Katy says,” I have been in performance all my life, my mother ran a dance school so from an early age I have been surrounded by the arts and performance” Katy is classically trained in ballet, tap and modern dance and she has been teaching children to dance and enjoy exercise for many years. She is a very positive and high energy person having studied music, drama and performance at college level. Her group aims to create a space for families to come together and make memories with their children using music, and movement. She wants to unite our community with laughter and love. The sessions are aimed at pre-school children, you are guaranteed a warm welcome, you and they will feel safe and at ease. For more information contact Katy either on 07842505730 or by email at wizpoppersbabyandtoddlergroup@gmail.comPlease note that this activity is not run by the Church so if you have any questions please could you direct them directly to Katy.
There is a special kind of Christmas magic that happens when someone wins a raffle prize they were secretly hoping for. A hamper full of treats. A box of chocolates. A cosy candle. A mystery gift that turns out to be just right. It is cheerful, simple, and wonderfully festive.Our annual Christmas Raffle is on the way, and we need your help to make it sparkle.We are now collecting donations for raffle prizes. If you have something lovely to give, please pop it in the donation box at the back of the church. Big gifts, small gifts, handmade gifts, shop-bought gifts, all are welcome as long as they are suitable, complete, and ready to make someone smile.Why the Christmas Raffle MattersA Christmas raffle is more than a table full of prizes and a flurry of tickets. It is one of those happy little traditions that brings people together.It gives everyone a reason to linger after church, chat over who might win what, and enjoy a bit of festive fun. It also raises funds that support the life and work of the church, from practical needs to community activities that help keep the doors open and the welcome warm.The best part is that everyone can take part. Some people donate a prize. Some buy tickets. Some help arrange the table. Some simply cheer when the winning numbers are called. Put together, those small acts create something joyful.And yes, there is always that one prize everyone has their eye on.What Makes a Good Raffle Donation?The easiest answer is this: something you would be happy to win yourself.Raffle prizes do not need to be expensive. They just need to feel thoughtful, useful, fun, or festive. A modest gift can be just as popular as a grand one if it is chosen with care.Here are a few ideas that usually go down well:Boxes of chocolates or biscuitsAlways a crowd-pleaser, especially at Christmas.Festive food treatsJams, chutneys, sweets, crackers, mince pies, or small luxury items.Toiletry setsHand cream, bath sets, soaps, or pamper gifts in unopened packaging.Candles and home giftsCosy, simple, and easy to wrap.Gift vouchersEven small amounts are useful and popular.Books, puzzles, and gamesGreat for families, quiet evenings, and Christmas holidays.Handmade itemsKnitted goods, crafts, preserves, decorations, or anything made with care.Children’s giftsNew toys, craft kits, books, or games suitable for younger raffle winners.If you are creating a small hamper, even better. A “tea and biscuits” hamper, a “cosy night in” basket, or a “Christmas treats” bundle can look brilliant without costing a fortune.A Few Helpful Donation TipsTo make sorting and displaying the raffle prizes easier, please keep donations in good condition and ready to use. New or unused items are best, especially for toiletries, food, toys, and gifts.If you are donating food, please check the date. Items with a good shelf life are ideal. If something contains common allergens, it helps if the label is clear and intact.For handmade food items, please include a small note with the contents. That way, everything can be shared safely and confidently.If your donation is fragile, a little extra wrapping will be much appreciated. We want every prize to reach the raffle table looking its best, not sounding like a Christmas maraca.And if you are wondering whether your gift is “good enough”, the answer is probably yes. Raffles are built on generosity, not perfection.Where to Leave Your DonationThis is the easy bit.Please place your donation in the box at the back of the church. It will be clearly set aside for the Christmas Raffle, so you can drop off your gift when you come to church.No fuss. No forms. No complicated instructions. Just bring your donation and pop it in the box.If you are giving several items that belong together, such as pieces for a hamper, it helps to keep them in one bag