ChadNet – no 344

ChadNet – no 344 – Sunday 25th October 2026

ChadNet - the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull

Welcome to this week’s edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.

In this week’s ChadNet:

View from the Pews

Memorial Book

The Memorial Book for St Chad’s and St Mary’s

In September 1995 we welcomed to Pattingham the Rev Gillian Bloomfield, our first female vicar. One of Gill’s early initiatives was to suggest to the PCC that the church should have a Memorial Book and Dave Sampson and I were asked to organise this.

Our enquiries led us to Trysull church and two very helpful members of the congregation there — the churchwarden, Barrie Powell, an expert calligrapher, and Robert Lee whose skills were in cabinet-making.

Title page

Bob was commissioned to make the stand which would house the Memorial Book. He used oak and this lovely and sturdy piece of church furniture is positioned near the opening to the Lady Chapel. I am delighted to say that we still have a connection with Bob as he sings with our choir at Evensong.

Barrie was a guiding hand in the choice of paper and materials for the Book and he agreed to be our first calligrapher. He spent many hours in the preparation of the 52 pages, one for each week of the year, with the dates at the top and ruling the spaces accurately in pencil. He also drew, in coloured inks, a beautiful Celtic design on the frontispiece. This work of art is rarely seen these days as we have entries for every week of the year.

After Barrie died, Liz Ibberson very kindly offered her services as calligrapher and we are most grateful to her for time and skills.

And so began our Memorial Book and the entries soon started flowing in. We now have over 400 to date. I have continued to look after the administration side of things and feel it is a privilege to play a tiny part in helping bereaved families.

The page is turned once a week, the day changing each year according to the day when January 1st falls.

Every Sunday, during Intercessions, the names of those whose anniversary falls in that week are included.

At the service of All Souls’, 6.30 on 1st November, names of those in the Memorial Book who have died in the last six years as well as others who have died in the previous year and any others by request will be read out. Little candles to be placed on the altar will be available. Although this is a sad service and an emotional one, it is also one of comfort and peace.

I know that the Memorial Book is appreciated and definitely serves a purpose. Non residents often travel miles in memory of their loved one and local people who drop into church seek it out. Some family members leave a flower on the stand. After services are over quite a few people make a point of looking at the inscriptions there.

In the thirty years since its installation, I have personally known a number of the people who have died and it is good to be reminded of their lives. I am always pleased to have contact with those family members who wish to add an entry and to listen to their reminiscences.

Images of all of the pages in the Memorial Book are now on the church website which makes them more widely available.

Forms are on the table at the back of the church and my details are on those (01902 700636).

Margaret Lingford

(As always this View is the personal view of the author.)

Would you like to write a View from the Pews?

We welcome contributions for View from the Pews from anyone who would like to write one. It does not need to be on any particular subject. If you would like to write one please send it to or contact Henry Ibberson ( / 01902 701136).

Contacts

The Vicar’s post is half time so Merry will not be working every day. Her usual working days are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday but this is subject to change. Her phone number is 07486 066065 and her email address is  When she is not working she will not normally answer the phone, listen to messages or respond to emails. 

Emails to will be received by the churchwardens.

Contact details for church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website. You can use if you are not sure who to contact and the churchwardens will be able to forward it to the correct person.

Notices, which should be received by Friday afternoon for inclusion in that week’s ChadNet, and other communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to

Articles for the magazine should be sent to 

Sunday 25th October – Last Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be an All Age Communion Service, led by the Vicar, in church. The theme is Living Legacy. Great for kids – everyone welcome – something for everyone. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

This is the deadline for the Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal. Boxes need to be taken to Barbara Tritton or left at the back of church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Wolverhampton Road, Newgate, Merchant Close.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
The Church at Perton.

18th October – Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

This week

The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.

Work on the churchyard paths continues all week. Please take care if visiting the churchyard during working hours.

