We are now in preparation for our next 185 year event, celebrating 185 years since Christ Church Walmsley was built (in 1839).
Other dates are also becoming important: on 18 June 1844, Robert Peel’s Conservative government passed the Act to create “The Chapelry District of Walmsley”. Thus our Parish boundary** was created. So on Saturday 29 June this year – to mark 180 years since the creation of Walmsley Parish – we are having an OUTDOOR OPEN DAY.
You can walk the 14 miles of the Parish boundaries in 14 minutes!!
Our extremely knowledgeable Historian, Derek Bailey, will be leading groups around our grounds, pointing out graves of interesting people. Did you know that the creator of BOLTON WANDERERS – Rev Wright – is buried here.
Our Junior Church leader, Jenny Murphy, will be organising a treasure hunt for children and their parents.
Our Tuesday ECO GROUP, who have already achieved amazing results clearing graves, will be continuing work near the Ashworth Gate.
Our willing volunteer, Ed Crosland, will be re-building a rather large drystone wall.
We will be denoting the area known on the plan as ‘New Ground’ (although rather old) as a RE-WILDING SCHEME.
There will be a plant stall, for which we hope you will donate plants.
And, of course, we shall have a Tea & Coffee bar with cakes, biscuits, etc..
Obviously, we would like your support on that day, so please put it into your diaries.
We would also like you – those who are able – to work with us over the next few weeks in preparation for this event.
We have publicity materials available – posters and flyers – for you to PLEASE place in local shops, pubs, etc…
This is your church. YES: YOUR church … and in much need of repair. So: please support us in this project. Come and let us know what you can do. Thank you.
Please contact KEN HOLT or REV HANNAH LANE for more information or to offer help in any way.
**PARISH BOUNDARY
When our Parish Boundary was created, there were no maps available. The boundary was pointed out by naming specific places and by following the contours of the land, rivers and streams. Church members would then put specific markers at certain points and would walk the boundary; this was known as ‘BEATING THE BOUNDS’. Adults and children would walk together so that children would remember where the boundary was for the next generation.
