The parish 200 Club, originally set up to provide funds for the St. Robert's Centre, is now the main fundraiser of the parish. The draw takes place each month with half the total contributions shared out in cash and other prizes. As numbers increase, so will the prize money. At present the top cash prize is £300 each month. Enrolment forms are available at the back of Church.

Promoter: Barry Pollard.

Administrative Secretary: Cath Barry (01423 564240).

Committee Member: John Blake.

Boys and girls - and retired men - assist the priest at Mass and other ceremonies. Any boy or girl who has made his or her First Holy Communion is eligible to become an altar server. All would be very welcome.

Contact: Joe Buck (01423 562549)

APF Mill Hill is a missionary society which provides priests, sisters and lay missionaries to live and work amongst some of the poorest people all over the world. They are engaged in humanitarian, educational and development work. Most of their funds are raised through collecting boxes in the home, which are emptied quarterly by a team of volunteer collectors. Each household receives three issues of the magazine “Mission Today” and a calendar in December.

Contact: Margaret Ketteringham (01423 879145)

Baptism is the Sacrament of Faith; when parents bring their child for baptism they are affirming their own Faith, as well as bringing their child into the faith community - the Church. Baptism is often called the gateway to life in the Spirit, the door of access to the other Sacraments.

Infant baptism is the form in which this Sacrament is conferred (and parents are advised not to delay too long after birth, 6 - 8 weeks is usual). There is a period of preparation for parents who ask to have their children baptised. We encourage the parents to choose carefully the godparents who will encourage and support the child in faith formation; at least one will be a practising Catholic. It is also important to choose the name of a saint for the child.

The Sacrament is administered, by arrangement, after 11:.30 Mass on Sundays, or during Mass if the parents prefer.

Contact: One of the priests (01423 504988)

Have you lost a close relative or friend? Would you like to talk to someone in confidence about your feelings - perhaps of anger, fear, loneliness or pain? Do you feel that God has deserted you?

St Robert’s Bereavement Support Group provides

• Caring and confidential help to anyone suffering from loss.
• Opportunities for people who are bereaved to meet as a group to share their experiences (those who have taken part in such meetings have found them helpful).
• Services of prayer and reflection in the spiring and autumn.

Our members have undergone training in support and listening skills, we are not trained counsellors.

Contacts: Madeleine Naylor (01423 889100), Margaret Sutcliffe (01423 569012), Margaret Smith (01423 520923).

CAFOD is the official agency of the Church in England and Wales. Its aims are:

• To raise awareness of the underlying causes of poverty and injustice in the world. CAFOD provides educational materials for use in schools and parishes
• To work for change through campaigning. CAFOD is a member of the Jubilee Debt Campaign and Trade Justice Campaign and invites supporters to work with these related campaigns to bring justice to the international order
• To fund development projects and respond in emergencies in the poorest countries of the world. Currently CAFOD, in partnership with local organisations, supports over 1,000 projects in over 70 countries.

The parish group organises events and collections to coincide with the Lenten and Harvest Fast Day collections and emergency appeals.

CAFOD’s slogan, “JUST ONE WORLD,” answers Pope John Paul’s call for us all to make a meaningful commitment to bring justice to the world, a necessary condition for peace and harmony.

Registered Charity No: 286776.
Meetings as advertised.

Coordinators: Vincent and Madeleine Naylor (01423 889100)

The Catenian Association is an International Brotherhood of Catholic professional men who meet socially at least once a month at local branches or “Circles”. The Catenians are non-political, they are not fund raisers, nor are they a Catholic pressure group. Their primary aims are mutual support and sociability based on the common values of faith, family and friendship.

The Harrogate Circle meet every second Tuesday of the month at the Ascot House Hotel, Harrogate.

Harrogate Website: www.catenian.org
HQ Website: www.thecatenians.com

Membership Officer: Justin Park (01423 508247)
Secretary: Ian Sutcliffe (01423 569012)

Harrogate Catholic Club, located in Robert Street next to St. Robert's Centre, has been a social club for the district's Catholics for 90 years.

It is a meeting place for men and women to socialise in friendly, familiar surroundings. “The Club” is comfortably furnished and decorated and sells a variety of beers, lagers, wines and spirits.

You can always get a cup of tea or coffee if you prefer; all at reduced prices.

Many small groups use the club as a regular meeting place for informal discussions and there is a meeting room available for more formal, private meetings. All free to members. A popular quiz is held monthly on Sunday evenings and there is an excellent entertainments programme.

