Double Celebration in Great Britain in 1953

Mount Everest has attracted climbers ever since it was discovered to be the World's highest peak in 1852, but the supreme challenge of its 29,028ft was not finally beaten until 11.30am on 29 th May 1953. News of the conquest of Everest reached Britain on Coronation Day, 2 nd June 1953, the day Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England. Eager crowds bought newspapers outside Westminster Abbey, the headline was ‘The crowning Glory; Everest is Climbed'.

The Everest Expedition was under the leadership of Colonel John Hunt, a 42 year old soldier and climber. His party numbered 10 climbers, 8 Englishmen and 2 New Zealanders, along with a doctor and a number of reserves. All were tough and experienced mountaineers. They were joined by a band of 20 Sherpas – the hardy hillmen of the Himalayas, led by Tensing Norkay. The expedition set out on the assault in April. The final camp was established at 24,000ft, 5028ft below the summit. From there Colonel John Hunt decided to launch two assaults. There had been 12 unsuccessful attempts before which had cost 12 lives.

The first assault by Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans was made on 26 th May, but it was beaten back at 28,700ft by lack of oxygen. Now Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander and Tensing assisted by a three man support party prepared for their own attempt. On 28 th May the five men established a camp on a ridge at 27,900ft. The support group left Hillary and Tensing at 2.30pm to pitch their tent and rest before launching their attempt on the summit. They had only enough oxygen for one attempt, if the weather broke they would have to turn back. Their last meal was of sardines, crackers, honey and dates. As soon as it was light next morning, the two were ready to go. They got to the summit at 11.30am. On top of the highest mountain in the World Tensing buried some biscuits and sweets, gifts to the Mountain's Gods. Hillary laid his own religious offering, a small crucifix given to him by Colonel John Hunt. Tensing posed for Hillary's camera waving his ice-axe with a string of flags attached. Everest was conquered at last.

Another great event in May 1953 was when one of England's favourite footballers, Sir Stanley Matthews won an F.A. Cup Final medal when Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers 4 -3 at Wembley.

Frank Underwood

The Beginning of Lent 2012

Please collect a collecting box for either the Additional Curates Society- who provide priests in needy parishes or the Mirfield Zimbabwean Christians appeal.

The weekdays of Lent are days of abstinence, with Ash Wednesdays and Fridays being of fasting too. So if you are able you should be abstaining from something and go without a meal on Fast Days, putting the money saved in your collecting box and returning it to Church on Good Friday.

100 Club

Thank you to everyone who participates in the 100 Club which is one of our main fundraisers. If anyone is interested in joining there are a few numbers available, please speak with me and I'll be pleased to help you. The cost is £1 per week and we have prizes of 1 x £20, 1 x £10 and 2 x £5 weekly, 1 x £100 twice yearly and 1 x £500 annually.

Thanks again for the support

Ivy Underwood

Bishop Paul's Bible Challenge

Bishop Paul is laying down a new challenge for people to ‘take-up' this Lent. He is encouraging everyone to join in ‘The Bible Challenge' – a special project encouraging people to read the Bible each day during the year.

Bishop Paul says: “Instead of thinking what to give up this Lent, I would like to encourage everyone to consider engaging with the Bible in a fresh way. Studies reveal that reading the Bible each day, or even reading scripture four or more times a week can have a transformational affect on people's lives. The Bible Challenge has a range of options for people, from reading suggestions for children to focusing on the Psalms or reading the whole Bible – there is something for everyone.”

Families with children are encouraged to read The DK Children's Illustrated Bible or The Big Picture Story Bible. Teenagers will want to read the New International Version Teen Study Bible or Bible in One Year

The Bible Challenge website www. thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org/the-bible-challenge has for the full range of ideas. If you decide to go for reading the ‘Bible in One Year' copies will be available in Church. Or even simpler turn to the middle of this magazine where you will find a Bible reading for each day.

The Bible Challenge website has special occasional short meditations to accompany each day's readings; written by archbishops, bishops, biblical scholars, theologians, cathedral and seminary deans, clergy and noted lay leaders from around the world to assist your reading. Bishop Paul will be taking up the challenge himself. He explained:

“I hope many of you will join me in this Bible Challenge and let us

know how you are getting on. I will be joining in with comments

on my blog and through facebook and twitter, so anyone linked into

new media may want to add their own responses via the diocesan

facebook page. “

Lenten Teaching

Easter is coming; it must be, Cream Eggs are on sale! For we Christians Easter is still a way off and before we celebrate again the events of Christ's triumph over death, we will keep the forty days of Lent in preparation. We can use these days in many ways and here at the Priory we will have the opportunity to use these days to study the underlying ideas of sacrifice & atonement so that we can come to Easter more fully able to comprehend the mystery that Jesus died & rose again.

After the Parish Mass & Thursday's Mass we will have 20 minute teaching session. The themes covered in the 6 sessions will be:

Lent 1 - Sacrifice in the OT

Lent 2 - The Temple in Jerusalem

Lent 3 - What was in the Temple

Lent 4 - The Holy of Holies & The Veil

Lent 5 - The Menorah & the Altars Palm Sunday - The High Priest

Spend just 20 minutes at these teaching sessions and so add to your preparation to celebrate Easter.

Fr Fisher