The Men’s Society annual Bowls match was re-arranged for July 11th to allow for the Canal trip in June.

20 members and friends attended the Linden Club for the event. Two hours after a torrential thunderstorm in the afternoon, it dried up and 16 bowlers took part, the final being between Eric Shakeshaft and Gary Prolze with Gary winning. Splendid refreshments were provided by Carole and her team.

The photos below were taken on the night.

The Mayor was delighted to receive a cheque towards his Mayoral Charities from his Chaplain, the Vicar of St Paul’s, Sale, Rev Mrs Barbara Sharp (pictured with Churchwarden Harry Thomas). This was from the collection at the Mayor’s Civic Service last Sunday, and totalled £879.48!

On Sunday afternoon, June 30th, St Paul’s hosted the Civic Service for the Mayor of Trafford, Cllr. Robert Chilton. The service was Choral Evensong and the guest preacher was the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, the Venerable Ian Bishop.

Many of the local churches and organisations were represented and the church was full with additional seating required. After the service refreshments were served on the south lawn. Although there was a strong breeze the weather was very kind.

The  photos below were taken on the day.

On the evening of June 25th the Men’s Society joined with the Tuesday Group and went on a canal cruise along the Bridgewater Canal from Sale to Dunham and back. During the journey a two course dinner was served. Although the weather was cloudy it did not rain and everyone seemed to enjoy the event.

Photos taken during the cruise are shown below.

The photo below did not mean that we had run aground. We were turning for home.

This event on Saturday June 22nd was a workshop for pianists to learn about the organ, the differences between playing the piano and organ and to provide an opportunity for guided playing.

Fifteen pianists attended with presentations and guidance by Anne Allen, David Hillary and Kevin Drury.

The workshop ended with Anne playing Widor’s Tocatta.

The photos below were taken on the day.

For details of the following events please see What’s On – Church and What’s On – Church Hall :-

Afternoon Tea and Singalong – June 14th

Churches Together Llandudno Trip – June 19th

Canal Trip – June 25th

Let’s Play the Organ – 22nd June

Civic Service – 30th June

Music for a Sunday Afternoon – 14th July

Ashton on Mersey: A Village in Bloom!

Ashton on Mersey Village have entered the Village in Bloom competition for the first time this year, with an added focus on helping to tackle loneliness, becoming a dementia-friendly community and working together. 

Robbie Murray from Herbert Murray Funeral Directors in the village has played a major role in co-ordinating this initiative. Westway Nissan and Herbert Murray Funeral directors are two of the main sponsors of the event which has enabled many hanging baskets and planter troughs to be acquired.

Planters in all shapes and sizes have been sponsored or taken over by a variety of local businesses, schools, churches, care homes, community and young people’s groups and the village was a hive of activity on Saturday 11th May when local residents and members of all the groups turned out to do their planting.

St Paul’s Church, whilst clearly not in the village was invited to take part and has painted and planted out the violet coloured trough planter in front of the village chemist. The trough has been packed with marigolds, petunias, pansies, impatiens and lobelia and displays coloured photographs of the outside and inside of our church in all its magnificence. The planter should be in full bloom by the time this article is published.

If you are not a village regular it will certainly be worth a visit this summer.

Irrespective of the outcome of the official Village in Bloom Competition it has certainly been worth the effort judging from the very positive comments which I received from passers-by when planting out our trough.

Brian Kerridge