January 2023

Your official monthly newsletter for the Pendle villages of Barley, Newchurch, Roughlee, Sabden Fold & Spenbrook.

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From the new Editor

As Parish News enters its 20th year, our old friend begins a new chapter

Happy New Year, and welcome to the new-look Parish News!

Back in 2003, Editor James Starkie evolved the Parish News into a booklet format, and a network of volunteers distributed it through every letterbox in the area. This continued until mid-2020, when the pandemic made digital distribution the new norm under John Parsons’ editorship. Last year, Lee Hunt did a brilliant job refreshing its design – many thanks to him for all his hard work.

Today, as Parish News embarks upon its 20th year, I begin as the new Editor and am overseeing a further leap in its evolution. My task is to make it easier to …

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The Star of Bethlehem, 1887-1891. Sir Edward Burne-Jones from Birmingham Museums Trust

Vicar’s Letter

Joseph and the Three Gifts

I wonder how many of your Christmas cards showed Joseph amongst the familiar stable scene with the shepherds, wise men and angels? How much do you know about him? What was this man like who became a father to a very special child? What do you know about those Wise Men who brought the gifts to that special child?

The three Wise Men (or kings, or magi if you prefer) brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Church of England celebrates their visit on 6th January each year and/or on the Sunday nearest to the 6th. Carols and hymns are sung and the story is told from the …

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New Year Quiz 2023

How well do you know the local area?

10 puzzling questions about Barley, Goldshaw Booth and Roughlee. Kick-start your brain ready for the New Year ahead!
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Barley Village Hall

Barley Parish Council

Football, Stars, Resident Parking, 2022 Highlights...

As we all know, football isn’t “coming home” following England’s defeat by France. I did write in the last issue I thought we could do well if we avoided penalties but it was a missed late penalty in the game that disappointed and so we left Qatar earlier than we had hoped. For the Burnley fans around here, the depression was short lived as the Clarets played the next day and won and went top of the league, but the World Cup wait is another four years.

With Christmas fast approaching we hope you will have noticed the new stars on the Village Hall, they …

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Goldshaw Booth Parish Council

Wintertime can be a time for quiet reflection...

It would be easy for me to recount the Community events of this year, to recall the successes, to tell of how the growing number of residents, the school, Church and Parish Council are working together in support of the Community (and I would if I had the space here), but, for me the growth of Goldshaw Booth Community spirit comes in the form of a tin of biscuits!

At a Parish Council meeting Julie (resident) came along and presented the idea of a Christmas hamper gift for the older and more vulnerable residents of the Parish. This was embraced by the Parish Council and the …

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Friends of Newchurch School

100 club draw

The Friends of Newchurch School 100 Club draw took place for December, the winners are:

  • The special Christmas prize of £50 – number 2, Margaret Hope
  • 1st prize of £25 – number 24, Julie Simpson
  • 2nd prize of £20 – number 33, Thomas Moffatt
  • 3rd prize of £15 – number 61, David Lowcock

Thank you to all who take part in the monthly draw, it is very much appreciated.

Monkey Puzzle tree - Stephen Worrall

Roughlee Parish Council

2022 in review, Dam Head planning, 2023 budget...

The past year, 2022, was a busy one in Roughlee with a number of highs, notably success in the Best Kept Village competition and involvement in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and lows characterised by the loss of several villagers and the death of the Queen.

The year also saw major improvements to the Village Centre and its surrounds and a full programme of events.

December saw a return of the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch with involvement of the children of Roughlee School who gave an entertaining and moving concert. The lunch was prepared and served by volunteers from the village and was greatly enjoyed by over 40 …

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Roughlee Village Centre

2023 dates and Photography Competition, Play Your Cards Right (21st Jan, 7.30pm)....

Roughlee Village Centre’s 2023 calendar of events is now available – get the following dates in your diary:

  • Jan 21st (Sat pm) – Coronation fundraiser – Play Your Cards Right / Singer
  • Feb 25th (Sat pm) – Race Night
  • May 6th (Sat all day) – Coronation Charles III celebration
  • June 2nd-4th (weekend) – Beer & Music Festival
  • June 17th (Sat all day) – Pendle Pub Walk
  • Aug 12th (Sat pm) – Duck Race
  • Oct 29th (Sun all day) – Halloween Festival
  • Nov 11th (Sat pm) – Witch Wines
  • Dec 1st (Fri pm) – Dickens Christmas Fayre
  • Dec 15th-16th (Fri & Sat pm) – Cinderella Panto (tbc)
  • Dec 22nd (Fri pm) – Roughlee Village Christmas Party

RVC Photography …

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malkin morris

Malkin Morris Open Evening

Thinking you might like to get more exercise in the new year?