or box. A small note saying “for raffle hamper” is useful too.The donation box will be checked regularly, and every gift will be gathered, sorted, and prepared for raffle day.Every donation adds another little burst of Christmas cheer.Small Gifts Can Make a Big DifferenceSometimes people hesitate because they think their donation needs to be impressive. It really does not.A single box of biscuits can become part of a hamper. A candle can sit beside a book and a mug to make a cosy prize. A small toy can light up a child’s face. A voucher can be tucked into an envelope and become one of the most useful prizes on the table.The fun of a raffle comes from variety. A good prize table has a bit of everything. Some treats. Some surprises. A few practical gifts. A few silly ones. A few that make people say, “Oh, I hope I win that.”That mix only happens when lots of people give what they can.So if you spot a two-for-one offer, have an unopened gift at home, or enjoy making something festive, please think of the raffle. Your donation could be the prize that makes someone’s day.Let’s Fill the BoxThe Christmas Raffle is one of those lovely church traditions that depends on shared kindness. No one has to do everything. Everyone can do something.Bring a gift. Tell a friend. Encourage someone else to donate. If you are shopping and see something cheerful, pop it in your basket for the raffle. If you are having a pre-Christmas tidy-up and find a new, unused gift that needs a home, now it has one.A full donation box means a brighter raffle table.Every item helps build the fun. Every donation adds to the prize table. Every thoughtful gift supports the church community.So this Christmas, let’s make the raffle as cheerful, generous, and slightly chaotic as all the best church events tend to be.Please bring your raffle donations and place them in the box at the back of the church. Thank you for helping make this year’s Christmas Raffle a joyful one.
St Paul’s Church in Monk Bretton is celebrating the roaring success of its historic 150th anniversary festival, which brought local residents together for a memorable week of music, food, and shared memories.<ul><li>A Community United: The landmark anniversary week wrapped up last night, successfully marking 150 years of parish life since the church foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1876.</li><li>History Brought to Life: Throughout the entire week, crowds packed into the Grade II listed church to browse an extensive exhibition of rare photos and memorabilia tracking a century and a half of village activities.</li></ul>A Spectacular First Weekend<ul><li>Musical Opening: The celebrations began on Sunday 5 July with a stunning afternoon music recital featuring the talented church organist and special guest performers.</li><li>Packed Afternoon Tea: Immediately following the music, attendees enjoyed a completely sold-out, lively afternoon tea inside the beautifully decorated church building.</li><li>Sacred Traditions: The opening weekend drew to a moving close with a traditional Book of Common Prayer Choral Evensong, featuring beautiful liturgical music by Leeds chamber choir The Pusey Consort.</li></ul>Brass and Praise<ul><li>Songs of Praise: The historic week officially concluded on Sunday evening with a powerful, uplifting "Songs of Praise" service, filled with the community's favourite hymns and a deep sense of gratitude for the past 150 years.</li></ul>A Heartfelt Message of ThanksThe parish organisers have extended a massive thank you to everyone who made this milestone week so unforgettable:<ul><li>To Our Guests: A huge thank you goes to every single person from the local community and surrounding districts who came along to join in, fill the pews, and share in the celebrations.</li><li>To Our Performers: Heartfelt thanks to the talented musicians and special guests who performed at the opening recital for setting such a wonderful tone for the week.</li><li>To Our Volunteers: Immense gratitude goes to the dedicated team of volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare and serve both the afternoon tea and the pie and pea supper.</li><li>To Our Service Contributors: Thank you to all the readers and players who contributed their talents to the final "Songs of Praise" service, making it an incredibly moving finale.</li><li>To the Whole Community: To absolutely everyone who lent memorabilia, set up displays, or helped in any way—thank you for making this 150th anniversary truly special.</li></ul>Keep the Memories AliveIf you missed any of the festivities or want to look back at photos and highlights from the anniversary week, visit the parish website at <a href="https://www.stpaulsmonkbretton.com/">stpaulsmonkbretton.com</a>.