This is not a week when the Prayers for Peace group meets but some members of the group will be in church on Tuesday at 6 pm to say prayers. Anyone is welcome to join them.

On Wednesday at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by the Vicar, in church which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.00 am as a Place of Welcome when anyone who wants to will be welcome to share in the coffee, cake and chat, whether they have been to the service or not. Those attending will receive a warm welcome.

On Wednesday at 12 noon Who’s for Lunch? is held in the Village Hall.

There is NO Pattingham Shower Singers this week. They are taking their half term break and will resume next week. For more information contact Alix at .

At 7 pm on Wednesday Choir Practice takes place in church. Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Martin Fox or any member of the choir.

On Saturday the Cascade of Poppies will be installed in the church.

Sunday 1st November – All Saints’ Sunday

At 10 am there there will be a First Sunday Service, led by Iain Coleman and Henry Ibberson, in church, including a short service of Holy Communion, led by the Vicar. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 6.30 pm there will be the All Souls’ Memorial Service, led by the Vicar, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Nurton Hill Road, Holyhead Road, County Lane, High Park.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
All Saints, Trysull.

Churchyard paths

The paths in the new churchyards, the area by the west door and the path from there to the new churchyards are being relaid over the next few weeks.

Paths in the two new churchyards will be relaid between Wednesday 14th October and Friday 13th November. While this work is being done the contractors will do their best to ensure that access to the churchyards is possible.

From Monday 16th to Friday 23rd November the area by the west door and the path to the new churchyard will be relaid. While the contractors are working access may not be possible. When the contractors finish for the day (by 3.30 pm each day) and over the weekend they will leave the paths safe so that people can use the paths. Those who wish to visit the churchyard on weekdays during that period may find it better to come after 3.30 pm to be certain of access.

While the work is taking place the contractors will be using dumper trucks which will be going along the path between the church and the lychgate as well as the paths in the new churchyard. For those who are able to do so it will be safer to use the path from the gate on Patshull Road to come into the church while they are working.

All Souls’ Memorial service

The annual Memorial Service for All Souls will be held on Sunday 1st November at 6.30 pm.

At the service we will remember by name those for whom funerals have been held in the last 2 years and those names from our Memorial Book who have died within the last 6 years. There is an opportunity to add extra names, as there will be a list at the back of the church where additional names can be written. The list will be removed on Thursday 29th October for administration purposes. Please ensure any names are placed on the list before that date.

Wolverhampton Interfaith Conference

Saturday 14th November – 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at The Royal School, Penn Road, Wolverhampton.

“We don’t all look the same, we don’t all speak the same but we can all love the same”

This is as part of National Interfaith week which runs from 8-15th November 2026.

St Chad’s Church is a member of IFW and last year several of our congregation attended. 

Bishop Tim and the Mayor will be in attendance.

Contact details: Interfaith Wolverhampton Office: 07853 251929
Free tickets available on Eventbrite (or Jill Parker if you prefer)
https://Interfaith-Wolverhampton-Conference-Tickets.eventbri…
Please book your tickets by Friday 6th November.
Tea and Coffee/Refreshment.
FREE EVENT – DONATIONS WELCOMED.

Worshipping God through Music and Song

Saturday 14th November – 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm

This is a new style of worship at St Chad’s where all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome, in this place.

Vicar Merry will led the service accompanied by Martin – the worship band is Martin Fox and friends.

Join us for refreshments and a natter at 4.30 pm – the service starts at 5.00 pm – approx 1 hour.

Everyone welcome. It’s free and no need to book.

If you are able to help with serving refreshments or baking cakes please speak to Tony or Alan, alternatively please put your name on the form at the back of the church.

Step into Christmas

Step into Christmas will take place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th December.

Following the success of previous Christmas Tree Festivals and Follow the Star this will be a celebration of the Christmas Carol.

The Church is to be full of various displays and pictures celebrating peoples’ favourite Carols and printed readings from the bible under the banner “Step into Christmas”.

