Further Details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Thursday 3rd Nov
7.30 p.m.
Saturday 5th Nov
11 am until 12 noon
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Elders Meeting Local Councillors Surgery
Sunday 6 Nov
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 6th Nov
6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Walter Brisk
Tuesday 8th Nov
12 noon for 12.45
Lunchtime Concert Jonathan Ellis – Piano
Saturday 12th Nov
1.30 p.m.
GEAR Event Confidence in the Gospel led by Revd Andrew Willett followed by a Faith Tea before
7.00 p.m. th
A Worship Celebration
Sunday 13 Nov
10.30 a.m.
Remembrance/Parade Service led by Sid Hazlehurst
Sunday 13th Nov
6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 20th Nov
10.30 a.m.
Sunday 20th Nov
6.00 p.m.
Monday 21 Nov
6.30 p.m.
Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley followed at 12 Noon by our CHURCH MEETING Evening Worship With Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley Bamford & Oakenrod Forum
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Saturday 26 Nov
10.30 a.m.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
Sunday 27 Nov
10.30 a.m.
Sunday 27th Nov
6.00 p.m.
Parade/ Toy Service led byRevd. Richard Bradley Evening Worship led by David Watson
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Message from the manse “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26) I was reminded of these words of Jesus in a document I was reading recently. They are eerily challenging. For it casts Jesus in a light that is not the comforting Jesus but the challenging Jesus. No one can accuse Jesus of sitting on the fence! He was at times loving and caring, he could speak with passion. He could also show his more frustrated even angry side (turning the tables over in the Temple courtyard for example) And it’s not much different here either. The Lukan account from which this verse is taken is the account where Luke confesses Jesus as “The Christ” (Luke 9:20) It is a statement of faith. It is the moment when Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ. Peter was one who was there and always ready to give an answer when a question was asked. He was the one who walked on water and started to sink. I wonder if Jesus often used Peter as an example when he was preaching and teaching the crowds that gathered around him? Peter knew his Lord, of that there is no doubt. He had his weaknesses – one might say he was ashamed of Jesus when was arrested. Jesus told him he would deny him three times and he did. But thank God that He is a God of forgiveness and transformation. I am sure we have all been in those situations where we thought, “I really need to speak up because what is being said or done is wrong and I should stand up for my Christian principles.” And so often we don’t. When we are the minority and we feel intimidated or perhaps even embarrassed to be a Christian. If you have been there then you follow in the footsteps of Peter (and many others!) 2
What Jesus longs for us is that we will be people who are willing to change. To be people willing to share the Good news of the Gospel with those we meet. I want to encourage you, or invite you, to an event you will have heard about already that is taking place here at Bamford Chapel an event called “Confidence in the Gospel” it is a workshop being run by a member of the GEAR* team (Revd Andrew Willet) It is an afternoon workshop 1.30-5.30 and then there will be a Faith Tea before there is a Worship Celebration in the evening from 7pm (more details in the posters, in this magazine and on the church website) where Lifeline will lead the sung worship. I want to encourage you to come to this event – all of it if you can – or either the afternoon workshop or the evening celebration. Because I believe that God will speak through this event and I believe this is an important topic for us as a Church. Within the URC we are in the third and final year of Vision4Life which is the year of evangelism. This will be, I am sure, an event that will teach us all something of what it means to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. I hope you will give prayerful consideration to attending this event. God Bless Richard *GEAR is the Group for Evangelism And Renewal in the United Reformed Church.
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News of the family Concerns continue to be expressed for Patricia and John Lapworth, Martyn and Anne, for Beryl Monk and the wider family, especially Glenda and Walter, for Michelle McClaughlin and her family, Margaret and Fred Riley, Joan Warner`s sister, Sylvia, Helen Baillie, Margaret Watson on the death of her aunt, Cyril and Doreen Watts and Auriel and Raymond Atkins. Please remember all these people in your prayers. We also pray for the Ashworth family as they grieve for Nigel`s mother who died recently. Christian Platt has now been discharged from the Royal Marines on medical grounds and is considering what to do next. We pray that he finds the right course of action in the near future. Congratulations to Oliver and Nicola Redmond on the birth of their first child, Bethany Grace, a grandchild for Addie and Barbara. Belated congratulations also to John and Sarah Finnegan on the birth of their second son, James David, who has been attending church regularly over the past few weeks. At a recent meeting of “Churches Together in North West Rochdale” our minister Richard was unanimously elected as chairman, because of the imminent retirement of the previous chairman, Pastor Bryan Drury from Cutgate Baptist. We wish Bryan a long and happy retirement. “Churches Together” meet three or four times a year in order to plan joint events such as the distribution of Christmas and Easter Cards, Carol singing, Lent Groups and Whit Walks. All the meetings are open and everyone is welcome. Look out for dates of meetings and ecumenical events. 4
Norden United Reformed Church Forsyth Street Norden
Every Monday Line Dancing 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Every Tuesday Crochet and Knitting Class 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm Come and learn to crochet or knit, or sort out any problems in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Every Tuesday Yogalaties 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm The tutor takes you through very relaxing and gentle exercise.
