December 2023

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

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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

At a Glance: Dates for Your Diary

Fri 1st Dec, from 3pm – Roughlee Dickensian Christmas Fayre, Roughlee Village Centre
Thurs 7th Dec, from 12pm – Roughlee Seniors’ Christmas Lunch, Roughlee Village Centre
Fri 8th Dec, from 1.30pm – Christmas Fair, Roughlee CE Primary School
Sat 9th Dec, from 5pm – Santa Comes to Goldshaw Booth, Newchurch village square
Sun 10th Dec, from 12pm – Barley Classic Christmas Fayre, Barley Village Hall
Sun 10th Dec, 3pm – Christingle and Crib Service, St. Mary’s Newchurch
Sun 10th Dec, 5.15pm – Barley to Bethlehem, from Barley Car Park
Tues 12th Dec, 1pm – Pendle Patchers Christmas Social, Barley Cabin
Sun 17th Dec, 6pm – Carols by Candlelight, Barley Chapel
Sun 17th Dec, from 7pm – Mulled Wine & Mince Pies, 5 Osbourne Terrace Spenbrook
Wed 20th Dec, 7.30pm – Pendle Forest History Group Christmas Social, Barley Village Hall
Fri 22nd Dec, from 7.30pm – Roughlee Village Christmas Party, Bay Horse Inn
Sun 24th Dec, 10pm – Candlelit First Communion of Christmas, St. Mary’s Newchurch
Mon 25th Dec, 9:30am – Christmas Day Communion Service, St. Mary’s Newchurch
Mon 25th Dec, 10:30am – Christmas Day service, Barley Chapel

Read on for further details…

Vicar’s Letter

St. Mary's Newchurch

Hello! It’s only a few weeks into my time among you as part-time, Interim Vicar of the United Benefice of Barrowford and Newchurch-in-Pendle and already I have received the most fantastic welcome from the congregation and local parishioners.

Although not a complete stranger to the Parish (I spent part of 2017 supporting St Mary’s after the retirement of Canon John Hallows, RIP) it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to get to know the area, its residents, its stories and history more deeply.

Finding my way down narrow country lanes to make wedding and baptism visits, meeting children and staff at our wonderful local schools, engaging with …

[ READ MORE → ]

Barley Parish Council

Classic Christmas Fayre, Lights, Parking, Gritting...

The Barley Remembrance Service was very well attended again with the weather being kind this year, wreaths were laid on behalf of residents by Cllr John Connor, a wreath was laid by Borough Councillor Martyn Stone and our vicar Kathryn Heyworth gave us a reading. The new flagpole gave us chance to fly the “Lest We Forget” flag the few days before Remembrance Sunday and we flew the Union Jack, as designated by government protocol, on the day itself. Most then went back to the Chapel afterwards for tea and scones and a catch-up.

The next big event is the “Barley Classic Christmas Fayre” on …

[ READ MORE → ]

Barley Classic Christmas Fayre

Sunday 10th December

With Santa’s Grotto, carol singing, Christmas lights competition, Barley to Bethlehem and more!

12pm-4pm: Village Hall Christmas Fayre, Christmas craft and gift stalls, refreshments; 4pm: Christmas light switch on and carol singing at the turning circle; 4pm-5pm: Father Christmas village parade and grotto; 5.15pm: Barley to Bethlehem; 6.30pm: Christmas carol karaoke and drinks at the Pendle Inn

Hot food and drinks supplied by the Cabin on the turning circle from 4pm onwards.

Everybody welcome!

Goldshaw Booth Parish Council

BKV, Gardener, Nov events, Santa Comes to Goldshaw Booth...

  • Best Kept Village
    Congratulations to the residents of Sabden Fold who pushed on with the Best Kept Village competition and gained a commendation of 3rd place. Well done!

    Similarly, well done to the residents of Newchurch who helped secure a 5th place commendation for the village. This time next year… Maybe winners?

  • Gardener
    Many thanks to Jill Demaine for her steadfast attention to the gardens of the Parish over recent years. Unfortunately Jill has had to adjust her working commitments and so the Parish is looking for a gardener to start work in the Spring. Please feel free to share this with interested parties and …

    [ READ MORE → ]

Christmas Tree Lights & Father Christmas

Newchurch, December 9th from 5pm

Join us to turn on the Newchurch village Christmas lights, sing a carol or two, whilst enjoying a mulled wine. Then stick around to meet our special guest, Father Christmas himself.

All activities will take place in the centre of Newchurch-in-Pendle, and the event is kindly sponsored by Anthony Dawson Real Estate.

Tombola and refreshments available, tickets for Santa £2.

Roughlee Parish Council

Drains, Trees, 2024 Budget, Village Panto...

Drains and trees have been the issues on the agenda during this otherwise very quiet month of November. Given that Mother Nature in November has blessed us with some persistent if not heavy rain and high winds it is no surprise that many of our drains and gullies have been overwhelmed. Contrary to popular belief the task of maintaining and clearing these is down to Lancashire County Council and not our local Borough Council in Pendle. I think that it is fair to say that LCC do seem to take too long to get around to them (28 days seems to be their target) if …

[ READ MORE → ]

Roughlee Village Centre

Dickensian Christmas Fayre (1st Dec), Christmas Party (22nd Dec), Cinderella Panto (12th-13th Jan)...

