1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Dear friends
Suffer little children
Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for
such is the Kingdom of Heaven: King James Bible.
As a child, I heard the words “suffer little children”. Well, I didn’t
want to suffer. I was not impressed. Eventually it made more
sense.
Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the
Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them: Good News Bible
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is
to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs: New
Revised Standard Version
It is our responsibility as Christians to care for others. Think of
the many people who have left Syria and are living in camps
with few or no belongings – numerous children among them.
What would we feel like in their circumstances? Helping people
directly or indirectly is needed.
I was a stranger and you took me in.
Earlier this year I had some time in London with my daughter.
Catey and I looked in a visitors’ leaflet and we walked the short
distance to the Foundling Museum. We had few expectations,
but what a treat we had. And what a rollercoaster of emotions.
In the 1700s there was real absolute poverty. There were no
benefits. If dad went out to sea, for example, there was no
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money for food unless and until he returned home. If the boat
was lost families starved.
In the early 1720s Captain Coram, then a London merchant, was
appalled by the sight of babies and young children abandoned in
London’s streets. Lacking wealth and social connections Thomas
Coram had to campaign for 17 years before he finally received a
royal charter in 1739 to establish his Foundling Hospital with the
support of William Hogarth and George Frederic Handel.
The hospital provided care and education to thousands of
children. Demand for places was huge and a system of balloting
was needed to decide who should be admitted. Initially the
children admitted were up to 2 months old and the father had
abandoned the family. Most children were illegitimate – a deep
social stigma. After 1756 children were admitted up to the age
of 12 months, and mothers had to give a token to the hospital
to be kept with a child to show that they were related – a piece
of ribbon or a verse on a scrap of paper or a trinket. This
enabled mothers to reclaim their children if their circumstances
improved.
I mentioned “emotions” earlier on. Well, one of the rooms in
the museum was full of these tokens – representing children not
returned to their mothers. There was a conker on a string as a
necklace, a squashed thimble and a stone.
Captain Thomas Coram did his bit for humanity in an age when
this was rare. He was a stranger to the children but he took
them in.
So if you are in London, not far from Euston Station, I
recommend a visit to the Foundling Museum and be prepared
to be overwhelmed by what Thomas Coram did.
Ann Rook
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FAMILY NEWS
At the time of going to press, Bill Glossop is still in the Northern
General Hospital. We continue to think about him and Judy.
We continue to remember those of our Church Family who are
in care homes and those who are housebound.
Jim Martin
THANK YOU
A big thank you to everyone from Leslie and Christine Smith for
the many kindnesses received on the occasion of their recent
Golden Wedding Anniversary. They were all much appreciated.
Thanks to all those who sent me articles for Take Notice this
month. It was much appreciated.
Thank you to everyone for the many gifts of food, warm
bedding and money which we have taken down to the
Cathedral Archer Project. These gifts will make a huge
difference materially to the people who use the project but also
show them that people care, even though we have never met.
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Also thanks to everyone involved in the Harvest ploughman’s
supper which raised £44 for Christian Aid. We had a lovely, but
noisy, time doing a variety of craft activities and preparing and
sharing food.
CHRISTIAN AID EVENTS
Saturday 16th November 2013
Concert for Christian Aid at St Andrew’s Church 31 Psalter Lane,
Sheffield S11 8YL - with the Loxley Silver Band and the Westside
Singers. Tickets £10 (£7 concessions, £4 students in fulltime
education, children under 12 free but MUST have a ticket)
available from Tel: 269 5263
Saturday 7th December
Carol singing in Fargate. There is a rota so 2 or 3 churches sing
for an hour at a time and our slot is usually 12.30 to 1.30 p.m.,
usually with Central URC. Could a few of us get together to
boost numbers? (See Elaine if you are willing to do this.)
CHRISTIAN AID
Some comments from Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of CA
Why did you want to take on this new role?
In the past few years, as Archbishop of Canterbury, I've become
more aware of the priority of development and aid issues
worldwide. I was wondering how best to carry on this work
when I stepped down, so when the suggestion came that I might
think about this role I was delighted.
Christian Aid's latest strategy is called Partnership for Change.
How important is it for a spirit of partnership to inform how
we work?
One of the most important things in any kind of aid organisation
is to recognize and build the dignity of people we're working
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with. It won't do to see them as victims, as recipients of handouts. We are bound as Christians to work in such a way that
they have the dignity of themselves as givers, as people with
something to share, and the model of partnership that Christian
Aid is developing takes that kind of dignity absolutely seriously.
