Sheldon Jottings for December 2018

Now the clocks have been put back, the grass cut for the last time, bonfire night has been and gone, the leaves have fallen and the foggy and frosty mornings are ‘delighting’ us again – winter is almost here! Wonder what hibernation would be like? On second thoughts it would be such a waste of time when there is so much to be done, so much of interest to learn about.

In the middle of October we heard the sad news that Ken Brocklehurst had passed away. Ken was born in Sheldon and lived all his life here. In fact in many ways Sheldon and the farm he and his father built over their lifetimes was his life, along with his family and friends. Ken always wanted to be a farmer.

After his parents died in 1985 Ken continued to work Rose Farm on his own, focusing on sheep and large Simmental cattle. The quality of the animals he reared was well known. He won prizes for his sheep not only at the local Ashover Show, where he won ‘Best in Show’, but also at the East Midlands Show, a national event.

He had a great knowledge of the village and its inhabitants. He supported all that went on, quietly, without fuss and mostly unheralded. In 2012 he was awarded an ‘Excellence in the Community Award‘ by the County Council at a ceremony in the Dome in Buxton.

With the passing of Ken it seems to be the passing of an era here in our village. We will all miss him.

Following the funeral service at St Michael and All Angels Church in Sheldon, Ken was laid to rest in the churchyard alongside his mother and father. Our thoughts are with the family and all those who knew him – a very special man.

On the 31st October two small persons knocked on our door dressed to frighten – of course it was Halloween! It turned out to be George and Alice. We gave out chocolate and sweets and were rewarded with smiles and thank-you. Good for them – keeping traditions alive.

On a cold, foggy morning recently in Buxton, William J took his driving test. We are pleased to say that he passed with flying colours – life will never be the same now for Andrew and Amanda!

The Remembrance Service on the historic 11th November was very well attended in our church, as people wished to think seriously about those dreadful years, their aftermath and the global future. The service was taken by the Reverend Tony and he was assisted, as he said, by modern technology – a screen and projector that gave us the whole service interspersed with pictures from those WW1 years, including the war graves where ‘our men’ are buried. Quite an innovation for Sheldon we thought, so thank you Rev. Tony.

Do come to the Carol Service in Church on Sunday 23rd – it is always well worth it and we are told that singing is very good for us, especially community singing…

The Church Draw winner this month is Gillian Willerton with number 41.

A very Happy Christmas to everyone in the village and, of course, to our neighbours in Ashford.

DIARY DATES

Tuesday 4th December – Parish Meeting in Village Hall 7:30pm
Sunday 23rd December – Carol Service in Sheldon Church 4:00pm
Tuesday 25th Christmas Morning – Communion in Church 9:00am