The February meeting was attended by 10 members and one guest, Mrs Betty Booth. They were congratulated on coming out in such awful weather, but the parish room was warm and welcoming.
Ruth led the meeting as Anne was still suffering the after effects of a bad cold and cough, but she valiantly came along and made the tea.
Prayers were said, we especially remembered long-standing member Mrs. Ethel Godber who is in hospital recovering from a hip operation, after a fall. The Mother’s Union prayer was said together. Various items of business were attended to, including the names collected of those wishing to go and celebrate Lady Day with Melbourne M.U. as they are celebrating their millennium this year. There will be a coach to the service on Tuesday 25th March.
Names were also taken for our visit to see Fr. Keith and his churches in Buxton, on Wednesday 30th July, instead of our usual meeting that month.
Ruth introduced our speaker, Rev. Rachael Gouldthorpe and her dog ‘Bobby dazzler’. Rachael used to live in Newbold until she went to Brighton aged 18, to help with a homeless scheme. She told us how this, in turn, led to her feeling drawn into entering the ministry and how she trained part time, whilst running a hostel for the homeless!
She is now the vicar of Bolsover and so has returned to Derbyshire. We heard stories of her work with the homeless which were both sad but in many cases, very uplifting. Bobby dazzler lived up to his name and charmed everyone. Rachael was presented with a book token and warm thanks for her talk.
The meeting finished at 4pm and it was still raining as members went home.
Ruth Cable (Committee Member)