SPEAR homeless hostel opens in Richmond

SPEAR homeless hostel opens in RichmondEarlier this year we started a knitting group called Plain & Pearl. We welcome all ages and all abilities from total beginners to experienced knitters and operate a “buddy” system to offer advice and assistance. Refreshments, needles, patterns, ideas and help are provided.
Plain & Pearl meets once a month on the second Tuesday of the month in the Parish Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

On the 11th of December 2011 the Church Youth Group met in The Greenwood Centre for the annual Christmas supper, this year with a Mexican theme. Some prepared the meal: tortillas, and banana split, with a healthy portion of salad, while the rest of the group joined in some Christmas activities and games, like karaoke and making crackers.

After our wonderful Mexican meal everyone joined in one last game, before heading home after a great start to Christmas. I am sure everyone really enjoyed the evening and great thanks are owed to the people who helped organise it.

Grace Ramsay

January's youth group film night went really well. We enjoyed watching the Academy Award Winning Peter and the Wolf featuring the music of Prokofiev. We popped popcorn and watched the film, then enjoyed a couple of games, one devised by Maddie Studholme.

Our plan for February is to put on an Olympics themed night to get everyone into the spirit of the year ahead. More details soon.

Looking further ahead we hope to make use of the kitchen, and have received offers of help to cook with the group. We also hope to be able to organise an 'outing' or two with visits to a climbing wall and Go Karting both popular choices amongst the group, so watch this space.

We hope that the Youth Group will be able to continue to integrate into the church community, and enjoy opportunities that will be presented through the celebrations of the Jubilee and the Olympics.

The Youth Group currently meets every month.  If you would like to find out more about the group please email emily@stmarywithstalban.org.

Emily D’Silva

Joe MoffattJoe Moffatt