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Holiday at Home 2015 - We're Back !!!

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Holiday at home has returned - bigger and better than ever before! On the 6, 7, & 8th July 2015, St Andrew’s Church was confiscated by over 35 wonderful people, (of Tender Years).

Our Staff were working hard to prepare for the arrival of our guests on Monday 6th July. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of food these seniors can put away!
Monday started gently with everyone having a get-to-know you natter, over tea, coffee and cakes. There was much chatting and much catching up on all the news.  After lunch, there were some very serious gaming sessions. All too soon it was the end of day one.

Tuesday 7th July started early and at 09:44 (one minute  early), our coach set off to visit the Cathedral City of York.
Our first coach-stop was to board a river cruise and see the city from the River Ouse. This was a novel experience for most of us. The sun shone on our river-borne adventure and we were smiled upon. The only concern I had was that, in parts of York, freemen can shoot bearded Scotsmen wearing Kilts. (note: How glad I was that I was not wearing my Kilt!).

As we were having our delicious Fish & Chip, or Chicken, or Scampi lunch, the heavens opened and as we boarded the bus the sun came out again.
Next stop was York Minster, where John Anderson (a local preacher in our Circuit) gave us a guided tour and showed everyone’s name carved somewhere within the Minster.
We returned safely (though a little late) to St.Andrew’s.
Wednesday 8th July started with the talents of Sue Allonby, a very gifted storyteller, who held us all in rapt attention, as we were regaled with ancient stories. I for one will never be able to think about burning peat in the same way again.
During this time, our guests were being pampered by three very gifted and heroic ladies from the Red Cross, who spent all of the day giving our guests a wonderful massage.
After another wonderful lunch, we were truly entertained by Kathy Ryan, a charming vocalist. She had us all swaying to the music.
To conclude, we were led in a  simple Communion service by Rev. Christine Crabtree. What a wonderful end to three very special days. Everyone who came on this Holiday-at-Home had a superb and wonderful time. We could tell by all the excited and happily noisy chatter throughout the three days.
Look out for a celebration reunion, early in January, when we will return for a one-day special.
On a personal note, I would really like to thank all the superb team of helpers we had. They all worked above and beyond the call of duty. We also had a very devoted team of car drivers to bring the guests to St. Andrew’s and return them home.
This was a marvellous effort on behalf of the circuit. The numbers were up on last year, and we could have done with a few more drivers. Please volunteer next year, if you can.
3 wonderful days full of happy memories and things to remember. I was not told that the birthday candle was a trick one, that would not blow out.
We are preparing now for January and July 2016, when we look forward to seeing more people at Holiday at Home.


John W,
Circuit Pastoral Co-ordinator

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