Children of Israel In Sunday School one morning young Joseph raised his hand and proceeded to ask a question that had perplexed him for some time. "There's something I can't figure out. According to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?" "Right," said his teacher. "And the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?" "Er, right." "And the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?" "Again you're right." "And the Children of Israel fought the Egyptians and the Children of Israel were always doing something important, right?" "All that is right, too," agreed the teacher. "So what's your question, Joseph?� "Well what were all the grown-ups doing?" 5
Businesses are now given a hygiene rating when they are inspected by a food safety officer from the business’s local authority. Businesses are awarded one of 6 ratings from 0 at the bottom , which means that urgent improvement is necessary, to 5 at the top, which means that the business was found to have ‘very good’ hygiene standards. Bamford Chapel Luncheon Club are please to inform you that at their latest inspection they were awarded a food hygiene rating of 5. Look out for the certificate! Well done to everyone who works so hard to maintain these high standards. Bamford Chapel Luncheon Club can be found listed on the Food Standards Agency website with their grade 5 rating. Take a look at: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/ and search for Bamford Chapel.
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Prayer after services
As has been announced at recent services prayer will be offered after both the morning and evening services. Therefore, if there is a concern that you have for yourself or someone you know please don’t leave without being prayed for. It may be that you feel God was speaking to you in the service and you feel that you would like someone to pray with you then we feel it is important that this is offered to the whole church every week. There are a group of people (listed below) willing to pray with people and some of these people will wait in church for anyone who would like prayer. We suggest (as a start) that people make their way to the back of church (opposite side to the choir) and you should be met by one of the prayer team volunteers. If you sit in the balcony then please make your way to the back of church. On the other hand, if you would prefer to remain seated where you were in the service then one of the prayer team will come to you. Please be patient with us as we try to work out the best place for this to happen where there is the most quiet in church.
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For those going through for coffee you are asked to be attentive to the fact that someone around you may be having a time of silent reflection or prayer. The list of people below is not an exhaustive list and you may prefer to be prayed for by someone else. Please just ask. If your name is not on this list and you would like it to be then please speak to Richard. (The names I have at present are: Ray and Auriel Atkins, Margaret Ogden, Joanne Shaw, Joan Warner, Addie Redmond, Ken Greer, David Watson, Jane Baines, Julie Platt and Richard Bradley) Any constructive comments about how this system works will be gratefully received. God Bless, Richard
Lesley, Nigel and Lucy Ashworth would like to thank everyone at Bamford Chapel for all their loving kindness and support during the illness and passing of Alice Ashworth, a much loved mother, mother -in-law and nana. They would also like to thank everyone at Chapel for the lovely flowers and cards they received.
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BROWNIE PACK HOLIDAY WEEKEND O n the weekend of 30th September, which happened to be one of the hottest weekends of the year, the Brownies enjoyed their camping weekend at Springfield Park. When I say “camping” we weren’t exactly in tents (or I would not have been there) but it’s not quite 5* accommodation either. The theme this year was Princesses, all our crafts and activities were based around this theme. As the weather was so good we were able to do plenty of the activities outside. We had a camp fire and songs, treasure hunt, walks and a play in the park; we even managed to do some of the crafts outside, as it was a shame to miss that lovely weather. The main event was the Princess Ball and Banquet on Saturday night. We all put our party gear and even the ball room was dressed up. Thanks to Steph, Pippa, Lucianna and Holly for that. A great time was had by all throughout the whole weekend as you can see from the selection of comments from the Brownies themselves, they even said they liked the jobs we gave them to do, waitressing, cooking and even cleaning – take note mums! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gillian, Barbara, Steph, Lucianna, Holly and of course myself for all the hard work and time given towards making the weekend a great success. Lyn Jefferies NB: see the Brownie notice board for original copies of the comments.
