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 150th 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
Woodlands Methodist Church 