Easter is more than just Easter eggs: Noah Axcell, aged seven, gets a ground level view of the Easter garden in St James’ church, Taxal, remembering the crucifixion and the resurrection
Here is a round-up of events planned over the Easter period.
An invitation to celebrate at these Easter services
Easter is the most significant day in the Church’s year as it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Services locally include:
PARISH of WHALEY BRIDGE Cof E Holy Trinity, Buxton Road, St James’, Taxal
Maundy Thursday, Holy Trinity, Seder Meal 6.30pm, Eucharist and stripping the altar 8.15pm. vigil until 10pm.
Good Friday, Holy Trinity 10am, joint service with Uniting Church, Laying our burden down.
Good Friday, St James’ 2pm, Last hour of the cross.
EasterSunday, both services at St James’: 8am, Eucharist, 10,30am, Easter Eucharist
UNITING CHURCH, Buxton Road, Whaley Bridge, Fernilee and Kettleshulme
Good Friday, 10am, joint service with Anglicans at Holy Trinity church
Easter Sunday. Uniting Church, Whaley Bridge, communion 9am and morning worship, 10.30 am
Fernilee church and Kettleshulme church, afternoon worship, both at 2,30 pm
THE SACRED HEART, Roman Catholic, Whaley Lane
Maundy Thursday, 7.30pm: The Last Supper
Good Friday, 3pm onwards, the crucifixion
Holy Saturday, 8.30pm, the vigil starting outside the Sacred Heart at sunset, then lighting candles in the darkened church
EasterEaster Sunday, 9.30am mass at Disley; 11am, mass at Sacred Heart.
‘Grandad Christmas’ drops in for Easter Saturday
Whaley Bridge will have an Easter Saturday treat to remember: from 10am-12noon, there will be entertainment in the station waiting room. Ralph Smethurst – described as ‘entertainer and raconteur’ – will be telling stories, jokes, singing a folk song or two and he’s working on a sort of love story, with an Irish connection, a goat and a railway line!
Ralph, 65, is a familiar sight in Whaley Bridge with his flowing hair and beard, looking for all the world like Santa Claus. He came here in 2003 when he first got his boat, and decided to stay, moored up on the canal. He has six grandchildren, one of whom calls him Grandad Christmas.
Local writer Gillian Mawson will be reading excerpts from her published book on the wartime Guernsey evacuation to Stockport and the High Peak. Other members of Footsteps Pen Club will be reading from their work.
Admission is free but donations will welcome to support the work of their drop-in centre, Footsteps, 14 Market Street.
One man and his dog: Ralph Smethust and Sox, his part collie pet
Easter eggs hunt for canal clean up volunteers
Volunteers who keep the canal basin at Whaley Bridge neat and tidy are in for a reward on Easter Sunday. Easter eggs will be hidden in their work areas – finder’s, keepers! The group will also be planting 30 trees near the basin
Neville Clarke, chair of the volunteer team which supports the Canal and River Trust,, is hoping for better weather than last year’s egg hunt, when it snowed. He said: “Hey, free chocolate – and you’re doing something good for Whaley with fun people. Bring the kids and have an enjoyable afternoon.”
If you want to join, assemble at the canal basin at 12 noon on Easter Day. The session runs until 3pm. Contact Neville Clarke on 01663 735 284.
See poster below:
