Update 5 June 2012: sadly some technical problems arose, meaning the bell wasn’t able to ring on Sunday. The bell expert has been brought back in to fix it. We’ll let you know when it is working again.
After years of silence, the bell in the tower of St Columba’s church in Crosspool will ring out once again this morning.
The peal will take place just before 10am to mark the queen’s diamond jubilee.
Priest–in-charge at the church Reverend Frances Eccleston is planning on the bell getting more use from now on: “We hope to ring a brief peal on the bell before our 10am service on Sunday morning most weeks.”
The St Columba bell sits in the church tower behind four concrete panels. It was cast in Loughborough in 1901 before being set in the tower in December 1955.
Why not take your mind off the current unseasonal weather with a sneak preview of what is in store for the 2012 Crosspool Festival?
This year’s festival runs 7-15 July. The programme will kick off with Crosspool Open Gardens on Saturday 7 July and it is hoped to repeat the street market and Crosspool’s Got Talent evening.
Plans are also underway for the creation of a well dressing and for Olympics-themed and musical events and there will be a summer fayre on Coldwell Lane on Saturday 14 July.
The local churches will be joining together for a closing services on Lydgate Green on Sunday 15 July, complete with brass band.
This is your chance to get involved with Crosspool’s major annual community event: if you can offer an hour or two to help, please get in touch with St Columba’s church parish office on st.columbas@hotmail.co.uk or 0114 267 0006.
A big thank you to our youngest reporter, Ashleigh Fletcher, for this review of the Stephen Hill Youth pantomime which took place 15-18 February 2012.
Hansel and Gretel Stephen Hill Youth pantomime review
A packed house at Stephen Hill Methodist Church thoroughly enjoyed the energetic romp through the traditional Hans Christian Anderson story of Hansel and Gretel, with a twist of modern and colourful dialogue.
Hansel and Gretel Stephen Hill Youth pantomime
In the story, Hansel and Gretel, having been taken into the woods by their father, have got lost and come across a gingerbread house, filled with mouth-watering sweets and chocolate. Here, however, they are taken hostage by the wicked witch, who can’t wait to treat herself and gobble up the poor children.
The show was stolen by Lucas de Brouwer, who brought comic timing to the role of Dame Buns. He also got the whole audience participating in a sing-along of ‘Three Currant Buns’ along with actions! He was ably supported by Melissa Sorrell and Olivia Battye, who played Chelsea and Ginger (the children of the Dame). All three of them certainly stood out with their impressive acting skills.
The eponymous heroes themselves, Hansel and Gretel, also made an outstanding performance; Hansel played by Zoe Edwards and Gretel played by Esther Davis. Katie Craig, who played ‘Chip’, cannot go without mentioning either. It was obvious that she had put in a lot of hard work and effort, which really showed through in her performance.
Special mention must be made for the endearing performance of the younger members of the cast. It was also clear that the talented cast were very well rehearsed, as a high quality of performance was maintained throughout the pantomime.
Scenery design by Ian Delaney and Lucy Nelson was colourful, imaginative and a treat for the eye and great credit must be given to Glenda de Brouwer and Catherine Longshaw for excellent costume work, particularly the character of Dame Buns, with his eccentric and colourful wigs!
The choreographer, Isabel MacAskill, was happy to speak to me about her role in the production. She said that they have been working on the choreography twice a week since November! It certainly paid off, judging by the terrific performances.
At the end of the play, the children emerged from the woods unscathed, with the help of their friends, Chip, Barney and PC Norman, and the audience went home having witnessed a fantastic night of entertainment
Thank you to Helen and Ian Delaney for producing and directing the fabulous performance and to Lucy and Paul Nelson, who wrote the unique and exemplary storyline.
This year’s Stephen Hill Youth pantomime is Hansel and Gretel. It runs from Wednesday 15 February to Saturday 18 February. Tickets, at £4 or £3 for under-12s are available from Bob Hodges on 0114 230 3207.
Get your tickets now for the Stephen Hill pantomime Hansel and Gretal
