his first home match for the club.      ……more

St Peter’s Church Lead Appeal update 25th July

The PCC is very pleased to announce that this week you have raised £320. This was all from personal giving.  The total raised in just four weeks is £6,020.77.

Reminder – Order your lead pieces for a lasting momento – by 28th July from Carrie – see the ‘Make your Mark for Posterity’ item further down this page.

The following fundraisers are now in place – all in aid of the Lead Appeal

Any old iron:  Richard Allen wants your old scrap metal for a collection during August.

Manifold Show Cake Stall 14th August:  Ann Colclough would like you to bake a cake for her stall

29th August BBQ and teas outside the Old Post Office:  offers of help and cakes to Paul Binfield.

12th February 2010 Celidh – see Val Collier or Carrie Ross for offers of help, but please put it in your calendar!

Please see the forum for other ideas.

GARGOYLES CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS

In front of a big crowd in a delightful setting, Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club pulled off an epic victory against a strong Oakamoor XI on Sunday.           ……more

St Peter’s Church Lead Appeal update – Make your Mark for Posterity

The new alarm is in place, and the roof will be repaired during the first two weeks of August.  After negotiations with the contractors, the PCC would like to extend a very special invitation to all who have so generously donated, to engrave your own piece of lead to be fixed on the roof.   We can offer off-cuts of lead at cost price, no VAT and no labour charge.

There are 2 sizes:  postcard size at £2,50 and A4 size at £5,50.

You need to order your offcut by 28th July in order for the contractors to have them cut.  Then pick up the lead on 2nd August, engrave it and return it in that week for the contractors to fix it in place.  Brian will then take a photographic record to show you where your piece is placed.

So why not commemorate a loved one, or take a beloved child’s handprint, or simply carve your initials.  Please let everyone know as there has been no time to put this in the newsletter.  And please remember to give your order to Carrie Ross at Beech Cottage no later than Wednesday, 28th July.

Fundraising ideas – in aid of the Lead Appeal

Please take time to read the forum.  Many kind people are giving their time and energy to help us reach our target.  their ideas are published on the forum.  Please support them however you can.

New Practice Net for Cricket Club

Another step forward in the development of Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club was achieved on Friday 2^nd July, with the official opening of the new mobile practice net by Staffordshire County Councillor Gill Heath. With grant funding from the Staffordshire Local Community Fund of £1,000 being added to their own fund raising efforts, the club has been able to invest in this important practice facility.         ……..more

Wakes Weekend – 2010

Sunday 27th June

John Reavy guided 23 parishoners through a stimulating history tour of the church and churchyard.  John pointed out architectural details and interesting artefacts, including parts of Saxon crosses, dating back to 850 AD. The tour was followed by tea and a brief slide show of the skeletons uncovered during the Rainwater project.

Later, In glorious sunshine, local families followed the Warslow Silver Band as they processed from the Village Hall to the George Green. Rev Arthur Hack admirably filled in for our ill vicar, Anne Ballard.

Nearly 80 people enjoyed the open air service on the green with customers from the George joining in the hearty hymn singing.  At the end of the service, John Reavy announced that after just one week of the Lead Appeal, with personal giving by generous parishoners and £375 from the Cricket Club, we have raised £1,050.

After the service, the band continued to play popular tunes as children played and s enjoyed a glass of wine and cheese toasties!  The band generously refused their fee, preferring to donate it to the Lead Appeal.

A hearftelt ‘ Thank you’ from St Peter’s PCC.  A blessed and glorious weekend was had by all.

Click here to see over 100 photos of the weekend,  and why not tell us what you thought of the weekend on the Forum

Saturday 26th June

The playing field came alive on Saturday afternoon with happy faces, excited children and great games & races  for the start of Wakes weekend.  The children entered the races with an abundance of enthusiasm, relishing both the taking part and an element of competition – they were all winners!   The afternoon ‘hotted up’ with the s’ races – we saw Ernie Allen & John Reavy make a brave attempt in the ‘three-legged race’ against stiffer and younger competition – and the tug-of-war, so nearly won by the ladies, went to the gentlemen in the end, but only after a number of  extras  joined the team when they were looking like losing!

A quick change and the festivities moved to the Street Party.  For Thomas and Peter Linley, the transformation was incredible and they won joint 1st prize in the fancy dress competition as ‘Tweedledee & Tweedledum’.  But all the children entered into the spirit of the day with fantastic ‘Mad Hatter Tea Party’ costumes.

Over 110 people partook in a fabulous buffet on a lovely summer’s evening under the village bunting. A rain shower later in the evening didn’t succeed in dampening our spirits, and those who moved under the trees celebrated by candelight into the night.

Well done Sue!

Barely twelve months since discovering a dormant enthusiasm for running, following the formation of Alstonefield Striders running group,

Sue Lovatt accepted quite a challenge on Sunday 20th June, when she took part in the hugely popular, Race for Life charity race, in Tatton Park, near Knutsford.

Making a first-time entry, away from the usual comforting company of fellow Striders, Sue set herself the target of completing the 10 kilometre race within an hour – 10k, for those more used to old money, equals no less than 6.25 miles. Positioning herself up on the start line, to ensure a troublefree get away in the vanguard of the mammoth entry – she was wearing an 800+ number! – Sue set herself a steady pace from the off, at 10.30am. The undulating course, around the lovely estate land of Tatton Park, soon saw the field well strung out, but the Alstonefield runner kept the leaders in sight, to pass beneath the finishing banner in exactly 57min 45secs, thus easily achieving her aim. When we learn that 3,471 folk took part (not all runners, some jogging, others walking) that was some achievement.

Sue and husband David had garnered sponsorship in advance from friends and neighbours and Cancer Research UK will benefit too from this fine effort.

Musical Theatre at St. Peter’s

We expected a choir, but what we did NOT expect was such a brilliant display of musical theatre from the Wallingford Children’s Chamber Choir on Saturday 5th June. Magnificently co-ordinated and choreographed by Sue Ledger, the choir’s performance was extremely impressive, involving nearly all the children in solo renditions and even in conducting their fellow singers.  As soon as the evening began, with the children placed around the church singing ‘Amazing Grace’, we knew we were in for a treat. Nearly all the songs involved actions, but the children surpassed themselves with their acting and singing skills in favourites from ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Oliver’. Thank you, Wallingford, for a super night.

Staffordshire Moorlands Community & Voluntary Services – In Touch

A package of preventive services which can be provided to older people in their own homes have been launched to provide help with… transport, health, safety, state benefits, etc. .. for residents aged 60 years and over.  Reply cards are available for anyone interested, please telephone 310146 , or alternatively contact SMCVS on 01538 398689.

Moorlands Connect ‘Gold Bus’ Service from September

A new bus service called ‘Moorlands Connect’ will be launched on 6th September 2010.  Operating between Monday and Saturday around six community ‘hubs’ including, Leek, Hartington & Longnor,  the service will offer connections to existing routes such as the 442 Ashbourne to Buxton route. The current services from Alstonefield will change as a result. Please see the Transport page for more information.