Christmas Greetings from ACE
Geoff Batchelor, Chairman of Aycliffe Community Engagement, along with the trustees and partners, friends and associates of ACE formerly GACAP would like to wish everyone in Newton Aycliffe a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
They would also like to send Christmas wishes to all at the Big Club, especially, Alan, Tom and Gary for making them so welcome.
ACE recognises that the direction the club is going, whilst still retaining its strong ethics as a Working Men’s Club, has embraced progress and welcomed so many community organisations into the folds of its membership. We wish them continued progress and increased prosperity in the new year.
Following the recent death of Syd Howarth, MBE, their Founder and Life President. The Trustees of ACE’s thoughts and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year go to his family as they work to continue in Syd’s footsteps not just within the newspaper’s continual development but also in agreeing to support many of Syd’s charitable works, including ACE, within the town that stole his heart. It’s a hard act to follow guys but you had the best ever role model to follow.
Joan Mitchie
Why We Celebrate Christmas
A friend of mine, Jane, was in a café off the motorway, somewhere near Sheffield, Jane, her husband Ken and her son James had a long journey and the baby had had enough of his car chair. James was ten months, plump and pink and cute, noisy and loved to make friends. They got some food, but James was more interested in making friends, as babies do. To Jane’s horror James was shouting and waving at an elderly gentleman of the road, shall we say. His coat was held together by threads, he hadn’t seen a bath in a long, long time, he was grimy and smelly. But that didn’t bother James! Peek a boo! Nursery rhymes, hand-clapping all from the elderly man all served to cement the friendship between little James and his friend. Jane and Ken were horrified and decided to leave as soon as possible. Ken went to pay while Jane made a quick get away from this smelly intruder of their nice family trip. Some people came in with a pushchair, her way was blocked, she had to pass by the elderly man. Arms held a loft in a “Pick me up” gesture James launched himself at the elderly man as the mans eyes met Jane’s with a plea of “is it alright?” A very old man and a young baby cemented their love of one another in the warmest closest hug. James laid his little head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. He closed his eyes and Jane saw tears hover beneath his lower lashes. His aged hands, full of grime and pain cradled the baby’s bottom and gently stroked his back.
The old man rocked, then firmly peeled James away from him and giving Jane eye contact handed him back with the words, “You look after this baby. And God bless you, you have given me my Christmas gift.” Jane staggered back to the car and broke her heart, and prayed “My God forgive me, forgive me.”
The real meaning of Christmas is in that story. Baby James is like God, arms open wide ready to love, ready to accept no matter who we are. We are like that elderly smelly man, made tatty by life, tattered by poor choices and hurtful relationships while God holds His arms out if we will just receive him. And that is what Christmas is all about, God born as a baby, with two arms determined to love us, a love that would embrace the least likely, even me and you, with a love that changes our lives. When you look at the manger this Christmas, don’t see a cooing baby there, but a love determined to be satisfied, a baby passionate about being with us and in relationship with us – and that is why we celebrate Christmas.
A Merry, Passionate Christmas to you all!
Rev Ann Anderson
Merry Christmas
County Councillor Jim Atkinson and Councillors Val Raw and Kathy Beetham send Christmas Greetings to the residents of Newton Aycliffe.
SEASONS GREETING
Seasons Greetings to the residents of Great Aycliffe from Councillors Wendy Hillary, Bob Fleming, Malcolm Iveson and Derek Atkinson (Shafto/St. Mary’s Ward).
Merry Christmas
DCC Aycliffe West & GATC West Ward Councillors Kate Hopper & Eddy Adam wish all our residents and the wider town community a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Cllr Eddy Adam 03000 268670 eddy.adam@durham.gov.uk
Cllr Kate Hopper 03000 268727 kate.hopper@durham.gov.uk
Christmas Wishes
County Councillor Sarah Iveson (Neville Ward) and Councillor Jed Hillary wish the residents of Great Aycliffe a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