How do you feel about Christian Aid's commitment to work
with and for people of all faiths and none?
It's very important that Christian Aid has a perfectly clear
Christian vision animating and energising it. Without that energy
we wouldn't be where we are. But, while we come from a
Christian background, we need have no qualms about extending
what we do, how we partner with anyone and everyone. We
don't need to be anxious about that.
Christians are not always portrayed as a particularly dynamic
group. Do you think it's possible for a Christian organisation
such as ours to retain a radical agenda for change?
It's not only possible but essential that a radical agenda remains.
We are in Christian Aid presumably because we're not prepared
to sit down quietly under a system that seems unjust and that
pushes people out of the way for the sake of profit - a global
system that often overrides the interests of actual human
beings and societies. It's of the first importance that as
Christians we say we live from a set of values that will challenge
the way the world runs. And while we're not in the business of
violent revolution, or the expectation of overnight change, we
have to go on saying that change is possible; we've seen it
happen, and with the grace of God we can make it happen.
Article from Grange-over-Sands & Allithwaite URC magazine
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WALKING GROUP
The walking group will take a break over the winter, and resume
at half-term in February. Any suggestions for 2014 will be very
welcome. Thank you all who have supported the walks in 2013.
Jenni Slack
LADIES’ GROUP
Cathie Harris and Faye will be talking to us about Guide dogs on
Wednesday 13th November at 8 p.m. in the Garden Room.
Refreshments will be on sale with the proceeds going to Guide
Dogs for the Blind.
We shall be going to Joe and Dolores (the former Dore Grill) for
our Christmas meal on Wednesday 4th December at 7 p.m.,
giving us time to see the Dore Lantern Parade before we go in.
The meal will cost £18.50 - please see Jeanne for menu choices
and to pay £3.50 deposit.
The book we were to read for our January meeting has been
changed as it was only available as a hard back. The one chosen
instead is ‘The Choir’ by Joanne Trollope. If you’d like me to get
you a copy please let me know.
Jeanne Clark
TRANSPORT 17 CHRISTMAS FAYRE
This will be held on Saturday 16th November from 10 – 12 noon
in their Baslow Road office.
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SINGING IN OUR BUILDING
Fancy a good singsong? Two groups meet on our premises both
of which offer the opportunity to enjoy yourself – and keep fit by singing.
SHINE ACADEMY – Shine On Choir
This is a contemporary modern choir teaching breathing, pitch,
movement and song in a great environment with like-minded
people. The choir is really building with about 30 members but
will not go above a certain number so as to keep things close
and more bespoke.
There are several Christmas shows coming up:
Dec 4th the Dore Lantern parade
Dec 5th 8 p.m. at Dore and Totley United Reformed church
Dec 7th 12.30 p.m. at The Forge, Dronfield
Dec 14th at Bradway Bowling club
This choir is a celebration of ladies, their camaraderie and their
strength. So step out and join us, Ladies, you will have no
regrets. Learn to really sing with Sheffield's own Diva!
Liz Mack
Enjoy singing in the shower? Why not join ROCK CHOIR in
Sheffield?!
The National Phenomenon ‘ROCK CHOIR’ that is sweeping the
country is now running in Sheffield with weekly fun rehearsals
held weekly at Dore & Totley United Reformed Church.
Whether you are an experienced singer or just a novice, Rock
Choir is the choir for you! Rock Choir is for absolutely anyone of
any age or ability.
Sheffield Rock Choir is led by local musician and performer Kate
Threlfall who studied piano with the London College of Music
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and trained at the renowned Italia Conti Academy in London.
She says “I am very proud of what Rock Choir has achieved since
we started in 2005. We pioneered the new move towards ‘no
auditions and no requirement to read music’ in choirs and we
really do welcome everyone into our family.” Rock Choir is all
about having fun with singing and enjoying some well-deserved
‘me time’ and members go away from the sessions feeling
relaxed, refreshed and confident. We never ask anyone to sing
on their own unless they want to and it’s just brilliant - everyone
should try it!
Rock Choir is now the UK's leading contemporary choir and we
have recently been featured on The Alan Titchmarsh Show and
had our own documentary on ITV1 called The Choir That Rocks.
