Fairfield, Greater Manchester - Feb 2025

As we left what little summer we had behind, church life at Fairfield continued to be busy. On Friday 4th October Fairfield Youth Club started, this is a weekly club each Friday from 7-9pm for 8-14-year-olds. To date we have 10 young people registered with an average attendance of six. Whilst the numbers are low it is hoped these will pick up as word spreads through schools and friendship groups and give local youngsters something to look forward to as the nights draw in.

On 5th October Sr Anne and Br Mel Wood organised a Jam & Jackets event. It was such a happy occasion for all involved. The fun started with doors opening at 4.45pm, giving everyone time to get settled and buy raffle tickets then be entertained by Glossop Ukulele Group. A quiz followed with tea (as we call it in these parts: 'dinner' to our southern Brs and Srs) of jacket potatoes and a choice of fillings followed by homemade cakes and of course gallons of tea and coffee! And then the raffle with lots of great prizes, all generously donated. To end the evening the Ukulele group entertained us again with their singing and playing lots of well know songs so we could join in the singing concluding at 7.30pm. The event raised nearly £500 for the church clock fund but maybe more importantly attracted a hall full of nearly 100 people, many of whom were new visitors to Fairfield and some of whom we pray may come back to join us in the future. The event took a lot of planning and hard work, and we are grateful for the team of willing workers who helped the event be a successful one - not least of all the Glossop Ukulele group who gave their services free of charge. It's been suggested we may do it all again next year so maybe if any of you are planning a visit to Fairfield you may like to join us.

The following Friday, 11th October, a staple of our fund-raising events was held: a Jumble Sale. On this occasion the number of visitors was low, but never the less raised a good sum of £357 for church funds and made the work involved worthwhile.

Our lovely Harvest service on 13th October brought in 12 bags full of food for donation to St Marys Foodbank (for whom we have had weekly church collections for many years now). The large donation has helped them fill their dwindling supplies in the run up to Christmas, but how sad that in a country as wealthy as ours so many people continue to need to rely on foodbanks.

Sr Margery Sutcliffe