A team of members and missionaries from Chesterfield performed a Helping Hands day of service project at Eyre chapel, owned by the Catholic Church, in Newbold.
Following a request for help from Peter Barr, Chesterfield Borough Councillor for Linacre, the team removed weeds and overgrowth in preparation for mulching the borders. The mulch has also been kindly donated by a local garden centre.
Eyre Chapel is owned by the Catholic Church and is run by a board of trustees for the benefit of the community. Eyre Chapel stands on the highest point of Newbold Village in Chesterfield, at the meeting point of four ancient trackways. It isn't known who first built a chapel at Newbold but, in the mid-1200s, the Abbot of Welbeck became Lord of the Manor of Newbold and may have converted an existing building into a chapel. The Chapel takes its name from the Eyre family who bought the manor of Newbold in 1570.
Eyre chapel has also played a significant part in the history of the Church locally, as meetings were held here from time to time prior to the opening of the new meeting house. Eyre chapel was a beautiful setting for many Christmas, New Year and Easter services that were held there, and many Church members have happy memories of the times spent, which included Easter egg hunts for the children and parties including an 80th birthday party for church member Stephen Rhodes, the nephew of Cyril Rhodes of Rhodesia fame.
Councillor Barr commented, 'It’s been so good today re-establishing a link with your Church and the Chapel, it’s great to share a piece of our town history… we thank all your members and missionaries for their help, and please come back soon!'