This year we also performed our very own show live at the
Liverpool Echo Arena which according to one Barnsley member
was “A unique and spine-tingling experience. To be given the
opportunity to sing with thousands of other Rock Choir
members in such an iconic venue was a dream come true for
me.” In the last year Rock Choir has performed at Graves Park
for the Weston Park Cancer Charity Fun Run, Meadowhall
Shopping Centre for Support Dogs and the Sheffield Winter
Garden. We are always on the look-out for local performances
too!
Our weekly sessions are friendly and up-beat and our unique
arrangements of pop, rock and Motown songs make singing in a
choir fun and rewarding! There is so much to be excited about
when you join Rock Choir - the singing, the performing, the fun,
the health benefits and of course it's one of the best ways to
engage with your local community and make new friends for
life.
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Come along and experience for yourself the benefits of singing
in a choir! Book your FREE taster session or join us now - go to
www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276. Brand new weekly
sessions run every Thursday (excluding school holidays) from
11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Dore & Totley United Reformed Church.
We look forward to meeting you there!
Kate Threlfall
The flowers on
November are in
memory of Gladys and
Sidney Edwards
(Bob’s parents)
17th
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REMEMBRANCE
Will you buy a Poppy sir?
Will you wear it well?
For you will hear a band, sir,
not a screaming shell.
It’s good to hear you’re well, sir,
and feeling in the pink
Two minutes isn’t long, sir,
to close your eyes and think.
Will you buy a Poppy sir?
Now that it’s November?
And more important,
may I ask, sir, will you remember?
We see our children play and
laugh,
we watch them as they grow.
We remember,
and we bless
the men who made it so.
Will you pray, sir, will you cry?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, so will I.
Glyndwr Evans
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THE SENILITY PRAYER
O God, grant me the senility
to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into
the ones I do like
and the eyesight
to tell the difference.
Sent in by Ann Rook
THE PASTOR'S CAT
Hope the story leaves a bright spot in your day. Whoever said
the Creator doesn't have a sense of humour?
Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his
church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard
and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered
warm milk, etc. The kitten would not come down. The tree was
not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied
a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could
then reach up and get the kitten.
That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car.
He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would
be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved
the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went
'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of
sight.
The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighbourhood
asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen
a stray kitten. So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to
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your keeping’ and went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocer’s and met one of his
church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart
and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater
and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat
food when you hate cats so much?'
She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her
little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing.
Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mum
finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you
keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the
yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor,
you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten
suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws
outspread, and landed right in front of her.'
Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of
humour. Anyone can count the seeds in an apple; but only God
can count the apples in a seed.
Give me a sense of humour, God; give me the grace to see a
joke, to get some humour out of life and pass it on to other
folks. And remember: each day is God's gift to you; make it
blossom and grow into a day of beauty. Never doubt God.
Sent in by Jean Fermie
A FESTIVE CRACKER
Please book tickets early for this concert on 8 th December and
let Elaine or Brenda Harrison know if you would like a lift. We
are happy to arrange this. It promises to be a great evening –
not to be missed!
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One of the latest initiatives is to collect food from shoppers in
the Morrison’s supermarket once a month with one group
collecting between 10–12 noon and another between 6–8 pm.
Another aim is to offer two weekly collection days locally in
addition to the delivery service. It is hoped these will be at the
Meadowhead Christian Fellowship in Jordanthorpe on Tuesday
mornings and at the Gresley youth centre in Lowedges on
Thursday afternoons. The food bank volunteers anticipate a
simple arrangement of welcoming the users, making them a tea
or coffee and handing over the pre-packed food. In addition
volunteers will be available to listen if the user has other issues
the food bank may be able to help with or refer the user on for.
Last year at Christmas the food bank collected toys but as it is
hard to know in advance how many families would be involved,
the thinking this year is to try and send out each box with a
giant box of sweets/chocolates with a card.
Jeanne Clark
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Sheffield Rep Orchestra
presents
A Festive Cracker
at Dore and Totley URC
on Sunday 8th December at 7 p.m.
Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and
Symphony No.7
and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto
Guest soloist Kenneth Brown
(Halle Orchestra)
plus a selection of Christmas
favourites
Seasonal refreshments
Tickets £6 (£5 concessions) phone
2365607
Profits in aid of Lost Chord and
Good News Family Care
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EATING IN THE UK IN THE 1950s
Pasta hadn't been invented.
