News from the Community
What’s Happening…
- Hello to our friends in Preston,
- We would love to extend an invitation to you to join us on the Good Friday Walk of Witness this year. The last couple of years this has been a very powerful witness to our city and it has been great to partner with many different churches. Please do pass this invitation on to your congregation members.
- The details are as follows:
- 18th April – at 11.15am we set off from outside Fishergate Shopping Centre, walk down Fishergate to the Flag Market for an act of worship followed by refreshments.
- Do get in touch if you have any questions.
- With all good wishes,
- Fr David Craven, Area Dean of Preston and Parish Priest of St George’s
- Preston Ribble Methodists are inviting you to an afternoon exploring Music and Spirituality with John Bell of the Iona Community 29th March 1-4pm Poster and booking details here
- What goes around, comes around as the saying goes. The first performance by Preston Oratorio Society (as we were then known) in December 1930 was Brahms' Requiem and in a few weeks' time, on April 5th, not quite 100 years on, we'll perform it again – in English this time (apologies to any purists).
- Saturday 5th April 2025 – 7.00pm at St Michael and All Angels, Egerton Road, Ashton, PR2 1AJ [Poster]
- MD: Dan Adams, Pianist: Paul Greenhalgh,
- Soloists: Aimée-Maria Harris (soprano), Connor Cobb (bass)
- Adults £12, under 18s £5 - book in advance via the website (www.prestonorpheuschoir.org) or pay on the door – cash, card or contactless.
- Mick Gardner, Preston Orpheus Choir
- We also are inviting people from other choirs to come and join us Sing this free of charge to swell numbers. good sight reading is essential, firstly to attend the Tues 1st April Rehearsal at St Pius X Schl Garstang Rd Preston at 7.30 till 9.30.
- Then to come to the afternoon rehearsal at St Michael's Church in the afternoon on 5.4.25 before the concert at 7pm. We have extra music scores available but people need to contact the choir before turning up to secure them.
- 07929851569 Andrea Mortimore
- The Chosen: Last Supper in cinemas April 10! Watch trailer here Book tickets here Odeon Preston Riversway
- The powerful cinematic opener to The Chosen Season 5. Their power threatened, the country's leaders will do anything to ensure this Passover meal is Jesus’ last.
- The King of Kings - in cinemas April 11! Watch trailer here Book tickets here
- An animated adventure featuring a star-studded cast (Kenneth Branagh, Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman to name a few), sharing the greatest story ever told - the story of Jesus!
- Christian Retreats led by Donna Worthington.
- These are online and in-person events.
- Only the programme for the next few months is shown below - see the full comprehensive programme on the website where you can also book.
- Contact Donna Worthington: drworthington@live.co.uk 07770 719198
- www.christianretreats.live
- MAY 2025
- (IN SITU) JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN… | In the 5th century, the
- brilliant Celtic seafarers Saint Brendan and his companions, set sail into the
- unknown of the Atlantic, compelled by the Spirit to seek the Island of the
- Promised Land…This incredible Christian journey offers a wonderful imaginative
- and mythic space in which to do our inner, creative soul-work.
- Wednesday 7th May 2025
- Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella, Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall
- PR55AA. (Free parking available) 11.30am-3pm (Please arrive for 11.15am
- and bring a packed lunch.) Cost £20. For bookings, please contact the
- Parish office: 01772 335387 OR Email office@saintgerards.org.uk
- (IN SITU) JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN…
- In the 5th century, the brilliant Celtic seafarers Saint Brendan and his
- companions, set sail into the unknown of the Atlantic, compelled by the Spirit to
- seek the Island of the Promised Land…This incredible Christian journey offers a
- wonderful imaginative and mythic space in which to do our inner, creative soul-
- work.
- Tuesday May 27 th , 2025, 10.30am – 4pm (10am Coffee)
- Cost £30 (Includes refreshments and lunch) Venue: Monastery Of Our Lady Of Hyning, Warton, Nr. Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9SE
- FOR BOOKINGS, CONTACT BOOKINGS SECRETARY: 01524
- 732684 hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk
- JUNE 2025
- (IN SITU) VAN GOGH | ‘There is nothing more artistic than loving people’.
