On Tuesday 11th of November we gathered at Space 4 to bring together the stories from our Tommy’s Story exhibition and share in an act of Remembrance. 
Ros Pickersgill had made large poppies so that we could write our own special messages and she also recited a wonderful poem that she had written which reflected the many people in the stories that people had shared for the exhibition.
A little before 11am we all moved outside onto a bustling Newbottle Street. Rector Sue said a few words and then we observed the silence together. We were joined by passers by who also wanted to show their respect.
Following the silence we returned inside and placed our poppies on the exhibition boards around the stories.
It was wonderful to welcome so many people to our Remembrance Sunday service as we gathered together to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many in the service of their country.
Following the service in church the crowds gathered around the Cenotaph in the bright Autumn sunshine for an act of remembrance in a silence broken only by birdsong. Watching the standards fall and rise to the bugle call evoked both sadness and a sense of pride. 
The wreaths around the newly refurbished cenotaph a lasting reminder to young and old. 
We shall remeber them.
In this centenary year of the start of the First World War there are a number of opportunities to remember the fallen:
Remembrance Sunday Service – 9th November, 10.15am
Armistice Day – 11th November – Act of Remembrance – 10.30am Space4 (ground floor of Houghton Library on Newbottle Street)
There will be an opportunity to view the Tommy’s Story exhibition which has grown with stories from around the community alongside the sculpture of the Unknown Soldier ‘A Foreign Field’ created by a local artist with local school children which is on display in the foyer.
Field of Remembrance
The Field of Remembrance in St Michael’s churchyard was opened on 28th October and is open for the public to pay their respects to those who have lost their lives in conflicts since the first world war.
On Saturday 1st November a hardy group of walkers gathered at the arch to set off on an 18mile sponsored walk to St Hilda’s Hartlepool to raise funds for our SPACE4 project. We were delighted to be greeted by a beautiful sunny Autumn day and set off at 9am heading for our first rest spot at Plants R Ross 6 miles down the road.
We enjoyed a much needed sit down, coffee and delicious scones and took full advantage of the public convenience.
We arrived at Easington Colliery at around 12.30 and shared our lunchspace with a delightful young couple who played the guitar so we all had a singalong. Roger Elsey met us here with food and hot drinks to boost us for our next stage along the coastal footpath. Many steps lay ahead.
The coastal footpath offered us some beautiful views and grass underfoot but also some steep climbs down and stamina testing climbs back up. I think we all got to test out muscles that we don’t usually use. Conversation and company really helped us along the way and we appreciated each other’s support as we headed for the end of the walk.
Smiles of relief and achievement as we reach our goal in Hartlepool and think of our next stop which is the pub! Huge thanks to all who took part in the walk, the support drivers and all those who so generously sponsored us.
More pictures can be viewed in the slideshow below and also on our Facebook page.
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- Beginning the coastal part of the walk
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- The views were stunning
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- Beautiful view of the viaduct
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- Our hearts sank a little bit when we saw all these steps!
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- The sunset was beautiful
The eighth national Get Online Week takes place 13-17 October #GOLW14
An estimated 7 million people in the UK aren’t online, and 11 million don’t have the skills or confidence to make the most of the opportunities the internet has to offer. Space 4 is taking part in a national campaign called Get Online Week to help people in Houghton to do just that. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never even touched a computer before or if you already know a bit – this is your chance to give computers and the internet a go. It’s fun, it’s free, and it could change how you do your favourite things – and your everyday chores – forever! Drop in to Space 4 (during our normal opening hours) from 13th October – 17th October and we’ll help you discover what the internet has to offer.
Space 4 – championing the cause of poverty, exclusion and well-being in Houghton-le-Spring. Find us on the ground floor of Houghton Library, Newbottle Street.
Email Rev’d Bryony Taylor, Curate for more information: revbryonytaylor@gmail.com or ring Space 4 on 0191 512 0676. If you are already internet savvy you can follow the hashtag #golw14 on Social Media.
We had a great opening ceremony last night opening Houghton Feast for 2014. This year’s theme is Never Forget – and we are commemorating the start of the First World War.
Today we ran our Craft and Produce Market with the rector’s famous vegetable stall, this year selling some commemorative mugs and bags:
We were also relieved that the rain stayed off for this afternoon’s parade!
Now we’re getting ready for the Civic Service tomorrow.
You can view more photos on our Facebook page – come and give us a ‘like’!
This week we have launched an e-newsletter to help you keep up to date with what is happening at St Michael’s. We know how easy it is to miss important notices at church or miss something from the weekly sheet – this way, the key news and events will come to you directly into your email inbox!
The idea for this newsletter was one our rector Sue came across in the USA during her sabbatical and we hope it works as well in Houghton-le-Spring as it did in Los Angeles! Sue feels it’s important to keep in touch with you and let you know what’s happening at St Michael’s and from time to time reflect on life, God and the world around us.
If you’d like to get our newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time), complete the form below. You can view the current edition here.
As ever, St Michael and All Angels is at the heart of Houghton Feast, we have activities throughout the week with something for everyone, see you there!
She’s Fired is to be performed at St Michael’s as part of Houghton Feast on October 7th at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £5 can be obtained from church Mondays to Fridays between 11am and 1pm.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this excellent play written by Bob Lowery from Seaham with original beautiful songs written by John Wrightson from Murton. The play has been performed at various venues around the North East to great acclaim.
Expect to laugh and cry, either way you will love it.
Further performances will be at Sedgefield Parish Hall on November 8th, and The Sage, Gateshead on March 14th.
As part of Houghton Feast you are invited to join us for Tommy’s Dinner on Friday 10th October at 7.30pm in St Michael and All Angels Church – an evening of food and entertainment in commemoration of the start of the First World War organised by the Next 900 team at St Michael’s.
Tickets priced at £15 are available from church or from John Lambton tel. 07917 817879
