Celebration Hog Roast at St Martin’s

Deryn McAndrew

We had always planned that we would hold a celebration when “Phase 2” of the re-development of St Martin’s was completed, so when the car park was finally handed over for our use, we planned a “do” to mark the delivery of the two new internal toilets and utility room, the new west door, plus the car park and new disabled entry to the tower.

These changes have already had a significant effect on the church – and we are now reaping the benefits of the hard work put in over a long period of time.

The event was wonderful – over 70 people attended, and it all went as planned. The weather was kind and warm, so the many children attending spent most of the time out in the car park and churchyard, enjoying themselves as only children can…………Meanwhile for the rest of us:-

  • Father Mark acted as “MC” and kept the programme running
  • Special guests – the Archdeacon and Area Deanopened the new toilet block and demonstrated the “first flush”
  • The aikido team, who meet three times a week in the community area, gave us a demonstration of fighting with swords on the front lawn
  • The benefice choir gave us “Bless this house” (with some words slightly updated to refer to the toilets and car park), and “All in the April evening” which they had been practising for Llinos Wallace (who was unfortunately unable to attend).
  • Dan and Laura Curtis, who have supported us through the weekly lunchtime concerts gave us some music, as did our own Junior church, who had learned a special song for the day.
  • We had a viewing of some photos of the development as it progressed which had been worked into a brilliant presentation accompanied by music.
  • The Hog Roast, of course, was delivered from a gazebo on the front lawn
  • Lots of salads and desserts were provided by attendees from all of the benefice church families ……………..
  • And there were soft drinks and wine available for all……….

There was no charge for the event, albeit donations were requested for drinks etc., and we had a raffle. We did not quite cover the cost with that, but we did have a few nice donations which made up the difference, so in the end there was no cost to the benefice.

The evening was slightly marred by an accident when Gaynor Rees fell off the front steps in the crush to get out to see the aikido demonstration – very unfortunately, she broke her ankle and damaged the tendon – so will be some time having to wear a special “boot” to assist healing. Needless to say – we are moving as quickly as we can to put in place a new railing to prevent that sort of accident happening again………

An evening to remember………………!!