Calendar News and Service information 2026

 SERVICES:  Sunday morning services start at 10.45 am. Children are most welcome at all Chapel services.

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Date

Minister

Organist

Flowers

Refreshments

Steward

5 Apr

Vince McCully

D Williamson

L Readett

M Jones

E Taylor

12 Apr

TBA

D Williamson

L Readett

M Sixsmith

J Poole

19 Apr

Rev Tina Gandhi

D Jones

L Readett

J Coles

M Sixsmith

26 Apr

Rev Tina Gandhi

R Steedman

L Readett

S Darbey

G Leigh

3 May

TBA

D Williamson

L Readett

J Hodgson

D Williams

 

 

“EASTER PARADE”:  On Easter Sunday there will be an ”Easter Parade” of hats in memory of Pauline Hill.  There will be prizes for the best adult and child’s hat.

 

MAUREEN’BIRTHDAY.  We all enjoyed the birthday buffet prepared by Margaret Sixsmith and Janice to celebrate Maureen’s 90th birthday.  The birthday cake decoration was ordered by Muriel and David Shallcross paid tribute to Maureen and Roy’s long service to the Chapel, which included creating a visual record of past Rose Queens now on display in the vestibule.  Maureen would like to express her thanks to all who were involved in her 90th birthday celebrations. The cake, flowers and cards were lovely.

Coffee Morning/ warm space, breakfast club every Tuesday 10.30.till 12 noon

Free Advice every 3rd Tuesday of the month:

Laura from Groundwork will be at our free coffee mornings at Chowbent Chapel, Atherton, every 3rd Tuesday of the month to give free advice on bills, maximising income, and saving money. So why not come along? 
She’s next with us on Tuesday 21st April 10.30am to 12pm.

NUMBERS CLUB:  1st prize: 34 M Birchall, £50; 2nd prize: 90 J Tonge, £30, donated to the restoration fund; 3rd prize: R Birchall, 24, £20; 4th prize: 62 Janet Scott, £15, donated to the restoration fund.  February 2026

 

VACANCY: The Chapel needs a Treasurer or Bookkeeper.  David Evans deals with investments and David Shallcross is responsible for several accounts but at present is also dealing with the general account, donations and payments.  If you or someone you know can help please get in touch with David Shallcross.

 

CARETAKER: Phil Grundy will retire as our caretaker at the end of March. We wish Phil a long and healthy retirement. In his place, David Basnett will take over. 

 

SURGERY:  On the 31st March, Clare Grace Williamson will be undergoing surgery to remove a large tumour from her colon. She has had to cancel her upcoming visits to Chowbent. We send all our good wishes to her.  This is so sad as Clare has had previous Ill health and seemed to be on her way to good health, only recently running a 10K.

 

FUNDRAISING:  Contact David Shallcross at the Chapel or email: chowbenter@gmail.com to join the Chapel numbers club, to buy and dedicate a hymn book,  a chalice badge or a copy of the book "The Story of Chowbent Chapel. by J.J. Wright.   For copies of “Chowbent Chapel and the Organs” by Bryan Hughes contact Dorothy Williamson.  For weekly donation envelopes; please contact Geoff Leigh.  If you are able to replace your envelope contribution by a standing order this would be much appreciated. 

GIFT AID:  White A4 Charity Gift Aid Declaration forms are located in the trough under each of the Chapel’s notice boards.

 

CALENDAR:  If you can print a copy of the calendar for someone who is not able to get it electronically that would be much appreciated.  Items for the next calendar, eg dates of events, news of people, should be with me, Dorothy, by Sunday, 19 April.

 




SERVICES:  Sunday morning services start at 10.45 am. Children are most welcome at all Chapel services.

 

Date

Minister

Organist

Flowers

Refreshments

Steward

1 Mar

Rev Tina Gandhi

D Williamson

M Jones

M Sixsmith

J Poole

8 Mar

Rev Tina Gandhi

R Steedman

L Readett

J Coles

M Sixsmith

15 Mar

Janet Poole

D Williamson

L Readett

S Darbey

G Leigh

22 Mar

Cathy Brennan

D Jones

L Readett

J Hodgson

D Williams

29 Mar

 

Jean Longworth

D Williamson

L Readett

C Worthington

J Readett

5 Apr

Vince McCully

D Williamson

L Readett

M Jones

E Taylor

 

“EASTER PARADE”  As a tribute to Pauline Hill, we ask those who can to decorate a simple hat in time for Easter Sunday, 5 April. Prizes for best adult hat and best child’s hat.  See poster.