“The Club” has darts and pool teams in the local leagues and is a great base for members to develop their own sports interests. (i.e. football, tennis, badminton, etc.). Parishioners are very welcome to call in and see the facilities for themselves. If you fancy a change of walls, Harrogate Catholic Club could be just the place for you. The club is open seven nights a week, plus Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes. Children are welcome up to 9pm under parental supervision.

Visit the club - you will be most welcome.

Contact: 01423 503503.

The Catholic Women’s League, founded in 1906 has, as its role model and pattern of womanhood, Saint Margaret Clitherow. The principle aims of the CWL are to unite Catholic women in a bond of fellowship; to institute and maintain charitable works; to foster interest in social welfare, relief and refugee and educational programmes; to support the Catholic Church and to ensure Catholic representation on major bodies, both national and international, with special reference to matters concerning women and the family.

A year’s programme includes lectures on current matters, study weekends, retreats, days of recollection and pilgrimages, as well as fund-raising and social events. Membership is open to all parishes within the Deanery, and prospective members are welcome to attend any of the monthly meetings as advertised in the parish bulletins.

The CWL also organises postal courses for potential catechists and for children unable to attend Catholic schools. See the entry “Our Lady’s Catechists” in the Leeds Diocesan Directory.

Meetings: 7:30 pm, St Robert’s Centre, fourth Wednesday of the month.

Contact: Barbara Stitt (01423 563846; Fax: 01423 501237)

We aim to share the Gospel with the children, providing them with a Liturgy of the Word suited to their age and stage of development. We have three different age groups: 0 - 4 years, 4 - 6 years and 7 - 11 years. We pray, talk, draw, act, sing or listen to music to deepen our understanding of the Gospel message. We provide coffee and drinks in the Parish Centre after 9 am Mass to help the children and their parents to get to know each other. Other social activities include a Christmas Party, and Easter Egg Hunt, family walks, Mini-Sports Day, dinner at a local restaurant and fund-raising.

We meet in the St Robert’s Centre during 9 am Mass during term time. Meetings are held four times a year to plan liturgical and social activities.

Contacts: Sue Diamond (01423 883234), Kate Banerjee (01423 734222), Susie Rymer (01423 567131)

The parish is mindful of its responsibilities to the younger members of our community. It is compliant with the appropriate regulations, and follows the diocesan guidelines with regard to the welfare of our children. Anyone with concerns about children in the context of any parish activities should contact the Parish Priest or the parish Child Protection representatives.

Contact: Yvonne Marsh, Carmel Hopkins

The choir has existed for thirty years, and currently has some 36 members including keyboard, guitars, clarinet and cello. We try to sing in harmony! Our maxim is always to pray our singing rather than perform it, for as St. Augustine suggested “those who sing pray twice.”

We currently sing the 6 pm Mass on the third Sunday of the month, plus other occasional Masses, and at Easter and Christmas. We sing for weddings and at nursing homes, and occasionally make recordings for charity. We have also been on pilgrimage to Rome, Fatima, Assisi, Medjugorje and Lourdes. It is devout, rewarding and fun! New members are always guaranteed a warm welcome.

Meetings are Tuesdays at St. Robert's Centre, 8pm (rosary), 8:30pm - 10pm (practice).

Contact: Bernard Antram (01423 879141)

The Traditional Choir leads the singing at 11:30 am Mass each Sunday. We have sung at weddings at St Robert’s and at St John Fisher’s, and at various events in the local area. The Choir’s repertoire includes settings of the Mass, Gregorian Chant and an extensive selection of four-part motets and other sacred music. New members are always welcome - previous experience is not essential! Anyone wishing to join this enthusiastic and dedicated group of singers should contact the choirleader or any member of the choir.

Meetings are every Thursday in the organ loft, 8:30pm - 9:45pm.

Choirleader: Brenda Boyle (01423 885439)

The parish requires about 40 volunteers to deliver and collect Christian Aid envelopes once a year during Christian Aid week in May. In 2004 they collected just over £2,400, which was added to the collections from 25 other Harrogate churches. St Robert’s has a large collection area allocated to it, and though we have a good core of old hands, we need more volunteers to cover all the houses that we are allocated. Can you help, and give just six hours once a year to help some of the poorest and neediest people in the world? The aim is to help people to improve their own lives and to tackle poverty and injustice.

Contact: A. Sawers (Harrogate CA Chairperson)
Parish Coordinators: Barbara & Peter Neafsey (01423 541308)

“Churches Together” is the vehicle for ecumenical activities, having links via West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council to Churches Together in England, and the Council of Churches in Britain & Ireland.

The objectives are:

• to emphasise Unity in Christ between Christian Denominations so that their differences diminish
• to undertake to work towards doing things together except that which in conscience must be done separately
• to witness, worship and to serve the community together in love, that others may be convinced of the shared Good News.

Harrogate churches are divided geographically into six groups under an umbrella Steering Council. St. Robert's belongs to the Town Centre group of nine churches whose representatives, clergy and pastoral leaders meet every two months to consider matters of local interest and to pray together. The Steering council organises events of wider concern. Anyone interested in becoming a representative should contact the Parish Priest.

Website: www.ctharrogate.org.uk

Contact: Kath Plant (01423 873476)

The Parish Community Centre opened in 1998 following a major refurbishment, with the help of Lottery Funding, of the original Our Lady’s Villa, which had served the Parish well for many years. The Centre is required to follow clear guidelines set by the National Lottery Commission, and has three clear aims:

• To support Parish activities and Parish Groups.
• To provide facilities and a venue for Community-based activities.
• To hire out its facilities for use by the Commercial sector in Harrogate.

The Centre is run on a commercial basis, with its running costs being met out of the income raised from the hire of its rooms and facilities. In this way, the facility does not become a financial burden to the Parish. The Centre is managed on a daily basis by an Administrator (Peter McNamara) and a full time Warden (Pauline Miller), with a management committee providing behind the scenes support. The Centre is there for the benefit of all Parishioners. If anyone wishes to learn more about the Centre, or how to make a booking, please get in touch.

Administrator: Peter McNamara (01423 529771)

Warden: Pauline Miller (01423 565715)

Young people aged 13+ years are invited to enrol in a catechetical programme in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They meet weekly and follow the “Welcome the Spirit” diocesan work scheme, which involves videos, discussion and reflection. There are liturgical celebrations that involve the whole parish and displays are set up in church to encourage parish prayers for the young people. Regular attendance is essential to show commitment to the programme. A Day of Recollection is also an essential part of the preparation, and all candidates are expected to attend.

To start the Confirmation process a letter from the young person is needed. This should be addressed to the Assistant Priest and must include a contact telephone number.

Meetings are scheduled according to the Confirmation date and take place in the Parish Centre from 4.30 pm until 6 pm Mass.

Contact: Christine Howson (01423 523169)

The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests in the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass and to the sick and housebound.

Approximately 100 parishioners receive Holy Communion from one of the Ministers in their own homes or Nursing Homes on a regular basis, once a fortnight.

Contact: Joe Buck (01423 562549)

This takes place for half an hour before midday Mass on Tuesday to Saturday, and every Saturday morning from 11 am to 12 noon and in the evening from 5 - 6 pm during confessions and leading up to the 12 noon Mass and 6.15 Vigil Mass.

A Finance Committee is established in the parish, in accordance with Canon Law. Its function is to support and advise the Parish Priest on financial matters.

Membership consists of the Parish Priest (Chairman), the Assistant Priest and three Catholic lay members appointed by the Parish Priest.

The committee meets at least four times a year to consider the annual financial returns to the Diocese, the parish budget and other financial matters as they arise.

Contact: Kath Plant (01423 873476)

St Robert’s and St Aelred’s parishes work closely with St Robert’s Primary School in a programme of preparation for these two Sacraments. To enrol children must be 7 years old to ensure that they are ready for their first Reconciliation during Advent.

We endeavour to involve the whole community in helping the children prepare for the sacraments by seeking prayer sponsors, special services in school and involvement in some Sunday Masses.

Our vision for the future is to continue to develop the home/school/parish base for the religious formation of our children. More catechists are needed to join in this essential and rewarding way of handing on the Faith.

First Reconciliation: We aim to help the children to celebrate this Sacrament with real joy, emphasising the full richness and love offered by Christ to all His followers.

First Holy Communion: Faith without reflection and action is incomplete. We need to live and to encourage the children to discover its riches for themselves. We teach that the Eucharist is about belonging, celebrating, listening, caring, making peace, giving thanks for creation of new life, sharing a meal and going forth to make a better world.

Meetings are held from September to May. Dates and times are published in the weekly parish bulletin.

Contact: Margaret Ketteringham (01423 879145)

The flower arrangements for the Church are provided by a rota of four dedicated ladies who deal with the altar decorations week by week.