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A Lancashire Grace For what we ha’n tu eyt gi thanks Lets hope its tu yo’re likin If yo ha’n teyth then use em well We want no picking & pikin If some o’ yo ha’n loyst yore teyth Then yo’ll ha tu use yore gums So get agate & settle to An tackle owt as comes Thank you Lord for friends & food. AMEN used before the Luncheon Club meal by Joyce Yates
Macmillan Coffee Morning LADIES FELLOWSHIP Yet another successful fund raising event for Macmillan was hosted by Bamford Chapel Ladies Fellowship on Friday 23rd September [a week earlier than the national one]. We raised £518.60 plus £25 in gift aided donations. Thank you to everyone who helped on the morning in various ways. As well as being our annual fund raiser for Macmillan, we all have a lot of fun too. Finally thank you to everyone who came along and supported our efforts. LESLEY SUTTON 12
THE CHRISTMAS FAIR NEEDS YOU! This year’s Fair is on Saturday 26th November. It is a major fundraiser in the Chapel’s calendar and an important outreach to the community. We therefore need your help. We need volunteers to: greet people as they arrive (and take their money!) work in the kitchen or run a stall. If you can help please sign the list on the notice board or speak to Gillian James or Julie Platt. We also need donations for the following stalls:STALL Toy tombola Chocolate tombola Tech. Stall Surprise parcels
DONATIONS New toys Chocolate of all shapes and sizes DVDs, CDs etc Presents for adults up to the value of £1 any bottles Tombola prizes
CONTACT Lesley Ashworth Kathryn Telford Andy Platt Audrey Telford or Pat Gate ? ? ? Janet Crompton Gillian James
Bottles stall Tombola Second Hand Books Second Hand Toys Jewellery stall any jewellery in good condition Christmas stall any items which can be Gillian James given, used or eaten at Christmas
There will also be boxes for donations in the Coffee area. Thank you! 13
Bible Reading Plan: 30 October – 31st December 2011 th
As we continue with the journey of reading through the Bible in a year please find below the readings for the period of 30th October – 31st December. I have continued with the same pattern as the earlier magazines by also giving the month ahead of the edition of the magazine. I hope people have found it a useful discipline as it becomes part of our daily lives as for some people they find a set time each day works for them where others do not stick to one set time but read the day’s readings when they get a break long enough to do it. If anyone wanted to share with others what they have found thus far I am sure Louise and the editing team would like to hear from you and to print your reflections. Epistles
The Law
History
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
22 (30th Oct’er)
Galatians 1-3
Exodus 33-36
1 Kings 1-4
23 (6th Nov’er)
Galatians 4-6
Exodus 37-40
1 Kings 5-9
24 (13th Nov’er)
Ephesians 1-3
Leviticus 1-3
1 Kings 10-13
25 (20th Nov’er)
Ephesians 4-6
Leviticus 4-6
1 Kings 14-18
26 (27th Nov’er)
Philippians 1-2
Leviticus 7-9
1 Kings 19-22
27 (4th Dec’er)
Philippians 3-4
Leviticus 10-12
2 Kings 1-5
28 (11th Dec’er)
Colossians 1-2
Leviticus 13-15
2 Kings 6-10
29 (18th Dec’er)
Colossians 3-4
Leviticus 16-18
2 Kings 11-15
30 (25th Dec’er)
1 Thessalonians 1-3
Leviticus 19-21
2 Kings 16-20
Week
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Many thanks and God Bless, Richard
Bible reading plan taken from www.bible-reading.com Copyright 1995-2009 Michael Coley
Psalms
Poetry
Prophecy
Gospels
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Psalms 63-65
Proverbs 1
Jeremiah 47-52
Luke 7-8
Psalms 66-68
Proverbs 2-3
Lamentations
Luke 9-10
Psalms 69-71
Proverbs 4
Ezekiel 1-6
Luke 11-12
Psalms 72-74
Proverbs 5-6
Ezekiel 7-12
Luke 13-14
Psalms 75-77
Proverbs 7
Ezekiel 13-18
Luke 15-16
Psalm 78-80
Proverbs 8-9
Ezekiel 19-24
Luke 17-18
Psalms 81-83
Proverbs 10
Ezekiel 25-30
Luke 19-20
Psalms 84-86
Proverbs 11-12
Ezekiel 31-36
Luke 21-22
Psalms 87-89
Proverbs 13
Ezekiel 37-42
Luke 23-24
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BAMFORD CHAPEL TRAIDCRAFT Thank you to all who have placed orders from the Christmas catalogue. Keep them coming! Have you viewed the range of Christmas cards on display at the stall after morning worship? You can either buy directly from the stall or place orders if you wish to have more than one pack of the same design [pages 5-25 of Christmas catalogue display Christmas stationery] Other items available for Christmas are Christmas Food [pages 92-97] :
Christmas cake Christmas pudding Christmas biscuits [Ginger or Chocolate tree shaped] Chocolates Belgian finest selection/Divine after dinner mints/Gold coins
Message from Geraldine Smith, Customer Services Manager We sell products, yes – but they are only part of the picture. Traidcraft brings changes to the lives of the people we’re working with and their communities, so they don’t just survive but can flourish. As we prepare for Christmas with its traditions of giving, please know that each order you place with Traidcraft not only provides fair work and wages, but gives you the opportunity to make a difference – to change the world. Catalogues are available from the Traidcraft stall after Sunday morning worship or contact Barbara Redmond. THE TRAIDCRAFT TEAM
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For Goodness’ Sake – How many Alfies / Alphas are there? Just to sort out some confusion – there is only ONE Alpha Course! It consists of 15 topics exploring the Christian faith in an open way. When you hear people talk about Alpha 1 / Alpha 2 / Alpha 3, (and hopefully 4,5,6 ….) it’s a bit like school re-unions and ‘the class of 2006’ etc. It’s just a way of remembering when and with whom we shared such a meaningful experience.