 

CHOIR REHEARSALS for Easter: 1 pm Thursday, 19 and 26 March and 2 April, Sunday, 22 and 28 March.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAUREEN.  Maureen Birchall turns 90 on 1 March. Congratulations and best wishes for many happy returns of the day.

 

NUMBERS CLUB:  1st prize: 34 M Birchall, £50; 2nd prize: 90 J Tonge, £30, donated to the restoration fund; 3rd prize: R Birchall, 24, £20; 4th prize: 62 Janet Scott, £15, donated to the restoration fund.  February 2026

 

FLOWERS15 February in loving memory of Patricia and Peter John Vernon given by their sister, Dorothy Williamson

 

CARETAKER:  We are sorry to learn that due to ongoing health issues Philip Grundy will be retiring as Caretaker.  Phil has served in this capacity for several years and also taken responsibility for Hall bookings so his work will be greatly missed.  We wish Phil all the best for improving health and relaxation. 

 

We will, of course, need someone to take over from him and anyone who is available, or knows of someone else who might be interested, can contact David Shallcross, Chairman of Trustees.  Duties include opening and closing the Chapel gates and doors for Sunday Service and the hall for the after-service tea. There are other times that the hall needs to be opened and closed after functions. Hours and rates of pay are negotiable.

 

FUNDRAISING:  Contact David Shallcross at the Chapel or email: chowbenter@gmail.com to join the Chapel numbers club, to buy and dedicate a hymn book,  a chalice badge or a copy of the book "The Story of Chowbent Chapel. by J.J. Wright.   For copies of “Chowbent Chapel and the Organs” by Bryan Hughes contact Dorothy Williamson.  For weekly donation envelopes; please contact Geoff Leigh.  If you are able to replace your envelope contribution by a standing order this would be much appreciated. 

GIFT AID:  White A4 Charity Gift Aid Declaration forms are located in the trough under each of the Chapel’s notice boards.

 

CALENDAR:  If you can print a copy of the calendar for someone who is not able to get it electronically that would be much appreciated.  Items for the next calendar, eg dates of events, news of people, should be with me, Dorothy, by Sunday, 22 March.

 
















SERVICES:  Sunday morning services start at 10.45 am. Children are most welcome at all Chapel services.

 

SERVICES: Sunday morning services start at 10.45 am. Children are most

Welcome at all Chapel service   Minister Organist Flowers Refreshments 

 Williamson L Readett S Darbey G Leigh


22


D Jones L Readett J Hodgson D Williams


29

Ma

r

Jean

Longwort

h


D Williamson L Readett C Worthington J Readett


5

Apr

Vince

McCully


D Williamson L Readett M Jones E Taylor


“EASTER PARADE” As a tribute to Pauline Hill, we ask those who

can to decorate a simple hat in time for Easter Sunday, 5 April. Prizes

for best adult hat and best child’s hat. See poster.

CHOIR REHEARSALS for Easter: 1 pm Thursday, 19 and 26 March

and 2 April, Sunday, 22 and 28 March.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAUREEN. Maureen Birchall turns 90 on

1 March. Congratulations and best wishes for many happy returns of

the day.


NUMBERS CLUB: 1st prize: 34 M Birchall, £50; 2nd prize: 90 J

Tonge, £30, donated to the restoration fund; 3rd prize: R Birchall,

24, £20; 4th prize: 62 Janet Scott, £15, donated to the restoration

fund. February 2026

FLOWERS: 15 February in loving memory of Patricia and Peter

John Vernon given by their sister, Dorothy Williamson

CARETAKER: We are sorry to learn that due to ongoing health

issues Philip Grundy will be retiring as Caretaker. Phil has served

in this capacity for several years and also taken responsibility for

Hall bookings so his work will be greatly missed. We wish Phil all

the best for improving health and relaxation.

We will, of course, need someone to take over from him and

anyone who is available, or knows of someone else who might be

interested, can contact David Shallcross, Chairman of Trustees.

