Rearranged Pateley Bridge Christingle service will support children’s charity

The Children’s Society is going to receive a late Christmas present from the people of Pateley Bridge.

A Christmas Eve Christingle service has raised money for the charity for more than 30 years. It was postponed last year due to covid but has been rearranged for Wednesday evening, to coincide with the feast of Candlemas.

Organiser Joyce Liggins told the Stray Ferret:

“We were determined that the society, which does incredible work to help young people, would not miss out and holding the Christingle on Candlemas seemed highly appropriate.”

The 6pm service at the Parish Church of St Cuthbert will not include Christmas carols, but there will be a Christingle song and attendees will be given a Christingle kit as they arrive, which will be made up during the service and the candles lit.

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Ms Liggins added:

“We hope that people will come along and support this service and the society, which will benefit from donations.”

Those unable to attend can still donate through a JustGiving page.

Since 1968, Christingle services have been held across the UK to raise money for the society, which helps vulnerable young people.

The Christingle tradition has, like the bringing of an evergreen tree into a house, its roots in Germany and dates back to the 18th century, when it was introduced by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville.

Pateley Bridge Christingle service is postponed

One of the main Christmas events in Pateley Bridge has been postponed because of covid concerns.

The annual Christingle Service, which has been held at the parish church of St Cuthbert for more than 30 years, has been put on hold until next year.

Organiser Joyce Liggins told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s disappointing, as we were all set for Christmas Eve, but we decided to postpone, because of the covid situation.

“We are now looking to re-schedule, possibly for the first week in February.

“It’s a shame, because many local people view the service as their start to the festive season and the church is usually packed.

“Over the years, the service has also raised funds for the Children’s Society and while we can’t go ahead on Christmas Eve, we hope that people will still support the society.”

Donations can be made through a newly set up JustGiving page.

Last year, with a covid lockdown in place, a virtual Christingle service from St Cuthbert’s was posted on Facebook and £750 was raised through donations.

Since 1968, Christingle services have been held across the UK to raise money for the Children’s Society charity, which helps vulnerable young people.

The Christingle tradition has, like the bringing of an evergreen tree into a house, its roots in Germany and dates back to the 18th century, when it was introduced by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville.

Read more: