Bolton-le-Sands United Reformed Church

Bolton-le-Sands

The Bolton-le-Sands Church and rooms sits on an elevated position in the village and commands views over the Lancaster Canal and Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland Hills.

Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth. LA5 8D

100

Marjorie Turner celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at an Afternoon Tea Party at Bolton-le-Sands United Reformed Church hall on 3rd July.

She was born in Carnforth to Edwin and May Penswick, but her father was killed in France in the First World War in April 1917.

Marjorie attended the Church School at Carnforth and Lancaster Girls' Grammar School. Her mother May was a talented pianist who at one time had a small dance band, so Marjorie grew up with a love of Dancing and singing.

She lived in Bolton-le-Sands for several years as a girl with her mother and stepfather Norman, and during this time made many friends in the Girl Guides. Later they lived in Morecambe where Marjorie loved to dance, especially at 'The Tower', and she was a keen member of Morecambe Warblers and Archie Collis' Wartime Concert Party. A number of pictures taken throughout Marjorie's life, including one of her with Morecambe Warblers and of her other musical days, were on display at the party.

Marjorie worked for the railways, mainly at the District Engineer's Office on Castle Park, Lancaster and this was where she met Ted Turner, a widower with a daughter Margaret. They were married in 1948 and had two sons, Brian and Michael. Ted died in 1979.

On returning to Bolton-le-Sands in 1954 Marjorie continued her love of entertainment by producing and performing concerts and pantomimes for the Congregational Church and the Women's Institute. She was also secretary of the URC Women's Guild for many years.

Marjorie was also a member of the WRVS which included helping at the village Baby Clinic and delivering Meals on Wheels.

Marjorie remains cheerful and has a smile for everyone, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Four great granddaughters provided some entertainment at the party and the WI also performed. The great granddaughters finished by performing 'Bring me Sunshine'. By all the happy faces at the party, both family and friends, Marjorie has brought a lot of sunshine.

Ganizani Phiri

We are now sponsoring Ganizani Phiri, a boy from Rumphi in northern Malawi in Africa . He was born in 2001 and is one of a family of five children. The family is Christian and they speak Chewa. The house where they live is made of mud baked bricks and has a thatched roof.

Where Ganizani lives is a district characterised by hills, valleys, a tropical climate and unspoilt indigenous forests. Most families like Ganizani’s rely on farming for food and income.

With only one hospital, one health centre, one doctor and an average 10kms walk to the nearest health facilities, families like Ganizani’s lack any form of healthcare.

Children walk up to 8kms a day to reach school where the teacher pupil ratio is 1:81. Boys are given preferential treatment when it comes to education. Ganizani is fortunate and goes to the local school where he is learning to read and write.

We receive news of Ganizani regularly. The letter includes his drawings of things that most children, especially boys, enjoy.