As it is Christmas week, I wanted to devote my Year of Reasons Campaign to our wonderful places of worship.
Like so many of you, I will attend services with my family over the Christmas period. And we are spoiled by the many lovely churches, chapels and other places of worship throughout the Moorlands. Due to space, I can only mention a few here.
Earlier in the year, I visited the Church of the Holy Cross in Ilam, which is famous for a being one of the few Anglo-Saxon churches where a Saint is buried.
It was fascinating to see the tomb of St Bertram, a place of pilgrimage where people can request prayers. One of the beautiful stained-glass windows in the Church is on the front of my Christmas card this year.
I also had a lovely visit to St Lawrence Church, or ‘The Chapel in The Wilderness’ as it has been called due to its remote location. The Grade 2 star listed building, has fantastic views and is located just on the edge of Rushton Spencer.
I am always pleased to be to attend the Remembrance Day service at St Edward’s Church in Leek. The church is full of Leek’s history and there has been a place of worship on the site since medieval times.
As always, I would like to thank all those working in the emergency services – the police, the fire service and ambulance crews, as well as those working in the NHS and care homes and everyone working over the festive period.
Finally, I know that you will join me in thinking of everyone working away from home including all those serving in the armed forces who are unable to be at home at this special time of year.
I wIsh everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
