A ‘BUS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Have you seen the old grey mobile library about in the village over the past year? This is the youth bus that every Monday, from 7-9pm, can be found parked on the road by the Sports and Social Club. A team of people give up a few hours a month to make this happen but why do we bother? At St Peter's we realised we didn't really know many of the young people in the village, so set about through the youth bus to put that right.

We've had a great time sitting and chatting, or playing games on the field or doing some art work whilst having soup or hot chocolate. There's also a variety of things to eat which are provided by the team of ‘cooks’ – the favourite is the home-made bread! And sometimes we get asked very challenging questions like why is the world in such a mess, why is there suffering, why should we believe in God? Such questions have certainly generated some good discussion and points of view.

This very thing of being alongside people and sharing the love of Christ is just an expression of loving God and loving our neighbour as ourselves. This is what Jesus taught His Disciples over 2000 years ago and is still relevant today. It's another jolly good reason for being on that bus on a cold winter's evening.

This venture was set up by your Parish Church of St Peter's with the help and expertise of Malkit Thiara from the youth club, behind the village hall, and Greg Bartlem, the youth officer for the Diocese. It provided another youth activity augmenting Malkit's work. It was responding to a need identified in the ‘Village Voices’ which consulted on all aspects of village life.

But, earlier this year, in view of reduced budgets, the county youth service came under threat and, after a survey by the County Council, it was recommended that Wellesbourne youth services should close. However, in the intervening months, interested parties including St Peter's Church, the Parish Council, the Lions, Wellesbourne in Bloom and the youth club management group have met. An expression of interest was submitted to Warwickshire County Council about continuing the current youth service with the above partnership and buying in expertise. This has been accepted. More work has yet to be done but we do have some breathing space to sort it all out.

Please pray about the future provision of services for our young people. If you're interested in helping to take forward this proposal please contact Cynthia Hilditch on 01926 640621. If you're interested in helping with the youth bus, come down one Monday night and have a chat.

Wendy

Flower Festival at Walton: report on page 5

The bells ring out again (page 6)

WI visit mother of pearl works: see page 7.

Marco – the gentle giant & friend (page 8)