Pizza was something to do with a leaning tower.
A takeaway was a mathematical problem.
Prunes were medicinal.
A Chinese chippy was a foreign carpenter.
A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining.
Brown bread was something only poor people ate.
Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking.
Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.
Fish didn't have fingers in those days.
Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.
None of us had even heard of yoghurt.
People who didn't peel potatoes were regarded as lazy.
Indian restaurants were only found in India.
Cooking outside was called camping.
Seaweed was not a recognised food.
"Kebab" was not even a word, never mind a food.
Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded as
white gold.
All crisps were plain; the only choice being to salt them or not.
Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we'd only ever seen a real
one in pictures.
Water came out of the tap. If anyone had suggested bottling it
and charging for it they would have been a laughing stock.
Rice was a milk pudding, and never part of the main course.
Tea was made in a teapot, using tea leaves, and we had never
heard of green tea.
The one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties
was our elbows!
From St Swithin’s Church magazine
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HUMOUR FROM CHURCH NOTICE BOARDS
Snippets mainly from Intake URC magazine:
Don't think that God can't use you
with talents small and few...
Remember that the mighty oak
was once a nut like you!
ETERNITY
SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING
IT’S A HELL OF A DECISION!
God so loved the world that He
didn't send a committee
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a
chance to get rid of those things you no
longer want to keep around the house. Don’t
forget to bring your husbands.
The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s
new tithing slogan last Sunday “I upped my
pledge – up yours!”
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First
Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double
door at the side entrance.
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The Sheffield Floral Club
Annual Exhibition of Flower Arrangements
EMERALD ANNIVERSARY
at Dore and Totley United Reformed Church
Arrangements and competition entries
on display
Raffle, tombola and plant stall
Thursday 21st November 2013
10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Tickets £3.00 payable on entry
Donation to SAKA
(Sheffield Area Kidney Association)
ALL WELCOME
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DAVID & GOLIATH KRISS-KROSS PUZZLE
3 letter word 5 letter words 6 letter words
God
brook
afraid
4 letter words David
armies
bear
fight
battle
five
giant
cheese
Gath
Jesse
cubits
lion
sheep
helmet
Saul
sling
Israel
tall
spear
killed
5 letter words staff
shield
bread
sword
stones
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7 letter word
Goliath
8 letter words
brothers
champion
forehead
shepherd
9 letter word
forty days
11 letter word
Philistines
FOOD IN THE BIBLE
1. Who found honey inside the body of a dead lion? Samson
2. Elisha purified a pot of stew that had been poisoned with
what? wild gourds
3. Who served cheese, milk, and veal to the Lord when he
made His appearance in the form of three men? Abraham
4. Who traded his birthright to his brother for some bread and
lentil stew? Esau
5. What did John the Baptist eat in the wilderness? locusts
6. What did the widow make for the prophet Elijah? bread
7. Who woke up under a tree and found an angel had cooked
food for him? Elijah
8. What type of bird did God provide for Israel in the desert?
quails
9. What did the spies which Moses sent not return with?
Honey
10. When his brothers came to buy food, in whose sack did
Joseph place his cup? Benjamin’s
Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the
Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He's so big we can never kill
him." David looked at the same giant and thought, "He's so big I
can't miss."
Q. Why was Goliath so surprised when David hit him with a
slingshot?
A. The thought had never entered his head before.
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COFFEE ROTA
Nov 3rd
Elizabeth Keech and Liz Walkden
th
10
Ella Lawrie and Isobel Frew
17th Jean Walker and Gill McAdie
24th Helen Miller and Marie Gleadhill
FLOWER ROTA
Nov 3rd
Jane Moffat
10th Dorothy Land
17th Vera Edwards
24th Margaret Pike
SUNDAY MORNING DOOR STEWARDS
Nov 3rd
Jane and Robb Studd
th
10
Shona Picken and Gill McAdie
17th Neil and Ella Lawrie
24th Elizabeth Keech and Brenda Hague
DUTY ELDERS’ ROTA
Nov 3rd
Elaine Ferguson
th
10
Judith Norris
th
17
Derek Spiers
24th Margaret Barron
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November Diary
Sun
3
Family Service at 10.30 a.m. with communion
conducted by Revd Shirley Knibbs
Wed
6
Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m.
conducted by Mrs Margaret Warwick
Meet for a sandwich after the service.
