Our puppet ministry is a much‑loved part of our worship and outreach across the benefice — in church, at Messy Church, and in our local schools. It’s a joyful, creative way to share the love of Jesus in a fun and accessible way for all ages.We are currently looking for new volunteers to join the team. You don’t need previous experience, and there are no age limits — just a willingness to get involved and help bring stories to life. If you’re curious, interested, or simply want to find out more, we’d be delighted to chat with you about how you could make a difference.Rehearsals: Thursdays at 5.30pm (1 hour) Contact: Stephanie – stephhiwalton@btinternet.com Safeguarding: A DBS will be required.
THE ACTOR’S APOLOGYSo, who is this actor who needs to apologise?Well, for sure it isn’t Dean Taylor who takes the lead role in his latest production for St. Leonard’s church in Walton-le-Dale.St.Leonard’s is one of the oldest churches in Lancashire and, for over ten years, a group of ‘Friends’ have been working to raise money to repair and restore it’s beautiful stained glass windows.Dean has been amazing, so very supportive of our endeavours. He has spent so many hours rehearsing a series of parts for the plays we have put on. He has been Richard the Third, Oliver Cromwell. Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Byron, Macbeth and Prince Albert. We have been shown a different perspective on each of these characters and have been challenged to re asses the common narrative given in literature. Now, the latest character to be brought before us by Dean is Frederick Cooke……the actor called upon to apologise.Do come and join us for this very special evening. It’s at St.Leonard’s Church Walton-le-Dale PR5 4BH on Saturday 23rd May at 7 pm, ( doors open at 6.30pm). Tickets cost £15 and include delicious refreshments. They are available from Hilary Anslow 07734267764 and Audrey Jackson 079866322219.
We will shortly carry out essential work in the Garden of Remembrance and the wider churchyard. To help us do this respectfully, we kindly ask that any items placed in either the Garden of Remembrance or the churchyard without prior permission be removed by their families within 30 days of 04.05.26. This helps us keep these spaces safe, tidy, and consistent with the guidelines that ensure everyone’s memorials are cared for equally. Any items that remain once this work begins will be carefully removed and stored for three months so that families have the opportunity to collect them. We also kindly remind everyone that all memorials and items placed in the churchyard must comply with the Churchyard Regulations. A copy of these regulations is available to view in the church or on the Diocese of Blackburn website. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch with Revd Stephen Martin on 01772 335310 or speak to the Churchwardens.
Rt Rev. Philip North has issued a powerful New Year video message in which he urges people to live ‘All for Jesus’ – which is also the theme for the centenary of The Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) in 2026.The message is embedded above to watch or you can click for the video on YouTube. It is on other Diocesan social channels too, including Facebook/BlackburnDiocese. Download text versions for sharing with people not online or placing on noticeboards here in Word format and also PDF formatIt arrives just ahead of the launch (on Sunday, January 4 and all next week) of a year of celebrations for the centenary in parishes and schools, including two huge Zoom broadcasts led by Bishop Philip and coordinated by the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE).The DBE anticipates many thousands of schoolchildren will take part in those.In his message as the Diocese enters a milestone year, the Bishop of Blackburn reflects on words from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians in the Bible: ‘Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him’.In doing so, Bishop Philip challenges everyone to consider what truly motivates their lives.“For the Christian,” he says, “there is only one motivation … everything – our work, our leisure, our family life – everything is done in the name of Jesus. Everything is for him.”This year marks the centenary of the Diocese of Blackburn, celebrating 100 years of parishes, chaplaincies and schools. It’s also the centenary of Blackburn Cathedral; founded at the same time as the Diocese.Exciting events are planned across the year, culminating in a centenary celebration at the Cathedral on November 12, the actual date the Diocese and Cathedral were founded.This page on the Diocesan website collates everything in one place about what’s happening.The year kicks off officially this Sunday (January 4) and all next week when parishes and church schools are being encouraged to hold special services and events to launch the year and to post about what’s happening locally on their socials; tagging the Diocesan social channels, using #cofelancs100.