- ‘What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?’ These quotes
- from the genius Van Gogh, are just some of the windows into this retreat which
- will offer creative, reflective sessions to deepen our Christian spirituality and
- become closer to God.
- Saturday 7th June 2025
- Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella, Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall
- PR55AA. (Free parking available)
- 11.30am-3pm (Please arrive for 11.15am and bring a packed lunch.) Cost
- £20.
- For bookings, please contact the Parish office: 01772 335387 OR Email
- office@saintgerards.org.uk
Information and events for next month need to be received before the last Friday of the month, and will be sent over that weekend (all being well)!
The Blue Flamingo
Farmers' Market
The third Saturday of each month is market day in Ashton on Ribble. For the last 15 years regular farmers’ markets have been held at St Michael’s church in Tulketh Road.
The markets, which are held in the church hall car park, have become a major event in the local community, offering something for everyone. They provide a really welcome opportunity for people to shop in an environmentally conscious way, buying fresh food from local producers and minimising food miles. The church was a pioneer supporter of FairTrade, and was the first in the whole of Blackburn diocese to be given the coveted ‘Eco-Congregation’ status. The markets extend that commitment, by providing practical support for Lancashire farmers and offering them an opportunity to showcase their produce.
There are fresh vegetables, free-range eggs from local suppliers, fish from Fleetwood, delicious beef and lamb reared on the Cartmel fells, local bread, pies and cakes hand-made in the time-honoured traditional way, and of course plenty of the best cheese in the world – proper Lancashire cheese made just outside Preston in the shadow of Beacon Fell.
It’s a lively and welcoming market which has become quite a social event as well. Even with COVID shoppers are able to meet, socially distanced, with their friends, and chat happily while choosing their fish or vegetables. Going to the supermarket can be a real strain, but the farmers’ markets are just that bit different – friendly, plenty of chance to have a word with the stallholders, and an opportunity to sample a taste of the produce before you buy.
Said market organiser, Jacquie Crosby, ‘We thought of this idea some years ago because we wanted to make a lot more of our church. The building is a historic gem in the middle of the community, but we realised that it was under-used and that we could be imaginative in making it a really useful asset to Ashton and to Preston. So we experimented with holding a market, and we’re very pleased with how it has worked’. She added that customers are glad to have the chance to buy such quality produce on their own doorstep, and that supporting local producers is a real plus, especially in these difficult economic times. ‘For a lot of people in the Ashton area it’s now an event to put on the calendar’, she said, ‘but the more the merrier – we warmly welcome new shoppers. There’s plenty of parking and it’s easy to find at the junction of Tulketh Road and Egerton Road’.
Markets are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9.00am-12.30pm!
We're having plant stalls in April and May and would welcome plant donations in the week before the market
Farmers Market Information
Preston Churches News…
welcome to the monthly email of what is happening around the churches of Preston.
With best wishes for a Happy New Year!
MAY 2024
Monday 13th May 11:30am-3pm
At Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella, Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall PR55AA. For bookings, please contact the Parish office on 01772 335387 or Email – office@saintgerards.org.uk
JUNE 2024
Thursday 6th June 11:30am-3pm
At Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella, Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall PR55AA. For bookings, please contact the Parish office on 01772 335387 or Email – office@saintgerards.org.uk
HOLY ISLAND RETREATS (NON-RESIDENTIAL) Mon 10th- Fri 14th June 2024. Our time in this sacred place will include a retreats, spiritual reflection, time to be creative and reflection on Celtic Christianity. Retreat sessions also include (weather permitting!) entering into the beautiful physical spaces of this island of St Aidan and St Cuthbert, which has been called ‘a thin place’, e.g. time on St Cuthbert’s Island – a small island very close to the main island where St Cuthbert used to go to have solitude. We will take time out to soak in and simply ‘be’ in this ancient place of beauty. These retreats always seem to be graced with insight, enjoyment and spiritual depth. Holy Island is a wonderful place to retreat to!
