Bradford North Circuit

Wednesday 8th January came all too quickly and as I woke up, I wondered “Has it snowed?”! This was our sixth Holiday at Home in January and we have never had to cancel one, due to bad weather. On this occasion, the weather was very good. At St Andrew’s the swans’ feet began to arrive; the tables needed laying and the kitchen setting up to feed the mighty hordes of secret biscuit nibblers. Volunteers and helpers began arriving at 9 o’clock and at 9:30 the first guests arrived. By 10 o’clock, all our guests were assembled. During our mid- morning munching, we were right royally entertained by Alex Smith, who performed mighty feats of magic and baffled everyone with his illusionary tricks. For lunch, we moved into the Church. We had a superb lunch as usual (Thank you to St. Christopher’s Church.) Everyone enjoyed playing Pass the Sprout or Penguin. After lunch, we were entertained by Emma, who had a song for everyone. Presents were handed out and there was much jollity and h...

I wonder what the weather’s like? Oh, no! Snow and ice. I will have to call off Holiday at Home; no-one will get out of their homes. Hold on! It is only Wednesday 17 January. We have a week to go! I wonder what the weather’s like? Oh, good! Rain and wind. At least the guests will arrive, now the ice has gone. 10:00am and most people have arrived and the buns and cakes are disappearing fast. Chris Ellerton transfixed everyone with his painting skills and his artistry with a paintbrush. Lunch was a fun affair, with lots of chatting and good food to eat. After lunch we were entertained by Stevie Long, who sang songs and had some people dancing. After the entertainer, we held a simple communion service to finish. We welcomed 54 guests and helpers to St. Andrew’s. We had a wonderful day of fun and companionship with each other. Our guests represented at least 7 Churches out of 15. I long to see all 15 churches represented. As well as our regular guests, we were glad to welc...

Bradford North H@H was set for 3/4/5th July. On Monday 3rd July, we found over 53 guests and helpers descend on St. Andrews at 10am. We had several first timers, who soon settled in and began to enjoy themselves. The morning was taken up with getting to know one another and having a couple of quizzes. Tuesday 4th July dawned bright and our coach (nice and new) arrived on time and so did our happy wanderers. We set off towards Liverpool to Knowsley Safari Park. Upon arrival, we had a delightful lunch. After lunch, we boarded our cage (coach) to go and see the animals, who were free. We were not allowed to go round the baboon enclosure as the coach could be damaged. Wednesday 5th July dawned all too quickly. This morning we were introduced to Chris Ellerton, who is an artist. He showed us how easy it is to do oil painting. Well, he made it look easy. This was very enjoyable and involved our participation. After lunch, we were royally entertained by the Bradford Ukelele Band. E...

We pick our days! The morning started out very windy and our wonderful, determined guests arrived very windswept at St. Andrew’ s. However the atmosphere was warm & welcoming inside. After refreshments, we were royally entertained by Geoff Twentyman who had us casting our minds back to the 1940s, 50s and 60’ s, in the days of steam-driven radio. This involved a lot of head-scratching about who said what. Everyone was soon transported into another era. Lunch followed. Which everyone enjoyed. After lunch, everyone was entertained with the delightful voice of Cathy Ryan. She led a delightful time of excellent songs. We finished the day with communion, to give thanks to God for this wonderful time we had had. The chauffeurs arrived and everyone was escorted back to their homes. (By this time the wind had given up!!!!!!!!!) I would like to take this opportunity to thank the most wonderful team of helpers for all that they did, in transporting guests, feeding and wate...

July the 4 th is Independence Day in the USA. It was also Independence day for the people of Bradford North Circuit. Holiday at Home descended once again on St. Andrew’s Church. This year, we had more guests than ever before. We had new guests from Baildon, Saltaire and St. Andrew’s. Monday 4 th July The day began with everyone getting to know one another. The Agape area was soon buzzing with conversation. Vast amounts of cakes, buns etc. along with gallons of tea were consumed. Shortly after we moved into the church for lunch. Once again our food providers at St Christopher's did us proud. The word DIET was banned for these three days. The fresh cream trifle was to die for. We also care for our helpers! After Lunch we enjoyed games. Believe it or not, Snakes & Ladders was popula...

