Wollaton Road can be proud of the many projects it has initiated during its long history. Here’s a summary of some of those schemes (the list is not comprehensive).
TODDLER GROUP
Following the church modernisation in 1970, it was decided there was a need for a toddler group. It was started by the then Minister’s wife Elizabeth Burgess assisted by Margaret Corrall and Janet Wright and was quite successful for a number of years. After a short break Valerie Wright and Margaret Safhill continued with the group. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, Margaret Middleton started the group – and again this proved to be another success.
Following the death of Margaret, John and Irene Davie took it over. This toddler group ran for about ten years or so until John and Irene decided to retire. In 2009 the church decided to start up another toddler group called “Little Acorns.” Initially it was run by Kevin Hill, then by Jane Williams and finally by Paul Tivey, assisted by Jemma Baldry.
All the toddler groups were and are a good place where mums and carers can meet together and have a chat over refreshments. The project also provides opportunities for toddlers and young children to start to interact with others and learn to share the many toys and games.
“Little Acorns Toddler Group” is still going strong with 25 to 30 youngsters, plus adults, attending every week.
OUTLOOK
When the church magazine Outlook was launched in June, 1969, few people ever imagined it would run to over 500 editions. During its long history there were only three editors, Douglas Wright, Colin Sharpe and John Corrall (ably assisted by his wife Margaret).
Outlook was first published in the days before photo-copiers and computers were commonplace. The magazine cover was created on a home printing press and Douglas Wright and Colin Sharpe, who jointly edited the publication, began by typing every contribution offered to them. When all the items were assembled the whole document was re-typed on to stencils, proof read and corrected. Eventually the whole package was collated and run off on a duplicator, turned initially by hand but later electrically powered.
The 300th edition in 1995 thanked Terry Cox for re-designing the front cover and a foreword from the Minister, Rev Richard Atkinson, praised the high standard maintained by the magazine, describing it as readable, informative, entertaining and enduring. He also emphasised Outlook’s importance in keeping everyone informed about the many activities at Wollaton Road and the wider community.
The first issue produced on a computer was in February, 1998. By February 2000, John Corrall was using a desktop publisher to edit the magazine.
Over the years, Outlook’s pages recorded the passing of many faithful friends, including three great Wollaton Road characters, Laura Hodgkinson, Joe Hughes and Harry Morrell.
Mrs Hodgkinson – affectionately known to many as Aunty Laura – died in Broadgate Nursing Home, Beeston nursing home, aged 94.
A large congregation gathered at the church on February 16, 1999 to say “farewell” to Joe Hughes, who died, aged 101. A truly remarkable man, he fought at the Somme during the First World War. He savoured every moment of peacetime and he loved to paint and grow sweet peas in his garden.
The March, 2000 edition contained tributes to Harry Morrell, who died aged 86. His sure and steadfast faith carried him through terrible experiences in the Far East during the Second World War and many will recall how Harry often injected a spirited note into the service by urging us to repeat the last verse of a hymn or by asking God to bless the preacher and their loved ones.
The last issue of the much-loved Outlook – Number 502 – appeared in January, 2015. From February of that year, the magazine was incorporated into the Beeston Methodist Church Newsletter, which John continues to edit.
FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITY
Wollaton Road has a long tradition of supporting charities. Fundraising events have been organised since the early days of the church and during recent decades, many memorable activities have generated thousands of pounds for good causes at home and abroad.
A very popular money-making event was the annual mini market held every May. The highlight was the sale of bedding plants, grown by members and a nursery near Stanford Hall in Leicestershire.
A Victorian Market in November, 1996 saw our ladies resplendent in mob caps and crisp aprons and gentlemen in waistcoats and top hats. They were supported by a town crier exhorting passers-by to avail themselves of Wollaton Road bargains. The worthwhile result was £419 raised for Hayward House and church funds.
Two regulars on the Wollaton Road charity calendar – the Christmas and summer fair – plus many other events have, over the years, generated thousands of pounds for charity.
In 2006 Wollaton Road was filled with uplifting musical sounds as the church hosted a visit from the Salvation Army’s William Booth Memorial Band. They concluded their programme with a world premiere performance of a march specially written for the band by former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Steve Sutton. This was one of many memorable charity concerts held at the church.
When Colin Sharpe was church treasurer, he encouraged Wollaton Road to raise funds for a charity now known as Embrace the Middle East. Thanks to Tony and Maureen Beardsall that support and ongoing sponsorship of Yasmina has continued.
PORTACABIN
The portable building, acquired through the good offices of Colin Sharpe, was a useful church asset for a number of years. Sited at the rear of the premises, it provided additional space for the Junior Church, a venue for meetings when the church and school room was occupied and towards the end of its life was a temporary “home” for the Parish Pantry project, providing hot meals and basic snacks for homeless people. This project, originally started by Beeston Parish Church, moved in 2010 to the headquarters of Hope, housed in the former Boundary Road United Reformed Church in Boundary Road, Beeston.
KNIT AND NATTER GROUP
Started in January, 2014, the Knit and Natter Group quickly became well established. It began during a few evenings making decorations for the Christmon tree. Barbara Brown and Mary Higgins had a word with Muriel Barrett. She thought it was a very good idea and it was arranged to meet every Monday afternoon.
The ladies have made various things, beginning with teddy bears for a children’s home in the Holy Land after Muriel’s visit there. They also made glove puppets and items for Christmas and Easter and hats and mitts for shoe boxes. An array of items made for the craft stall at the church fairs raised money for the church charities.
All the ladies enjoy their drinks, biscuits and chatter and they welcome anyone who would like to join them. The group is now known as Knit, Natter, Craft and Sew.
CHURCH WALKING GROUP
Formed by John Corrall, the first walk on March 24, 1998 featured the Longshaw Estate in Derbyshire. There were just seven participants – John Corrall, Colin and June Sharpe, Cyril and Joyce Baumber and Joyce and Douglas Wright.
Interest grew rapidly and the group is still going strong. On the third Tuesday of each month, up to 25 walkers tackle a pleasant walk of up to six miles somewhere in the East Midlands.
Walks are undertaken at a leisurely pace with stops for coffee and a picnic lunch. Drivers kindly offer to take fellow walkers and in 2018 the group celebrated its 20th anniversary. During that time the group have completed more than 220 walks and raised a substantial amount for charity. On only five occasions has the walk had to be called off for bad weather. The group is now co-ordinated by Heather Brough, who has launched shorter walks to complement the longer ones.
COFFEE MORNINGS
Since 1971, the coffee mornings held each Saturday morning at Wollaton Road from 10am until noon have been a popular part of Beeston’s social scene.
For decades, people have converged on first the church and then the school room since 1972 to enjoy friendly fellowship while savouring a well-made, reasonable priced coffee or cup of tea with a biscuit or two. At the same time, they have helped raise thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes because once a month the proceeds from coffee mornings benefit Beeston Methodist Church charities.
OTHER ORGANISATIONS USING THE PREMISES
Following the refurbishment of the church kitchen, toilets and schoolroom in 1999, Wollaton Road welcomed various organisations who hired our premises. These have included the Dixie Derby Dance Group, an art group, Country Market, singing groups, Brownies, Slimming World and the Nottingham Immanuel Christian Fellowship.