To attract people in, the Churchyard will also be full of various life-sized Christmas related silhouettes, a total of 25 in all, which will be, hopefully, lit up at night to give a wonderful Christmas feeling to the whole village.

Activities are being arranged for children both inside and outside the church and refreshments.

There are still some areas of the Church available for displays, mainly in the Chancel. If anyone is feeling artistic please contact Debbie Sims.

Over the next few weeks rotas will appear at the back of Church asking for volunteers on the three days to man the Church, to serve refreshments and sell raffle tickets. We hope that the fellowship we feel in church each Sunday will be extended over the festival and those taking part will have fun.

For more information contact Debbie Sims -phone 07974 032075 or email:

An evening of Christmas Harmony with VocaBella

Saturday 12th December 7.30 pm in church

A concert by VocaBella, a local ladies singing group formed in 2016, who enjoy performing many styles of music from folk to jazz; from choral to pop; all sung in a Cappella, close harmony.

Tickets £15 per adult – includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie (Refreshments courtesy of Our Co-op Pattingham) – children under 16 FREE if accompanied by a paying adult.

Box office: Contact 07757 688518 or

Proceeds and Raffle – in support of St Chad’s Church, The Well Foodbank and Midland Blood Bikes.

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

The Well continues to need our donations and prayers. The box remains at the rear of the church for donations of food and toiletries and the wishing well for donations of cash (including foreign and obsolete currency which should be in a separate bag).

<www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church

Be thou a bright flame before us;
Be thou a guiding star above us;
Be thou a smooth path below us;
Be thou kindly shepherd behind us
Today, tonight and forever.
Amen

(The Prayer of St Columba)

If you would like to suggest (or write) a prayer for inclusion in this series please let Tracey Williams, our Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator, know.

From the Memorial Book

Those whose  anniversaries occur between 18th October and 1st November.

Thomas Stanley Inett – 18th October 1992
Gillian Bloomfield – 18th October 2003
David Thornton – 20th October 1997
Hazel Jeanette Frost – 20th October 2004
Violet May Watkins – 21st October 1977
Margaret Gosling – 21st October 2012
John Robert (Bob) Pinches – 21st October 2013
Mary Margaret Parker – 23rd October 1994
Derek William Littleford – 24th October 1998
Ian Beavis Hall – 25th October 1999
James Albert Monckton – 26th October 1962
Dennis Selby – 26th October 1981
Norman Tooth – 26th October 1995
Gordon Roy Pymer – 26th October 2011
Christopher David Wilde – 28th October 2008
Janet Eileen Owen – 28th October 2016
Paul James Potts – 28th October 2019
Marion Katie Potts – 29th October 1987
Kenneth John Bowley – 30th October 1988
Norman (Jim) Smith – 30th October 2012
Elsie Lyon – 31st October 2005
Kenneth Ernest Wilde – 31st October 2013
Cyril Edward Godwin – 1st November 2003

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.

Enquiries about adding names to the Memorial Book should be addressed to Margaret Lingford.

Giving to the church

Details of the various ways in which you can give can be found on the Giving page of the website.

You can make a bank transfer to our bank account (Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 Account No: 50655023).

If you are paying by cheque please make the cheque payable to “Pattingham PCC” or “Pattingham Parochial Church Council“.

JustGiving

We have a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at <https://www.justgiving.com/page/pattingham-church-jg>. You will be asked if you want to make a contribution on top of your donation. If you do it will go to JustGiving and not to charity. If you do not want to make such a contribution select “other”. If you are a taxpayer please consider gift aiding your donation.

ChadNet

This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 170 subscribers but there may still  be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive it. The weekly bulletin for each Sunday will normally be sent on the preceding Friday or Saturday. Additional bulletins may be sent if required. It is only being sent to those who have requested it.

If you know of anyone who might be interested please tell them about it and ask them to sign up using the form on the website (www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/chadnet/sign-up-to-chadnet/) or by email to

St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604