Men's Group
Report on the Men's Group latest visit.
Gentlemen why are you are missing out by not joining us on some of our wonderful visits we are having like the last one; we look forward to seeing at our next evening out.
We had a really informative and enjoyable visit on the 7th March 2012 looking around the3M’s factory at Newton Aycliffe. This factory is one of eighteen 3M manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and all part of a Worldwide Group which manufacture a variety of products.
Some of the3M products are well known i.e. 3M Scotch tapes, masking tapes, “Post it Notes”, Health and Safety products i.e. Respirational Face Masks, Ear Defenders, Foam Fillers, Spray adhesives for all trades. “Make & Break” Jointing systems and Spillage Control “Sorbents” giving a simple way to clean up spills, drip and fluid leaks, 3M’s product list is endless.
Aycliffe are in the forefront of innovation with new ideas and practices for a local factory and work on a 24 hour shift basis. They manufacture respirational and aids for persons working in hazardous conditions, i.e. face masks, filters and absorbent pads. Aycliffe turns million units per year, yes millions, goodness knows where they all go to?
It was intriguing just how simple everyday items are so complex to make and require special machines and equipment’s to produce them, a credit to their workforce. The factory is an ultra-clean environment so as not to contaminate any of the products and their main priority is a safe working environment for all their staff. This visit just shows what can be done locally and they deserve much more credit for what they are doing. We thank Ian MacMurray and his Colleagues for giving up their free time and arranging a very interesting and informative visit to their factory.
We were gobsmacked and to help us recover our posture and “absorb” all this information we adjourning to “The County” for a well-earned meal and some “Light” refreshments.
See you at our next outing?
The Men’s Fellowship within the parish gives a valued opportunity for the male members of the congregation to meet together on a monthly basis. Usually on the second or the third Tuesday evenings, our meetings vary from formal dinners with speakers to visits to the local Royal Mail sorting office; from hearing about how someone came to faith through a near-death experience to playing quoits at the invitation of the local club.
The Men’s Fellowship does not have a set membership list. Meetings are organised to which all men in the Church and wider parish (and their friends) are invited to attend. As the title suggests, fellowship is important to us. This is facilitated by a relaxed atmosphere in which no one “stands on ceremony” – there is very little formality. Fellowship is often encouraged by enjoying a bar meal together following these visits and meetings which take us away from the Church.
As well as fellowship, the Men’s Fellowship often gives us an opportunity to learn about important issues from visiting speakers. The visits we make to companies and organisations in the region help us to be more aware of, and to reflect on, what is going on in the world around us.
For details of our meetings, please refer to the monthly Parish Magazine and to the notice boards at Church.
Contact Information
Telephone Number: 01325 469891
All Saints and Salutation Church
Ravensdale Road
Blackwell
Darlington, DL3 8DT
How to Find us
From the town centre: Progress along Coniscliffe Road, turn left into Hartford Road and then right into Ravensdale Road. We are on the left (approx 300 yards).