Everyone went through the same Alpha sessions, maybe as a guest on a particular Alpha or served as host / helper on another Alpha. There’s no ‘advanced Alpha’ course! After the one & only Alpha Course there are several options – volunteer as a host or helper on the next Alpha (the roll-on, roll off notion) / join an activity on the existing ‘spiritual fitness programme’ / join or start a completely new spiritual action group. After Alpha 1, a discussion group started (open to all) at the home of Barbara & Addie. After Alpha 2 a ‘stillness & sharing’ group started at chapel (open to all) So – have we all got it sorted? There is only one Alpha Course – do you know which one you’ll be coming on?????? 17
Church Website During the service on the 25th September Richard showed the website to the congregation. This is a tool for the church in witnessing to the community. However, it needs to be a living and evolving tool. It needs information both textual and pictorial! At this moment it is not complete. There are more pages to be added. If your group/organization would like a page then please speak to Richard who will gladly oblige. However, you will need to produce some material that I can work with to put on the site. If your organization/group already has a page on the site then it needs to be a changing page as your group develops. Please, please keep me updated with news, events and if possible photos as well. Some pages are “static” and have basic factual information (e.g. the history of the church) and some pages are time constrained/temporary (Back to Church Sunday, Lunch time concerts etc.). Still others change with time (the worship page for example) Over the coming weeks you might see substantial changes as I get feedback from people and make the appropriate changes. I need to admit now; I am not a website expert. I came across a simple platform for building a website and this is the result of the time I have given it. If you search www.bamfordchapel.co.uk or put “Bamford Chapel” into a search engine (certainly google) it will bring it up. Please take a look and keep taking a look. If you see any typos please let me know! Thanks, Richard
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Clothesline Collection Early in the New Year I am intending to organise a Clothesline Collection to raise money for Chapel funds. A date has not yet been booked, but this is to give you advance warning so that if you are having a clear out before or after Christmas, to clear some room in your cupboards, you could bag up your unwanted items and save them for us. The recycling company which collects will accept clothing, shoes, curtains, bedding, handbags and belts and books. Further details will be given later, but if, in the meantime you need any further information please speak to me. Gillian James.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. Operation Christmas Child is the largest children's Christmas project in the world, run by the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse. Gift-filled shoeboxes have been sent to disadvantaged children around the world since 1990, bringing joy into the lives of over 80 million children. Could I once again ask for your support of this children's charity? Many of you will already be familiar with it. For those who are not, the aim is to fill a shoe box with various items such as, soap and flannel, toothpaste, brush, comb, pens and pencils and notebooks. We also try to include hat and gloves and a small toy. We also need shoe boxes. We need gifts for both boys and girls in the age groups, 2-4, 59 and 10-14. I will be happy to receive any items also boxes Joan Ashton, on behalf of Carol Hartley. tel 01706 360395. (I can collect.) 19
“STILLNESS & SHARING” A new afternoon faith group This group has now met 4 times on a Tuesday afternoon in the lounge. We only meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month, because the idea is we develop techniques, which we can then use in our own ‘quiet times’ at home The ‘stillness’ involves exercises in Christian meditation and a special way of reading bible passages. The ‘sharing’ is of our faith journey experiences and of our concerns for others. We are due to meet on the following dates between November and Christmas: 1st and 15th November / 6th and 20th December. We arrive from 2.15pm for a 2.30 start and we aim to end by 3.30pm If you’d like to give it a try, you can try out a single session to see if it helps you; you can come to each session or come once a month; you can pop in any time you’re available. The key word is flexibility. You would be welcome at any session. If you’d like more information, please speak to Lesley Ashworth or Joan Warner. Thank you – Joan Warner
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Bamford Chapel Lunchtime concert Tuesday 8th November Lunch available at 12 noon Concert at 12.45 pm
Jonathan Ellis (pianoforte)
