Report: Edward McCarthy

Two events which took place in Bickerstaffe this weekend showed once again why the village is such a 'special place'.

Holy Trinity's summer fair took place on the parish field; the afternoon was opened by Rev Martin Adams, and attractions included the grand raffle, tombola, cake stall, plant stall, fancy goods, book stall , cake raffle, face paints, birds of prey, and more besides!

Raffle prizes included tickets for two Virgin Train tickets, wine, a Booths voucher, a Vintage Inns voucher, a Derby Arms voucher and more; the afternoon raised £858.70 for church funds.

And on Sunday, it was the Civic Service and walk - the congregation and local dignitaries walked from Heyes Croft along Church Rd to Church. The Civic Service included the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of West Lancashire (Cllr Gaynor Owens and Bernie Green), Borough Councillor for Bickerstaffe (Paul Cotterill), Bickerstaffe School head (Mrs Maggie Teachen) and children, Bickerstaffe PC clerk Jackie Smith and Parish Cllr Brian Shufflebotham, representatives from the Brownies/ Guides, Bickerstaffe MU, Bickerstaffe WI, representatives of local charity Sporting Challenge and of course the church congregation itself.

The special service featuring the church choir was to acknowledge all the organisations and groups in Bickerstaffe and to thank them for what they do; this wonderful group photograph was taken inside church followed by a community 'bring and share' lunch.

The church would like to thanks everyone who helped on both days, Rev. Andrew Housley telling QLocal: "The summer fair and the civic service were wonderful opportunities to gather as a community and celebrate all that makes Bickerstaffe a special place.”