Particular efforts are directed towards the decoration for the major Church festivals, i.e. Christmas and Easter. In addition the flower arrangers are prepared to arrange flower decorations for weddings at a modest cost - any profit is added to the parish Flower Fund.

Anyone interested in joining the team would be most welcome.

Contact: Antoinette Gallagher (01423 566413)

Gift Aid is a scheme used by Registered Charities to reclaim tax on charitable donations. There is no extra cost to the donor. The donor must be an individual who pays UK Income or Capital Gains tax. For this purpose husbands and wives are separate donors. If the donor completes a Gift Aid Declaration the Diocese (as a Registered Charity) can reclaim basic rate tax on the recorded donations. For example, for every £1 given the tax reclaimed is (currently) 28p.

Donations must be given by cash in numbered envelopes or by standing order or cheque. Loose cash in the collection plate does not count, as it cannot be traced to any particular donor.

Gift Aid forms and further information are available at the back of Church.

Planned Giving: If a donor does not pay UK tax he/she cannot complete a Gift Aid Declaration but can still plan their contributions to the Parish by means of numbered envelopes or standing order. For advice please see contact below.

Contact: Kath Plant (01423 873476)

The Order of the Knights of St Columba exists to support the mission of the Catholic Church and at the same time to work for the spiritual, intellectual and material welfare of its members and their families. The Order is an organised body of Catholic men, giving its entire loyalty to the Holy See, to the hierarchy and to the clergy in all things pertaining to the Catholic Faith.

In accordance with the social teaching of the Church, members of the order work diligently for the moral and social welfare of their country, and in particular to help young people to develop in the likeness of Christ.

Members of the Order aim to achieve these objectives through the fundamental virtues - Charity, Unity and Fraternity. We care for the needs of our young people by organising practical activities such as Youth Days, seminars and competitions.

Meetings are the third Wednesday of the month at 8.15 pm in the Parish Centre.

Grand Knight: John Hough (01423 507257)
Secretary: Barry Littlewood (01423 563890; Email: barry.littlewood3@virgin.net)

The Harrogate Deanery organises a programme of talks and discussions, which generally take place in parish centres, in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Wetherby. They are published through parish bulletins, local press and in leaflets distributed in churches. In addition, talks and study days are arranged on topics of special interest, two or three times a year. Please see the notice board at the back of church for more details

Contact: Parish Priest (01423 504988)

You are the Church. The Church has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to love. As members of St. Robert's parish it is here that we exercise our faith; our response to the Gospel. This requires discipline and commitment (in the same way that people go to the gym) but we understand that if we put ourselves at God’s service He will make good use of us. The Legion of Mary has met weekly in this parish for over 60 years. Hundreds of lay people have found the Legion to be a confirmation and a challenge.

Why not come and see us at St Robert's Centre, every WEDNESDAY at 2pm.

Contact: Des Tinline (01423 879363)

Please call the national Hotline (01926 311511) if you would like local information about our caring service. Life members in Harrogate give talks on pro-life issues, they run an annual stall at the Great Yorkshire Show and they raise fund to support the work of the charity. Life has been active on the Community Health Council and the team members are regularly asked to speak on the media.

Life has a small active membership in Harrogate and is keen to welcome new members.

Meetings are as arranged, in the Catholic Club.

Contact: John Cornforth (01423 886928; Email: shoes@johncornforth.fsnet.co.uk)

Marriage preparation courses are organised on an individual basis. The emphasis of the course is on developing communication skills and deepening understanding of the meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Couples are encouraged to spend their time discussing and preparing for their married life together.

At least six months notice must be given. Application for the course should be to the parish clergy.

Contact: The Presbytery (01423 504988)

The Parenting Programme is produced by the Family Caring Trust. Its courses run for seven to eight weeks. Its aim is to improve communication skills and create a framework of discipline and respect in families, and to assist with addressing the more challenging child! It seeks to provide non-aggressive alternatives in dealing with children and aims to reduce family stress.

Meetings are held, by arrangement, during term time on Monday evenings, at St Robert’s School.

Contact: Valerie Preece (01423 553540) or the Health Visitor at your Doctor’s practice.

The Council continues to develop as the principal forum for dialogue and cooperative effort in serving the community of St Robert’s. Increasingly, lay people are assuming their role as co-workers, with co-responsibility for the growth of communal life - prayerful and faithful, charitable and missionary in spirit.

