Last Saturday saw the first meeting of our new Parish Youth Group, set up for children in Years 5-9. It took place in Wulstan Hall and was a resounding success. Eighteen young people from the school/parish community came along and had a fun filled evening led by Parish Youth Leaders Andy Perry and Hannah Hall, who were inspired to offer to run the group by their time spent working at Alton Castle Youth Retreat Centre in Staffordshire.
There will be one meeting a month (dates to follow) and the session will run straight after Saturday night mass. Many of the children who came along met Andy and Hannah for mass first and then went over to the hall afterwards. The evening started with some games and then the group sat down together to decide what they wanted to get out of their evenings together. They came up with with some great ideas for other things they might do together, including trips out to the cinema or bowling, as well as attending Diocesan Youth events such as Alton Castle youth retreats and the annual ‘It’s a Knockout’ event. Father Stephen came over to talk to the group and to wish them well. The evening was finished off with pizza and candle-lit evening prayer.
If you have a child in Years 5-9, and they would like to come along to the next session on April 8th you can pick up a form from the school office, or get more information from Mr Perry.
A group of parent and parish volunteers, Stuart Adams, Sinead Guppy and Nicky Garrad, went along to cook and serve the pizza and to clear up afterwards. Other volunteers to help in this way at future meetings would be very much appreciated (again see Mr Perry).