Dronfield Eye issue 211 July 2023

dronfield EYE
Dronfield’s
Team Rector
P
ARISHONERS have welcomed the new Rector
for local churches and his wife, who both grew
up in Dronfield.
Dronfield Parish Church was filled with almost 250
people for the Institution of Lee Townend as Team Rector
for the five Church of England churches in Dronfield,
Holmesfield and Unstone.
Lee and wife Liz married in Dronfield Parish Church and
lived here with their children, Jo and Megan, prior to Lee’s
ordination. Until recently, Lee was Archdeacon of Carlisle.
The position of Rector is a Crown appointment, which
means it has to be approved by the Lord Chancellor’s
office on behalf of King Charles III.
As well as heading up the team, Lee will have specific
responsibility for Dronfield Parish Church. The Institution
was led by the Bishop of Derby, The Right Rev Libby Lane,
Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, Venerable Karen Hamblin,
and Area Dean of NE Derbyshire, Rev Daniel Cooke.
The service – described as a “very happy occasion”- was
also attended by local MP Lee Rowley, other local
dignitaries, and members of Scouting, Guiding and the Air
Training Corps.
The Parish Church Choir led the music, some of which
had been especially requested by Lee and Liz, as they
have held special significance during his ministry. They
included hymns, anthems and worship songs from around
1600 to the present day.
Speaking out
T
HE Rotary Club of Dronfield held a speaker event
in Dronfield Civic Centre Hall.
Key Stage 2 pupils from Gorseybrigg Primary and St
Andrews CofE Primary had the opportunity to speak in
public with an audience of mixed ages and interests.
Although the format of the evening was a competition, the
main objective of the event was to give children the
opportunity to showcase their oral and vocal skills.
Rob Barron from the club said pupils contributed with a
high standard and performed with confidence. While
Gorseybrigg Primary won, “the standard from both teams
gave a result with very close marking.”
The audience was also entertained by local musician Ben
Lunn. The Rotary Club of Dronfield expressed its gratitude
for the time and effort given over to the event by staff,
children and audience members.
Tina’s new challenge
A
DRONFIELD breast cancer survivor is
embarking on a charity hike this
summer following the success of another
walking challenge.
Tina Gillatt, who works for Banner Plant Ltd,
completed 10,000 steps a day throughout
March of this year to raise £1,600 for Cancer
Research UK.
On July 8th, she and partner Shaun O’Rourke
are taking part in the 20-mile Pink Ribbon Walk
at Chatsworth in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
Tina said: “Myself and my mum were
diagnosed with breast cancer last year and after
receiving surgery and radiotherapy we feel like
the lucky ones to survive this disease.
Tina Gillatt
“Sadly, my grandma wasn't so lucky and passed away from breast
cancer at the age of 69. This is why doing this walk means so much to
me.”
You can sponsor Tina by visiting her JustGiving page – search Tina’s
Pink Ribbon Walk.
Dolphins make a splash
C
ONGRATULATONS to these Dronfield Dolphins lads who
have raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK, Marie
Curie and The Swimathon Foundation.
Captained by 18-year old Matthew Wilson, a student at Chesterfield
College, the team swam a 5k relay (1.25k each) to support the annual
Swimathon event.
Colleagues were James Facer-Hampsey (16) who attends Sheffield
College, Joseph Diacon (15) a pupil at Silverdale School and Charlie
Hughes (15) from Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School. They all swim for
Dronfield Dolphins and sadly all know people who have been affected
by cancer.
Dancers donate £660
E
NTHUSIASTS at Dronfield Vintage Dance love their sessions
at Dronfield Contact Club - and they also delight in raising
money for good causes.
Their recent charity dance realised £660 which has been donated to
support the work of Weston Park Cancer Charity.
The group’s next charity dance at the Snape Hill Lane venue will be on
Saturday, September 2nd, with Dronfield’s own Lady Lindy. Details from
Craig at max380@talktalk.net
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