The Council - priests and people - was set up with 12 members elected by parishioners, 12 appointed by the Parish Priest, and a secretary. The Parish Priest, as President, provides support, direction and spiritual leadership.

The Council meets six times a year and publishes agendas and minutes. Parishioners are invited to attend meetings, especially the AGM in November

Meetings are every second Thursday in Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept and Nov (AGM), 7:30 pm in the Parish Centre.

Contact: Kath Plant (01423 873476)

The RCIA is a programme built on the Church’s philosophy of catechesis. It is the process of introducing and welcoming enquirers to the Catholic Church, undertaking their spiritual care and instruction, and leading them to Christ through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. RCIA provides a complete course for those who have little or no knowledge of Christ and the Church.

RCIA is flexible and can be adapted for the people who have had some contact with the Church, but who lack one or more of the Sacraments and wish to receive them. It also allows for young people who have missed one of the Sacraments for whatever reason.

RCIA is a complete “Way” and has its own ceremonies and liturgies to accompany its teaching. It is essentially an experience, Christ-centred and inspired by the Gospel. The programme requires catechists and helpers, both ordained and lay people, who work with the full support of the parish. We have had several courses at St Roberts in recent years and have had the great joy of welcoming many new members into full communion with the Catholic Church.

An RCIA group can be started at any time, but should ideally include Lent and lead to the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Every Catholic should be ready to welcome enquirers, and make it possible for them to find what they are seeking, and to give continuing encouragement and support by prayer and example

Contact: The Presbytery (01423 504988)

When the Sacred Scriptures are read in church, God Himself is speaking to His people and Christ, in His Word, is proclaiming His Good News. Hence the readings from God’s Word are amongst the most important elements in the Liturgy.

St Robert’s and St John Fisher Catholic Churches have rotas for each Mass and over festive times such as Easter and Christmas. The rotas are issued well in advance of the Mass, therefore all readers will have enough time to understand their own reading, and deliver it with meaning at their Mass.

Contact: Richard Jackson (01423 879672)

Enter St Robert’s Church through the front entrance, turn left in the porch, through another door and you will find a hidden gem - St Robert’s Repository. There are cards for all occasions - Christmas, Easter, Baptism, Mass, Sympathy, Get Well, etc. Sunday and Daily Missals are available. A statue, crucifix or beautiful rosary makes a memorable gift. Specialist orders can usually be obtained within a week

Opening: Sundays after 11:30 Mass and any weekday after noon Mass on request (Sheila Costigan). There is also a repository facility after 9 am Mass on Sundays in Our Lady’s Chapel (Bernard Preston).

Contacts: Sheila Costigan (01423 885383), Bernard Preston (01423 870557)

St Robert’s School is a Voluntary Aided Catholic Primary School, maintained by the LEA. It is a co-educational day school which caters for children from four to eleven years. The school serves the children of St Aelred’s parish in Starbeck and St Robert’s parish in Harrogate.

The school buildings are light and airy, with ten large, colourful classrooms. We have a library, a purpose-built IT suite and a large multi-purpose hall. The whole school has been refurbished, providing a high quality learning environment. There are extensive playground and playing fields which border on open countryside, but which are secure. The grounds have been landscaped and adventure playground facilities recently completed.

St Robert’s School is a Community of Faith that aims to provide:

• A well organised and friendly atmosphere where each child is important
• A happy, caring and stimulating environment
• Positive attitudes and an enjoyment of learning which are fostered and encouraged
• Support for parents who wish to hand on the Faith to their children
• An environment which fosters the development of all skills, especially physical development, communication, mathematics and science, creativity and personal and social awareness.

We are committed to developing and maintaining an ethos that builds, in every child, self-confidence, appreciation of the needs of others, an acquisition of moral values and the ability to judge accordingly, habits of self-discipline and good behaviour.

We have high expectations of our children, and find that they respond well to the challenge. Learning programmes are carefully structured throughout the school; all work is based on the National Curriculum. A variety of traditional and modern teaching methods are employed. We are very proud of the breadth of the curriculum offered to our children. Further information may be obtained from the Headteacher, Mrs. M. Benson.

Address: Ainsty Road, Harrogate, HG1 4AP
Phone: 01423 504730
Fax: 01423 701104
Email: admin@st-roberts.n-yorks.sch.uk

St John Fisher is an 11 - 18 mixed, Catholic, comprehensive secondary school, situated in Harrogate, serving a wide area of North and West Yorkshire, within the Diocese of Leeds. The school has an excellent local reputation and in a recent OFSTED inspection it was described as “very effective with many excellent features.”