Thurs 7
Social Club at 8 p.m. - Sir Walter Raleigh by
Ms Maureen Taylor
Sun
Remembrance Day service at 10.30 a.m.
conducted by Miss Anne Dale
10
The Traidcraft stall will be open after the service.
Mon 11
Elders’ meeting at 7 p.m.
Copy date for December/January Take Notice. All
articles in writing to Jeanne Clark by this date,
please
Tues 12
Totley Brook Club at 2.30 p.m.
Mr Tolson – “Lock up your daughters”
Service of prayer for help and healing, 8 p.m.
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Wed
13
Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by
Mrs Fiona Green
Ladies’ Group in the Garden Room
(see separate article)
Thurs 14
Social Club at 8 p.m. – Member’s night
- Derek Spiers
Sat
16
Transport 17 Christmas Fayre
Concert for Christian Aid at St Andrew’s Church
(see separate articles)
Sun
17
Family Service at 10.30 a.m. conducted by
Mr Greg Unwin, the Terminus Initiative
Elders’ election: 1st ballot. Please return your
papers by Tuesday 10th December
Wed
20
Thurs 21
Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m.
conducted by Revd Shirley Knibbs
Sheffield Floral Club display (see separate article)
Social Club at 8 p.m. ‘Music Illustrated’ by
Mr John Lee
Sun
24
Family service at 10.30 a.m. conducted
by Revd Shirley Knibbs
Wed
27
Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by
Miss Anne Dale
Thurs 28
Social Club at 8 p.m. – Member’s night Mrs Elizabeth Keech
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Directory
Phone
Group Minister Rev. Shirley Knibbs
235 2271
25 Longford Road, Sheffield S17 4LP
Email: [email protected]
Deputy
Shona Picken
235 0696
Chair
2 Poynton Wood Crescent, Sheffield S17 4NB
[email protected]
Secretary:
Elaine Ferguson
236 5607
32 Rushley Drive, Sheffield S17 3EN
Email: [email protected]
Assistant
Jane Studd
236 1192
5 Devonshire Road, Sheffield S17 3NT
Email: [email protected]
Treasurer:
Rob Studd
236 1192
5 Devonshire Road, Sheffield S17 3NT
Email: [email protected]
Pastoral Care: Jim Martin
236 2403
15 Moorview Court, Bradway Drive
Sheffield S17 4PD
Email: [email protected]
Editor:
Jeanne Clark
236 7390
8 Abbeydale Park Rise
Sheffield S17 3PD
Email: [email protected]
It would be appreciated if you take notice of the fact
Tuesdays have been designated as a free day for Shirley
www. doreandtotleyurc.org.uk
A Member of the South Sheffield Group of United Reformed Churches
Meersbrook Park, Michael Church & Dore & Totley
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Mon
Tues
2nd Tues
Term-time
2nd Tues
Wed
Term-time
1st Wed
Thurs
Fri
Zumba
T’ai Chi
Tatty Bumpkin (preschool yoga)
Shine Academy
Slimming World
Aerobics
Lunch Club
Yoga
Computer course
Totley Brook Club
Martial Arts
Beavers
W.E.A. Abbeydale Writers
Shine On: Ladies’ choir
Service for Help and Healing
Pilates
Coffee morning
Mid-week Service
Brownies
Ladies’ Group - not often in church
Zumba
Rock Choir
Pilates
Pilates
Zumba
Social Club
Creation Station
Scottish Dancing
Ella Lawrie has contact details: tel. 236 6294
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10 – 11 a.m.
11.30–12.30 p.m.
1 – 1.45 p.m.
4.30 – 6 p.m.
6 - 9 p.m.
6.30 – 7.30 p.m.
10 – 1.30 p.m.
1.30 – 3.00 p.m.
1.30 – 3.30 p.m.
2.30 – 4 p.m.
3.45 – 5.45 p.m.
6.15 – 7.15 p.m.
7 – 9 p.m.
7.30 – 9 p.m.
8 - 9 p.m.
9.15 – 11.15 a.m.
10 – 12 noon
11.30 – 12 noon
6.15 – 7.40 p.m.
8 p.m.
10 – 11 a.m.
11.15 - 12.45 p.m.
1.30 – 2.30 p.m.
5.15 – 7.15 p.m.
7.30 – 8.30 p.m.
8 – 10 p.m.
10 – 12 noon
7.45 – 10 p.m.