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Ladies Fellowship The opening meeting of our new season kicked off with a talk by Mrs Pat Anderson entitled “Holidays with a difference.” And my word it certainly was. 2 years ago Pat went to Zambia for 2 weeks working holiday which she funded herself. Along with other volunteers she helped to lay the foundations for a new school. Although she was shattered at the end of each day she told us how wonderful it all was and the friendship she found. Some other volunteers were coming later to complete the building of the school and she hopes to go back to Zambia later this year to see how the work has progressed. Pat told us of a scheme whereby £100 per year for 5 years would pay for a student to go to university. An amount of £110 was raised during our evening which we gave to Pat to forward on to Mission Direct. It was lovely to have Ruth Bradley with us and I think it might embarrass her by mentioning it but sorry Ruth, in Ladies Fellowship if you are “New Girl on the block” you get a mention. Anyway it was lovely to have you with us and we hope you will be a regular attender. Our 30 members were present and everyone enjoyed the evening. It was most informative and gave us all “Food for Thought”. Margaret Entwistle 22
Coffee Evening Tuesday 22nd November 6pm - 7.30 pm In aid of the Eden Project Refreshments Bring & Buy Raffle Games All welcome
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LADIES FELLOWSHIP I relinquished the role of Treasurer of this fellowship at the last AGM and finally handed over the final balance and cash in hand [all of £2.13 !!] to Anne Newman who has kindly agreed to take over this task. I wish Anne all the best; she knows I am here for help and support if ever it is needed. I have loved every minute of being Treasurer and committee member working alongside dedicated ladies who are anxious to provide fun, fellowship and more recently pastoral care for the ladies [of all ages] at Bamford Chapel. I have certainly had a lot of fun and last Monday’s committee meeting at my home was no exception. My reason for handing over this role is of a personal nature and I won’t be attending as many meetings as once I did but I continue to be interested in the fellowship and will be available to assist whenever I can. Joan [Secretary] has named me LFOC [Ladies Fellowship Outing Consultant]!! Sounds very grand doesn’t it? Thank you to all for friendship and God Bless the next season of Ladies Fellowship meetings. If any ladies have often thought about going along to a meeting, let this year be the time to do so. You will have a very warm welcome. Programmes are available from Joan. LESLEY SUTTON
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A Special Concert next Spring! When we are planning our Midday Concerts, we sometimes get very bold and invite an artiste we know we will probably not be able to afford! A few months ago Mike Lucas told me about Kathryn Rudge, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, a young mezzo soprano of immense promise. I wrote to her asking if she would come to Bamford some time, and to my great pleasure she said she would like to do that. Of course, her fee was beyond what we offer for our Midday Concerts – she is already launched on a truly splendid career – but I persuaded her to come for an evening concert next May. Until then, she has almost continuous professional engagements, and in October 2011 she has taken to the stage of the Coliseum Theatre in London with English National Opera, playing Cherubino in Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”. She will come to us on the evening of Saturday 19th May 2012. We are planning to sell tickets at £5 and hoping to attract an audience of at least 150. This would enable us to pay Kathryn and her accompanist appropriate professional fees and would also enable us to make a profit for the Chapel. For me, one of the real joys of our Midday Concerts is that we bring into our lovely building visitors who might not otherwise come here. Even though they may take no part in our worship, their visits surely make an impression for good on them. Will you all please make a note in your diaries now of the date of this evening concert, and make sure that it is widely circulated. It is a long way off, but experience shows that if folk know about things well in advance they often make a real effort to keep a date free. I can promise that this will be a memorable concert. Mike and I listened to Kathryn being interviewed on Radio Three one evening, and her lively personality was irrepressible even there. So note the date, and pass it on! Walter
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Don’t forget the Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday 26th November 10.30 am - 2.00 pm. Please help to make this very important event a success by attending yourself and bringing plenty of guests! Doreen Watts would like to express how wonderful the support from Bamford Chapel has been whilst her husband, Cyril, has been in Manchester Royal Infirmary. In particular, she would like to express her sincere gratitude to all the volunteer drivers who have taken her to see Cyril during the lengthy period that he has been in hospital. Doreen does not know how she would have coped without everyone's kindness and support and her heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone. Cyril Watts would also like to extend his thanks to everyone who has helped Doreen. Without such help it would have been extremely difficult for Doreen to have visited him in hospital. 27
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