  • 1st Dec, from 3pm: Roughlee’s Dickensian Christmas Fayre – A Festive Delight Returns
    As the Christmas season approaches, Roughlee Village Centre is gearing up for a magical celebration with the much-awaited return of the Dickensian Christmas Fayre. This event promises to be filled with festive cheer, so mark your calendars for Friday, December 1st, as the village transforms into a festive wonderland, starting at 3pm. There will be craft and artisan stalls, each offering unique treasures perfect for gifting or indulging yourself. The delicious aromas of hot food and festive beverages will tempt and delight, and Santa will be in his …

    [ READ MORE → ]

Planning Applications

Applications validated in November 2023

For full details, or to comment, please enter the reference number, keyword, postcode or address on the Pendle Borough Council Planning system

Barley with Wheatley Booth parish
Goldshaw Booth parish
Roughlee Booth parish

  • No new applications

Barley Chapel

Barley to Bethlehem & Carols by Candlelight

  • December 10th, 5:15pm – Barley to Bethlehem starting in the village car park. If your child would like to be an angel or shepherd, meet in the chapel at 4:45pm. Costumes provided. Any questions ring Angie 07967 121031.
  • December 17th, 6pm – Carols by Candlelight in Barley Chapel. If you would like to do a reading please contact Angie on 07967 121031.
  • Christmas Day, 10:30am – There will be a short service in Barley Chapel (bring your favourite gift).

Roughlee CE Primary School

Canopy, Christmas Appeal, Christmas Fair (8th Dec)...

  • Canopy
    We are really pleased to have started off this half-term with our beautiful new canopy. The children and parents are extremely happy that there is now some cover from the elements so that the children can play outside at all times whilst keeping warm and dry.
  • Armistice Day
    Our Junior children did a fantastic job representing our school at the Armistice Day Memorial Service by creating some beautifully poignant tributes. On Friday 10th November, we held a two minutes silence with the whole school and were really proud of the respect and empathy that the children showed.
  • Children in Need
    School was full of …

    [ READ MORE → ]

St. Mary’s CE Primary School

Fundraising, Diwali, School Council, Rotakids...

Thank you Friends of Newchurch and Zilpah at EQ Woman for organising the amazing Fashion Show and the continued support of our school. Also thank you to Anthony Dawson Real Estate for sponsoring the event and the Pendle Inn for hosting. So far they have raised £1491!

St Mary’s had a fantastic time raising money for Children in Need, the children and staff came to school in crazy clothes and facepaints. Parents were also invited to join the fun and dress up for Celebration Assembly. In total the school raised £124.69.

The Yr 3 and Yr 4 children have been participating in the school Athletics and have …

[ READ MORE → ]

Friends of Newchurch School

100 club draw

The winners of the Friends Of Newchurch 100 Club Draw for November are:

  • 1st prize £25 – number 17, Amber Nutter
  • 2nd prize £20 – number 73, Moira Mortimer
  • 3rd prize £15 – number 65, Pia Lyle

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone for taking part!

Have you got a new neighbour?

Please mention Parish News to them!

If you have any neighbours or friends that have just moved to the area, or who might not be aware of this newsletter, please can you mention Parish News to them. We’re now on 720 email subscribers across Barley, Newchurch and Roughlee so are definitely reaching the majority of households, but it’s an ongoing job to let people know when there’s no longer a physical copy being delivered and not everyone will see the adverts on noticeboards. Thanks for your help!

Print a note to post through their letterbox here →

They can enter their email address to receive an email on the first of each month online at www.parishnews.org – their data is managed/protected by Roughlee Parish Council on behalf of the other parish councils.

Events in Barley: Dec 2023

  • Pendle Forest History Group – Wed 20th December, 7.30pm at Barley Village Hall – Christmas Social with items of interest. Members £2.00, Visitors £3.00. Email →
  • Barley Chapel table tennis club (adults) – Tuesdays 7 to 9pm. Just come along
  • Pendle Patchers – 12th Dec, from 1pm at Barley Village Hall – A group of Patchers treated themselves to a day out at the Knitting & Stitching show at Harrogate in November and inevitably came home with assorted goodies they hadn’t realised they needed. We enjoyed picking up fresh ideas and stimulation for new projects, we will see in the new year …
    [ READ MORE → ]

72 Seasons

27 November – 1 December: The North Wind Brushes the Leaves

Rustling. The sound of the leaves in the wind. Watching them dance. Working out which way is North – during the day or night. How can you ‘feel’ this season? All of the above maybe!

Here are a list of wonderful ways to find North:

  • Look for moss; it usually grows on the north (i.e., least sunny) side of trees, walls and rocks—or at least, grows most plentifully there.
  • Look for spider webs, which tend to appear on the south sides of trees.
  • Put a stick in the ground vertically, and note where the end of its shadow is. Wait a little while, and mark where the end is …
    [ READ MORE → ]

St. Mary's Church

December 2023 Services

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 will take place on the following dates:

  • Sunday 3rd December – 9:30am – Advent Sunday Holy Communion
  • Sunday 10th December – 9:30am – Advent Morning Prayer
  • Sunday 10th December – 3:00pm – Christingle and Crib Service
  • Sunday 17th December – 9:30am – Advent Holy Communion with Bishop Jill Duff
  • Sunday 24th December – 9:30am – Christmas Eve Holy Communion
  • Sunday 24th December – 10:00pm – Candlelit First Communion of Christmas
  • Monday 25th December – 9:30am – Christmas Day Communion Service

Contact Fr Paul Payton for more details on 07866 696 891 or email frpaulp@yahoo.com.

  • MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES (Christmas Toys Night)
    Sun 17th December from 7pm at 5 Osborne Terrace, Spenbrook

    Adults £10, children welcome (a small donation towards a small gift please)
    Please come and join us for some Christmas cheer amongst the decorative (and noisy) decorations. All proceeds to St. Mary’s Church.