The 5 retreat sessions will take place in St Cuthbert's Centre (and weather permitting, at various places on the island) on Monday evening at 8-9.30pm, then at 10am-12pm and 4-6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There is an optional spiritual direction session available to you, if you wish. You'll need to sort out your own accommodation and meals - this gives you the freedom to stay where you feel comfortable. To express an interest in attending and for further information, please contact: Donna Worthington - drworthington@live.co.uk
M 07770719198
JULY 2024
Saturday 6th July 11:30am-3pm
At Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella, Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall PR55AA. For bookings, please contact the Parish office on 01772 335387 Email – office@saintgerards.org.uk
(IN SITU) THE FIRE, THE WELL & THE CLOAK | Explore the spirituality of the wonderful Saint Brigid and her compelling symbolism.
Tuesday 23rd July 2024, 10.30am – 4pm (10am Coffee)
Cost £30 (Includes refreshments and lunch)
Venue: Monastery Of Our Lady Of Hyning, Warton, Nr. Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9SE
FOR BOOKINGS, CONTACT BOOKINGS SECRETARY: 01524 732684 hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2024
(In Situ - Ireland) SAINT KEVIN RETREAT AT GLENDALOUGH | THE CAVE, THE BLACKBIRD & THE MONSTER | A Journey with the Christian Contemplative, Saint Kevin. 20th Sept 2024.10:30am-3:30pm. Cost 70 euros
Imagine going deeper on a journey with the 6th century Saint Kevin... Just a few minutes from the stunning Monastic Site of Glendalough, Ireland, is the Brockagh Resource Centre (close to Glendalough Hermitages / St Kevin's Church) and it’s here that the day retreat will take place. We will use presentation, music, stillness, discussion, to explore the compelling spirituality of this famous hermit including the profound image of Saint Kevin’s Cave, which offers us rich ground for considering contemplative silence and why our hearts often yearn for stillness. The unforgettable story of Saint Kevin and the Blackbird will be presented through storytelling and we’ll explore questions such as: How does this story show the relationship between prayer and creation and prayer and spiritual birth? Space for inner soul work will be offered; the startling symbol of the monster of the lough can be an aid to looking at our own shadow sides and how we can bring these gently to light as well as noticing the hidden treasures we may carry. The day will end (weather permitting) with prayer in the sacred place of Glendalough itself, at St Kevin’s well.
Venue: Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh House, Ballard, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, A98D3H1 Please arrive for 10.15am, we'll start promptly at 10.30am. The day finishes at 3.30pm Please bring a packed lunch.
Getting to Brockagh Resource Centre, (which is in Laragh village, very close to Glendalough Monastic Site). Easily reachable by car and public transport. The nearest train station is Rathdrum, then a short taxi ride to Glendalough. For train times see www.irishrail.ie. You may also wish to take the Glendalough Bus www.glendaloughbus.com or local Link bus number 183.
Local Taxis - Glendalough Cabs John Preston: 0879729452 glendaloughcabs@hotel.com www.glendaloughcabs.ie
NOVEMBER 2024
(IN SITU) Parcevall Hall, Residential Retreats | Exploring Celtic Christianity – St Hild, St Ia, St Brigid
In beautiful countryside is Parcevall Hall. They say on their website that many have: 'come here to experience peace and tranquillity since the hall opened as a retreat house in 1963'. Parcevall Hall is a unique and special place with lovely gardens, an outdoor terrace, a chapel, comfortable bedrooms etc.
This retreat focuses on 3 inspirational women from Celtic Christianity: Saint Brigid of Kildare, St Hild of Whitby and St Ia of Cornwall. We will explore the intriguing symbolism of Saint Brigid's fire and cloak. St Hild's banishment of harmful snakes will offer us a space to face our fears. St Ia's wonderful ocean journey in a leaf-coracle will help us to creatively explore a journey of surrender, solitude and the wild elemental sea, wind and sky... Our time of retreat will include a rhythm of prayer, retreat sessions, spiritual reflection, time to be creative and relax. The retreat is an opportunity to explore Christian spirituality in a creative and prayerful way. The cost (on request) includes all retreat sessions, an optional spiritual direction session, accommodation and 3 meals a day (vegetarian food). Retreatants stay in the main hall.
DATES: 2024 Monday 11th November, leaving on Friday 15th November (4 nights)
To express an interest in attending any of the above and for further information, please contact: Donna Worthington - drworthington@live.co.uk
M 07770719198
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