St Peter’s Church Lead Appeal update 1st September

=======The total is smashed!=======

If you were in Alstonefield this bank holiday weekend, you’d have seen Paul & Maureen cooking hamburgers, hot dogs and bacon baps and Jean and Ernie’s gardens buzzing with villagers and visitors consuming  hundreds of teas, coffees, cakes and strawberry cream teas.    Enduring memories are of Mary and Nora eating their very first burgers and a coach load of very lubricated and hungry cricketers from Clifton on a stag do.  Business was so good that extra stock had to be sent for and villagers freezers were emptied!  Over the 3 days, together with their tireless helpers, they made an amazing £1,455.71.

As stated at the launch, the extra money raised will be dedicated to putting water into the Church to preserve its sustainability.  In order to celebrate this achievement, the church bells will be rung for an hour before the Evening Service this Sunday, 5th Sept.

St Peter’s PCC cannot thank you all enough for your generosity and support. 

Cakes Fly at the Show

Many thanks to Ann Colclough and her helpers pictured in the photo, and to everyone who made hundreds of cakes.  The stall looked fantastic and every single cake was sold by mid-afternoon.  They made an amazing £610 in aid of the lead appeal.  Pictured (l-r) Denise, Notty, Sylvia and Ann.

Tideswell Male Voice Choir to perform in Alstonefield – Saturday 18th September

Major concerts in the Buxton Opera House, with top-class per­for­mers includ­ing Aled Jones and the world-famous girls’ choir Cantamus, have estab­lished this choir as a pro­fes­sional-stan­dard producer of high-quality, spec­tac­ular enter­tain­ment. The Tideswell Male Voice Choir comes to Alstonefield on Saturday 18th September 2010 and will perform a selection of traditional and modern music at St. Peter’s Church  including ‘Unchained Melody’ and ‘Wonderful World’.  Tickets can be obtained from the Post Office or by telephoning Cathy or John on 310125.  Adults £8, Children £3,   Family Ticket £16  (2 adults & 2 children up to age 16).  All tickets to include a glass of wine or soft drink.  Full programme information will be published on the Concert Programme page when available.

Gargoyles Scale New Heights

Smashing their previous run scoring record, Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club achieved a convincing 86 run victory over Oakamoor last Sunday.. more……….

Scrap Turns to Gold

A staggering total of £ 571.00 was raised from the Scrap Collection on Saturday 21st August.  An amazing effort was made by the people of the parish in donating their scrap.  Special thanks must go to Mr D. Salt of Milldale who offered to collect  Milldale’s scrap using his vehicle.  Inca Metals of Ashbourne were incredible.  Not only did they have to make three trips to Ashbourne laden with metal, but he gave us the best possible price for the scrap.

Below is a quick break down of what we received for the different types of scrap.

Lead Batteries £37.05  Lead £63.18  Stainless Steel £40.95  Copper £86.82  Steels £211.70  Aluminum £ 12.73  Brass £ 118.55

Not only have you raised funds for the church lead appeal, but we have cleaned up the environment.  Many Thanks.

Moorlands Connect – Your New Bus Service from 6th September

Moorlands Connect is the new bookable bus service for the Moorlands Area which will commence on 6th September 2010. The bus can carry up to 4 bikes and has a ramp. Most importantly, this service will now run directly to Ashbourne & Leek on market days. If you plan to use the service regularly, we suggest that you register now on 0300 111 8003. Leaflets have been placed in the rack in Alstonefield village hall foyer giving more information.  The service will be officially launched in Longnor on Wednesday 25th August between 1.30pm and 3.00pm should you wish to see the mini-coaches and ask any questions.  For more information please visit www.moorlandsconnect.info

Manifold Show 2010

Another superb turnout for this year’s Manifold Show at the Castern Hall, Ilam, showground. Alstonefield winners included Hannah Wood (Junior Champion – horseriding) and Brian Ross in the Handicraft Section (photography).  Village dogs Bertie & Nell also won prizes in their classes. More photos will be posted on the Manifold Show page.

Gargoyles go to Town Again

The Gargoyles chalk up a notable victory in Ashbourne – click for match report – and again at home against Wooton.  The new net is obviously working.  Read also the report from Clifton.

The Leaden Boot

Read more about the new “Leaden Boot” challenge walk on the fundraising page

Alstonefield Striders

Great runs from the Striders – Venue Parwich – Tuesday 3rd August 2010.  Peter Linleyagain ran a tremendous race just being edged into second place.  Well Done Peter, keep up the good work.  We had great runs in the senior race from Sue Purvis, Dot Griffin and Tony Gibbon, running against many seasoned club runners – Well Done to them.  Bring on the Ashbourne half marathon and the Dovedale Dash!

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Tara and the Three Peaks!!

Hello everyone,
I would like you all to know that myself and a few other parents from Ilamschool plan to do a charity climb of the three highest peaks in Great Britain; Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell in England and Snowdon in Wales. We hope to be able to climb these mountains and travel between them all in the short time of 24 hours
We are putting ourselves through this ordeal to raise money for laptop computers for the children of Ilam School,(where several of the children from Alstonefield attend.)
Please help and support our future generations by sponsoring our attempt at this challenge.
Donations can be made by following the following link:  www.justgiving.com/ilam3peaks

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
p.s if you see me hobling around its the training blisters!!!

New Practice Net for Cricket Club

Another step forward in the development of Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club was achieved on Friday 2^ndJuly, with the official opening of the new mobile practice net by StaffordshireCounty Councillor Gill Heath. With grant funding from the StaffordshireLocal Community Fundof £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 parishioners through a stimulating history tour of the church and churchyard.  John pointed out architectural details and interesting artifacts, 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 parishioners 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 heartfelt ‘ 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 candlelight 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 trouble-free get away in the vanguard of the mammothentry – 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 Alstonefieldrunner 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.

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.