St Andrew’s, Dearnley gearing up for 120th anniversary

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

All at St Andrew’s are gearing up for one of the biggest events at the church in recent years when we stage two-day celebrations over the weekend of 26 and 27 September to mark the 120th anniversary of the church and parish.

It may seem a long time off at first glance, but the six weeks will fly by as we build towards the big weekend, which will take the form of a Flower Festival, to be opened at 11.00am on the Saturday 26 September and brought to a close with Choral Evensong at 5.00pm on the Sunday, led by Archdeacon Cherry Van.

At 3.00pm on the Saturday there will be a performance by the St Andrew’s School band, followed at 7.00pm by the Anderson Band.

Holy Trinity choir will visit us on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2.00pm and the celebrations will then draw to a close with the Choral Evensong at 5.00pm.

The Church will be open all weekend, of course, for visitors to enjoy the Flower Festival and as this is a celebration to recognise the part St Andrew’s has played in the parish and in the community since 1895 we hope to see many people who perhaps don’t have a connection with the church now but whose families and friends may have had in years gone by.

We hope as many people as possible, within the parish and further afield, will keep that weekend free to visit us with family, friends and neighbours.

On Sunday 16 August we have our usual Sung Eucharist at 9.30am, the parish rota for which is as follows: lay assistants, C Longhurst, J Halstead; readers, G Barlow, S Topham; Intercessions, W Foote; sidespersons, E Burrow, J Ainsworth; refreshments, Gillian K, Vera, Dorothy.