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A Celebration of our Community
Article written by Nigel Finch of Somerset Web Services who updates and maintains the Creech St Michael website for the community of Creech St Michael.
On Sunday 13th September 2009, over 40 representatives of groups in Creech St Michael, joined together in a moving service named ‘A Celebration of our Community” and organised by Ian Aldersley, Priest in Charge, St Michael Church.
The service was opened with an introduction from Ian,
“We have come together to share worship, prayer and thanksgiving, and to celebrate the rich diversity of groups serving people of different ages, skills and interests in this place.
“Today we renew our sense of duty and service, and show appreciation of all those who give of themselves for the good of this community after the example of Christ our servant King.”
It was extremely encouraging and rewarding to see such a positive response by all the groups in Creech. There were so many active groups all very keen to describe their services to all members of the congregation and demonstrate what a vibrant community we have in Creech with so much going on.
Groups, volunteers and more formal organisations are providing a huge range of facilities for all ages groups, from the young to the young at heart across all walks of life! These range from a pre-school activities for under 5’s through to the Creech over 60’s club, as shown below. There seems to be an activity for just about anything you could imagine.
The service was inspired by Ian Aldersley, Priest in Charge of Creech St Michael, Ruishton, and Thornfalcon. At Ruishton in 2008 a similar event was held at which 33 groups were represented. It was such a successful promotion of the groups and affirmation of their leaders that Ian felt it should be repeated for Creech St Michael.
A representative of each group had the opportunity to talk briefly to a packed congregation at the church and describe the various services they offered to the community.
Groups and their representatives who presented at the service included:
| Friendship / Activities / Entertainment | |
| Creech St Michael Gardening Club | Gerry Norris |
| Somerset Wildlife Trust | Mary Stevens |
| CARDS Creech & Ruishton Dramatic Society | Suzanne Parker |
| Hells Wrinklies | Barrie Dixon |
| Creech St Michael Twining Association | Nigel Farrow |
| The Great Western Society | Peter Triggs |
| West Somerset Railway | Peter Triggs |
| Phoenix Camera Club | Peter Triggs |
| Uniformed Organisations | |
| 1st Henlade Beavers | Steve Holden and Beavers |
| 1st Henlade Cubs | Barbara Williams |
| 1st Henlade Scouts | Steve Ward |
| 1st Henlade Guides | Muriel Cole |
| Other Groups and Organisations serving Young People | |
| Creech St Michael C of E School | Charmian Roberts |
| Creech St Michael C of E PTA | Ruth Farrow |
| Creech St Michael C of E PTA School of Governors | Ruth Farrow |
| Smiley's Childcare Club | Ruth Farrow |
| Creech St Michael Community Preschool | Debra Insall |
| Toddler Group | Mrs Jasmine Riches |
| Creech Baptist Church Holiday Club | Chris & Jo Pollard |
| St. Michael's All Age Worship & Band | Ilonka Aldersley |
| Service and Friendship Groups | |
| St. Michael's Church Community Lunch | Lesley Toms |
| Tea Break | John & Jackie Harris, Gary & Vivien Grief |
| Pop-In | Eric & Peggy Cartwright |
| Creech St Michael over 60's Club | June Chandler |
| St Michael Church Choir | Peter Cox |
| St Michael Church Bell ringers | Paul Forbes Harper |
| Local branches of national and international organisations | |
| Royal British Legion | John Upham |
| 3 parishes Mother's Union | Kay Wilson |
| Women's Institute | Ruth Farrow |
| Administration and Communication | |
| Creech St Michael Parish Magazine | Michael & Helen Phillips |
| Creech St Michael website | Nigel Finch of Somerset Web Services |
| Parish Council | Eileen Webb |
| Meeting Places, Shops and Village Events | |
| Creech St Michael Flower Show | Sandy Adams |
| Creech St Michael Village Hall | Eileen Webb |
| The Bell Inn, Creech Shop & Post Office | |
| Service to the Community - largely unseen but valuable | |
| Baptist Church elders & volunteers | Revd Dr. Lance Birks |
| St. Michael's Churchwardens | |
| St. Michael's Parochial Church Council | |
| Care of church & churchyard and minor repairs | |
| Church flower arranging | |
After the celebration service we walked over the bridge to the garden of Mrs Josie Hopkins where all were treated to delicious free cream teas served by Sandy Adams and St Michael’s church hospitality team. Mrs Hopkins can be seen below receiving a bouquet of flowers from Ian Aldersley as thanks for her generous hospitality.
Thanks were given to organist Peter Cox, the church choir, AAW band and everybody who took part in the Celebration of our Community.
Special thanks were also given to Sandy Adams and her team of helpers who produced and served the delicious cream teas which rounded off a perfect afternoon of friendship and warmth of community togetherness.
Nigel Finch, 17th September 2009