Duties include opening and closing the Chapel gates and doors

for Sunday Service and the hall for the after-service tea. There are

other times that the hall needs to be opened and closed after

functions. Hours and rates of pay are negotiable.

FUNDRAISING:  Contact David Shallcross at the Chapel or email:

chowbenter@gmail.com to join the Chapel numbers club, to buy

and dedicate a hymn book,  a chalice badge or a copy of the book

&quot The Story of Chowbent Chapel. by J.J. Wright. For copies of

“Chowbent Chapel and the Organs” by Bryan Hughes contact

Dorothy Williamson. For weekly donation envelopes, please

contact Geoff Leigh. If you are able to replace your envelope

contribution with a standing order, this would be much appreciated. 

GIFT AID: White A4 Charity Gift Aid Declaration forms are

located in the trough under each of the Chapel’s notice boards.

CALENDAR: If you can print a copy of the calendar for someone

who is not able to get it electronically, that would be much

appreciated. Items for the next calendar, e.g., dates of events,


News of people should be with me, Dorothy, by Sunday, 22 March.

Date

Minister

Organist

Flowers

Refreshments

Steward

4 Jan

Rev Tina Gandhi

D Williamson

L Readett

C Worthington

J Readett

11 Jan

Rev Tina Gandhi

D Williamson

L Readett

M Jones

E Taylor

18 Jan

Rev C Vanden Broeder

D Williamson

M Jones

M Sixsmith

J Poole

25 Jan

Rev Tina Gandhi

R Steedman

M Jones

J Coles

M Sixsmith

1 Feb

Rev Tina Gandhi

D Williamson

M Jones

S Darbey

G Leigh

 

TOY SERVICE:  The Chapel welcomed the Chowbent School choir and many of their families to a Toy Service which everyone enjoyed.  The children sang beautifully and the toys given were to be donated to the Salvation Army for distribution to children in Atherton who would otherwise not have many presents.  The service was led by Tina, who has built up a strong relationship with the school in her time at Chowbent, which sadly will come to an end in April, when she takes up an appointment at Walmsley.

 

CAROL SERVICE:  More than 100 people attended the Carol Service, which included the Naming Ceremony for Lydia Florence Owen, granddaughter of trustee, Joyce Tyldesley.  Only 13 weeks old, Lydia slept peacefully through most of the service in spite of some great singing of carols by the congregation and special items by the choir, .Anoushka and Rohan added a charming nativity scene to accompany the choir singing ‘Jesus Child’. Mince pies and brownies added a festive touch to the usual after-service refreshments.

 

CHAPEL OF THE WEEK:  The Chapel has been awarded "Chapel of the Week" by the National Churches Trust for our comprehensive maintenance  programme to our Grade 2 Star Building, thanks to David Shallcross who organised the work and entered the Chapel for the award.

 

ORGAN DONATIONThe Chapel has received a  generous donation of £2000.00 from Blanche & Ian Collier's estate. Blanch, a longstanding member of the choir, requested that it go to the organ fund and asked her family to make this donation on behalf of herself and her husband, Ian.

 

FLOWERS 14 December In loving memory of Mr & Mrs John Vernon given by their daughter Dorothy.   28th December  in loving memory of Ivy Kniveton given by her daughter, Lynne.

 

TUESDAY COFFEE MORNINGS:  On 9 December great fun was had at the Tuesday Coffee Morning, party with the raffle providing funds for the continuation of the Coffee Mornings.

 

NUMBERS CLUB:  Winning numbers:    1st £50 C Hodgson, 2nd £30 L Fildes, 3rd  £20 L Fildes, 4th £15 B Catherall.  Thank you to all members for their support.

 

LAY WORSHIP LEADERS TRAINING DAY at Walmsley Unitarian Chapel, Bolton, BL7 9PR, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, 13 June.  If you wish to attend please email Admin@unitarian-college.org.uk. The training includes lunch, which is free and funded by NELUM. Please see insert.

 

CALENDAR:  If you can print a copy of the calendar for someone who is not able to get it electronically that would be much ppreciated.  Items for the next calendar, eg dates of events, news of people, should be with me, Dorothy, by Sunday, 18 January.

 

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