This winter has been one of rain and floods and people having to evacuate their homes. The news has been depressing. Well, all that has changed for our intrepid Holiday at Homers. Wednesday 13 th January was cold but bright. The frost was on the ground when a group of about 50 people descended on St. Andrew’s Church for the Holiday at Home celebration. We were introduced to a potted history of Bradford and then a mind-stretching quiz about recognising famous people from the 1920’s, 30’s & 40’s. Trevor R from Haworth Road Church regaled us with very humorous accounts and poems, regarding our more senior years. Having had our appetites whetted, we moved into the church for lunch. Once again the food was wonderful in both quality and quantity. The one thing about Holiday at Home is you never go away hungry. It never ceases to amaze me how much food disappears. After lunch, we were royally entertained by Stevie L, who took us back to the 1950’s. He caused a few heart...

Holiday at home has returned - bigger and better than ever before! On the 6, 7, & 8 th July 2015, St Andrew’s Church was confiscated by over 35 wonderful people, (of Tender Years). Our Staff were working hard to prepare for the arrival of our guests on Monday 6 th July. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of food these seniors can put away! Monday started gently with everyone having a get-to-know you natter, over tea, coffee and cakes. There was much chatting and much catching up on all the news.  After lunch, there were some very serious gaming sessions. All too soon it was the end of day one. Tuesday 7 th July started early and at 09:44 (one minute  early), our coach set off to visit the Cathedral City of York. Our first coach-stop was to board a river cruise and see the city from the River Ouse. This was a novel experience for most of us. Th...

On the 6th, 7th and 8th July at St. Andrews Church , Undercliffe, there will be 3 days of fun and enjoyment for those who come.  This is the programme which has been planned:- Monday: at Church with chatting, games and food. Tuesday: a trip to York with a River Cruise, 3 Course Lunch and a guided tour of York Minster Wednesday: at Church with fun, food, and entertainment. The bookings will open in May, so get yourselves ready and make a note of the dates. If you have not been before, Holiday at Home is primarily for elderly people who would not normally get a holiday. If you go to a relatives caravan for a couple of weekends, that does not exclude you. If you go to the Bahamas for 4 months a year, well - that is a different story! If you need more details before you decide whether to go, please contact myself and I will be happy to tell you more. To those who have been before - I look forward to seeing you again. This is for anyone throughout the circuit. I will giv...

On Tuesday 13 th January at 7:30 pm at St. Andrews , I uttered the fateful words “There will be no snow, I have banned it”. At 7:31 pm, it began to snow! On Wednesday 14 th it snowed. We decided to go ahead with the celebration, and after anxious phone calls from various people, we prepared to receive our guests. The weather might have been inclement, but the warmth of fun in the church was wonderful. Everyone was having a great time. After a vast quantity of tea/coffee and cakes, buns, etc, we settled down to a game of Musical Bingo. A visitor commented: “How can they guess the tunes, when they are all singing the songs?” Well, that is part of the magic. Soon it was lunch and everyone had a right royal feast. (We had declared the day a non-diet day!) After a delightful lunch we were entertained b...

Monday 7 th July was a lovely sunny morning. People awoke with a sense of excitement. Holiday at Home was here at last. “Where is St. Andrew’s?” people asked. “Will my lift arrive on time?” “Will I enjoy this?” Well, at about 10.15 am, these questions were beginning to be answered. 42 Guests and helpers descended upon St Andrew's Methodist Church . All morning, there was the happy sound of chattering and cups of tea, with cakes and biscuits being devoured. Everyone was warned that diets were strictly to be left at home.  After a wonderful lunch, there was much amusement with musical Bingo and some grudge games of scrabble and dominoes. All too soon it was time to go home. Tuesday 8 th July dawned bright and fair. People were beginning to arrive but where was the coach?  It duly arrived and everyone began to board. Amazingly, we left on time at 9.30 am. First stop the Cherry Lane Garden Centre for loos, drinks and cake. It was like a plague of locusts on the ...