St John Fisher is first and foremost a Catholic School; it seeks to maintain and develop its Catholic ethos and is a worshipping community of faith. Every pupil is valued for the gifts and talents that he or she brings into the community. It seeks to promote spiritual and moral growth, so that the young people are ready to take up their lives as responsible, adult Christians.

High academic standards are a priority in the school and are achieved through a highly qualified staff, a well-balanced curriculum and good teaching and learning. The school has high expectations of all its pupils, and is committed to raising the attainment of everyone and celebrating achievement. It received the School Achievement Award for high attainment in both 2001 and 2002.

As a specialist Arts College, the school promotes the creative development of all pupils, with particular support for art, sport and performance in dance, drama and music. The school is also committed to its work within the wider community, through its involvement in the Arts, charitable works and issues of Justice and Peace.

Further details and a full prospectus are available from the school.

Headteacher: Mr. P. Jackson.
Chaplain: Fr. Christopher Angel.
Lay Chaplain: Mr. Simon Bolton-Gabrielsen.

Address: Hookstone Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8PT
Phone: 01423 887254
Email: office@sjfchs.org.uk

For many years this lunch has been an opportunity for the clergy to thank senior citizens, on behalf of the parish, for their support and efforts over many years. The lunch is normally held on a Saturday, early in December, commencing with Mass at 12 noon, followed by lunch and entertainment. Details are advertised in the parish bulletin about a month in advance. Organising the event requires many helpers for catering and for transport; volunteers are most welcome.

Contact: Tom Foster (01423 872497)

We are most fortunate to have willing and long serving volunteers in our parish who provide their cars to drive and help parishioners in need, the handicapped and elderly to one of the Sunday morning Masses. The organisation of these transport arrangements is the responsibility of our St Vincent de Paul Society, who would welcome and appreciate more volunteers.

Contact: John Blake (01423 565583)

The SVP was founded in Paris in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam and friends, who, challenged about what the Church had done or was doing, started visiting the poor, taking food, fuel and clothing. They were guided by Sr Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity. They named their group or Conference, after St Vincent de Paul, the Patron Saint of Charity. Today the SVP is to be found in 140 countries around the world.

We are a lay organisation of Christian men and women, young and old, with about 800,000 members worldwide. The 9,000 or so members in the UK meet in Conferences (local groups), based usually on Parishes, but also in hospitals, schools and colleges. The Vincentian spirit is one of “prayer and good works”, following the great command of Christ to Love God and our neighbour. So, our meetings start and end with prayer. Our work is driven by the needs of the people around us. Visiting people in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes, prisons and hostels. We run clubs for the hearing-impaired, probation hostels, drop-in and social centres, community shops, children’s camps and homes for the mentally ill and the homeless. We remember our brothers and sisters overseas, by supporting them in their work.

St Robert’s SVP has about 15 active members and 6 auxiliaries. Most of the work locally is that of visiting those in need in their own homes or in nursing homes. These can be men and women who are lonely or housebound. They can be people with mental problems, who just require someone to listen to their story. They can be families, struggling to make ends meet on very tight budgets. We organise occasional outings. We have provided holidays for families. We support “twin” Conferences in India and Sudan and regularly write and receive letters from them.

Are you always ready to help someone with a problem? Are you willing to serve your neighbour, whoever that might be, and be tolerant of those with whom you may disagree, not judging those with behavioural problems or personality difficulties? If so, then have you ever thought of joining the SVP or even finding out some more about what we do?  We are always on the lookout for new members, old and young, women and men, to ensure the work of the Society continues. There is no shortage of work to be done. If you would like more information, then please contact us.

Meetings are held on Mondays (except Bank Holidays) at 7:45pm in St Robert’s Centre.

Contact: Vincent Naylor (01423 889100)

Beginning with a small group of seven walkers in 1994, the group has grown over the years, current membership stands at 36, with an average of 20 walkers on the monthly walks.

We meet monthly (programmes available) and the walks are usually circular, about 6 - 8 miles in length, and with different members acting as leaders, there is a good variety of routes throughout the year.
The group has a good cross-section of our parishioners and we have members from other parishes in the deanery and the diocese, with occasional visitors from Ireland, Hallam and America! New walkers are always welcome.

It is a very friendly and supportive group, and many new friendships have been forged as we walk and chat together around the lovely hills and dales of Yorkshire.

Meetings are the First Thursday of the month.

Contact: Ian Sutcliffe (01423 569012)