A Tale of Two Harvests – or how the idea for the Anniversary Project came about.

Autumn 2017

Last year as we prepared for Harvest, I really wasn’t feeling well.  There was cleaning and flower arranging and baking to do over the weekend and then the service on the Sunday.  Jill and Richard – our stalwarts needed to be elsewhere that day and the congregation was small.  I found myself thinking – is this it?  I voiced my concern to Norman on the pew in front and he replied : ‘if this Chapel closes it will be another beacon gone out in the Peak.’  There was a poster above his head advertising the Chapel Centenary in 1968 and I realised that next year (this year) would be Chapel’s 150^th year and we discussed the idea of communicating more with the community so that people know about Chapel and its services, in the anniversary year.

Autumn 1989

I thought back to the first harvest service we attended in 1989.  Pat and Maurice Cottrill were looking after Chapel and made sure that people knew about the services but also that they were invited along to help.  Our first autumn, Maurice invited me along and I found a small crowd of people working inside and out – making the paths clear, cleaning, flower arranging and bringing flowers and produce.  It was a sociable and jolly time.  The harvest itself was abundant with flowers and produce, fruit, veg, jams, preserves and a harvest sheaf baked by Sheila which was auctioned and went on to other harvests…  Maurice brought hawthorn and rowan from the lane, and mushrooms from the fields for the auction.  A brace of grouse hung off the pulpit, thanks to Roger and were bid for eagerly as were the flower arrangements by Sheila and Angela.  The evening of the auction the chapel was full with lots of children eager to bid for the sweets that Maurice kept producing periodically through the evening.  As well as the entertainment of the auction, there was also a fine tea afterwards.

Chapel still looks lovely, we still have lots of home produce, and Richard is an able and amusing auctioneer.  The only difference is that there are fewer and fewer people to enjoy it.  On the Snake, two properties are empty, and two families have moved away.  Life has changed as well.  Nonetheless, it is quite possible that there are those who would enjoy an old fashioned harvest festival and auction if they were invited –  and that is the point of this year.  We are making ourselves known or reminding those who know but whose lives have taken them elsewhere.  Chapel is still there, we still have services and we want to welcome folk to come and share with us and enjoy our worship.

We also want to tell Chapel’s story and to hear from those who have been involved over the years whether recently or long ago.  We are collecting photos, press cuttings and comments on our facebook page, and publishing contributions on our blog.  Do think about writing something for us or if you would be willing to talk to someone, we would be happy to visit and write up your reminiscences.

What will next harvest bring?  I wonder?

Judy Skelton

Photo Harvest 1993

 

 

2011

This account of Chapel’s renovations was published in the Derby Church Net News :

http://www.derbychurch.net/news/?year=2011&id=35

 

Refit for Historic Chapel

Rural premises brought up to date

Travelling along the A57 from Ladybower towards Glossop, about four miles from Ladybower, a stone building stands isolated in a field on the right hand side of the road. This is Woodlands Methodist Chapel. It was built in 1868 by local farmers, who provided the stone and built a chapel on land given by the Duke of Devonshire. Since the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton, when the Ladybower dams were built, this has been one the few public buildings in the area. It is about 6 miles from Bamford, the nearest village.

Following the deaths of Pat and Maurice Cottrill, who had for many years been the driving force in keeping the church open, the people in the locality felt the need to renovate the building in order to keep it available for the community. Money was raised and expertise provided. The building is now watertight, rewired, the floor replaced, a kitchen installed and water supply connected making it fit for 21st century use.

It will be a focal-point for the community throughout the year. There are only four services held each year, celebrating the seasons. In addition the Alport Love Feast is held in a barn at nearby Alport Farm. This is a simple meal of cake and spring water begun by non-conformists in the 1600’s as a thanksgiving for their safe arrival in these remote hills. It is celebrated by local Methodists in July each year.

On Sunday 17th July a Thanksgiving Celebration was held to celebrate the (near) completion of the work. It was led by Rev Fran Lane with Rev Steve Wild (Chairman of Cornwall Methodist District) speaking on the need for the expression of Christian love throughout the area and beyond. Steve, from his student days and his ministry at Cliff College, has long associations with Woodlands and he and Fran brought their usual warmth and vitality to the event. Following the service in true local tradition tea and cakes were served outside in the glorious sunshine.

The chapel was full to overflowing and the singing and fellowship inspired us all. The love of Jesus is so needed in our world. Let’s go out and share it with all we meet.

More about the blog

When we launched the blog at the beginning of the year, we did not know how it would work.  We are very grateful to those who have contributed so far and would love to hear from anyone else who would like to share anything at all.

All contributions are listed chronologically that means starting at the bottom and working up.  In addition they are categorised so that if you know what you are looking for, you can filter the posts although they will still be listed most recent first.

The right side of the page is fixed information.  There is a search followed by the categories and then a link to our Facebook page.  (We are using the Facebook page to let people know what is happening now and the blog to collect stories and reminiscences) The services for the year are also listed here.

If you wish to be notified of new posts by email, you can sign up just under the services.