Jane Chippindale

1 week ago | halifaxcourier.co.uk | Jane Chippindale

I’m really lucky to know some very old people. It’s an honour to work with them and learn from them. One of my friends is well over 100. I was thinking of her the other day and of her 100th birthday. She decided that she didn’t want presents. She has a house full of books, pictures, everything she would ever want. Family and friends who love her and treasure her. She collected money for trees for the local primary school in Northowram. A joyous meeting occurred outside in the forest school area.

1 week ago | halifaxcourier.co.uk | Jane Chippindale

It was my granddaughter’s 12th birthday party last week. A local restaurant was booked where portions were huge and delicious, a dangerous combination. Two hours of feasting followed. I knew I had overdone it… I was stuffed!My older grandchild, 15 and wise, looked at me and taking pity said: “Fancy a walk, it’ll take half an hour to get home?”He reassured me: “I know the way.”I made a mental note… I had satnav on my phone. Popping it in my pocket we set of at a pace. I soon forgot the phone.

3 weeks ago | halifaxcourier.co.uk | Jane Chippindale

We all do it, the ritual…“How are you?”“Alright…” we reply, whether we are or not. It's a bit ridiculous when we’re in the doctor’s surgery, waiting to be seen. “Hello, how are you?”“I’m alright…”“So why are you in the doctors?”“I don’t know… perhaps I should go home!”The truth is that all of us, aren’t “alright” sometimes. Maybe we’re never alright. Sometimes we are ill, sometimes we are worried, sometimes lonely or sad. Sometimes we don’t want help but we need to be heard.

1 month ago | halifaxcourier.co.uk | Jane Chippindale

What does "home" mean for you? I always feel glad to arrive home after a journey with busy traffic or returning home from holiday and back to familiar comforts. Hopefully "home" is the place where we also find love and companionship, where we can share and reflect on our experiences, where we can find support and understanding. It can also be a place of hospitality where we can welcome the wider family, visitors and even strangers.

1 month ago | halifaxcourier.co.uk | Jane Chippindale

Recently the government came to an agreement with the EU to improve links. I can only rejoice at that. I have strong connections with Europe through family in Switzerland and Germany. Whenever I meet fellow-Europeans I am struck by how much we have in common and how mutual friendship can enrich our lives. When the Christian church was founded, it was very much a Jewish religion. But soon the Gospel spread to Syria and Cyprus, and Gentiles (non-Jews) became believers.