Malkin Morris is holding a free, no obligation, open evening on Monday 16th January at Roughee Village Centre, 7pm to 9pm. Come and learn a dance and see if you might enjoy keeping fit in such a fun, creative and inexpensive way. The dancing is energetic, enjoyable and includes learning performance skills. No previous experience is required though, of course, always welcomed.

Musicians are also welcomed to join our lively band. Any experience level and any instrument welcomed as long as you can play in G!

Further details from Gin Crewe, familycrewe@hotmail.com / 07887844025, our facebook page or just turn up

The Great Pendle Witch Country Photo Hunt

Raising funds for the British Heart Foundation & Cancer Research UK

Roughlee Village Centre, in conjunction with The Bay Horse Inn Roughlee, invite you to join our new monthly competition with a chance of winning a £20 voucher to spend at the Bay Horse Inn and at the same time supporting two charities which are particularly close to many in the area.

Each month we will post a photograph taken locally. All you have to do is identify where the photograph was taken from by referring to to the grid map (view it here), then deciding where that point is on the map e.g C22, H15 etc.

For the minimum charity contribution of £2 you …

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Events in Barley: January 2023

  • Barley WI – 1st Wed of the month, 7.30pm at Barley Village Hall – a great age span from 20 somethings to 80 somethings so ladies please come along and spend an evening with us and try before you buy
  • Pendle Forest History Group – Wed 18th Jan, 7.30pm at Barley Village Hall – “The Calico Printers of Heyhouses”, a PowerPoint presentation by Brian Jeffery – Members £2.00, Visitors £3.00. Email →
  • Pendle Patchers – Tues 10th & 24th Jan, from 1pm at Barley Village Hall – At the last Pendle Patchers meeting, 6 hardy souls braved the cold and turned up to try to finish projects in time for Christmas, including a couple of quilts, a table runner and decorations. In order to sustain us in our endeavours, we also tucked into mince pies and stollen bites with our brews. And why not, Christmas apparently only comes once a year, even if it feels as if it’s more often. If you would like to join us, come along with any sewing or knitting/crochet project or just for a chat, we’ll be pleased to see you. Good wishes to all for the new year and may your fingers stay nimble. Contact: 01282 602449 / Email →
  • Card making class – 1st and 3rd Mon of each month, 1-3pm at Barley Village Hall – for details contact Valerie on 01282 691850
  • Coffee and Chat – 2nd Wed of each month, 10am-12pm at Barley Village Hall – All welcome, not just the old folk – £2 gets coffee (or tea) and cake!
  • FOG Club – Thurs evenings, 6.30pm-7.45pm at Barley Chapel – Call Angela Hargreaves on 07967 121031 for more information
72 Seasons: 1 - the earth is unyielding

72 Seasons

1-4 January: The Earth Unyields

On the 1 January our year begins with a tough season, where the earth is unyielding. Is the earth frozen around you? Can you stamp on it? Maybe you can notice some ridges or patterns in the hard ground?

Pendle Hill is the home of 72 Seasons, first created as a year-long research project in 2020, designed by Kirsty Rose Parker (founder & director of The Evaluator), to measure how being more connected to nature makes us feel. We do that through working with a team of volunteer seasonal seekers. The seasons agreed now form a very special calendar where the seasons change every 4 or 5 days, originally inspired by the ancient natural calendar in Japan. Have fun looking for the subtle natural changes in the world around you, and at the same time you might just notice a boost in your wellbeing.

72 Seasons is a creative project, which can encourage a deeper connection to nature and improve wellbeing at the same time.

In addition to the seasons profiled each month in Parish News, you can find out more about the project in detail at www.72seasons.co.uk, or follow along on social media and explore the rest of the 72 Seasons: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

St. Mary's Church

Our Parish Church exists to be the people of God, through faith in Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, worshipping Him, making disciples and serving others.

Services in January 2023

  • Sun 1st Jan – NO service at St Mary’s – 11am Said Holy Communion at St Thomas Barrowford
  • Sun 8th Jan 9.30am – Holy Communion Service for Epiphany
  • Sun 15th Jan 9.30am – BCP Holy Communion Service
  • Sun 22nd Jan 9.30am – All Age Service
  • Sun 29th Jan 9.30am – Morning Prayer

Contact Revd. Julie Smith for more details on 01282 613206 or by email →