Following in the long tradition of village parish churches, we recognise the unique and privileged role given to us at the heart of our community. Our church is used, not just to host religious services for our local schools and other organisations but for non-religious activities too, including art and music. In addition we have begun two community initiatives.
SALTWOOD TODDLERS was started in November 2012 and has been welcomed by parents and carers in the village who bring their babies and toddlers for a couple of hours of play, craft, and singing. “Warm, happy atmosphere”, “A very good programme” and “Friendly and welcoming” have been some of the comments made by parents.
The average attendance has been 15 or so parents or carers and their children. “This is a good number as it enables us to provide space for all the activities in an enjoyable, comfortable environment,” comments Sylvia Manly, who heads up a team of ten helpers. “The positive response we’ve had so far is entirely down to the enthusiasm of team,” she adds.
The group meets at 9.30-11.15 every Wednesday at the Lads´ Club during school term times .
Parachute fun.
SALTWOOD CAMERA CLUB is now in its third year. Its aim is to encourage members to use their cameras and produce images to share and discuss at the monthly meetings. More than 20 local snappers have joined since it started and have enthusiastically taken part in the monthly assignments, which have ranged from portraits to night-time photography.
“It´s good to see that this initiative by the church has had such a good response from the community,” says Eddie Manly who leads the club. “And, it´s great to see how we have all improved our photography since the club started. We are looking forward to continuing this with more photoshoots where we can encourage each other and learn from the more experienced photographers among us.”
The club´s website, www.saltwoodcameraclub.org.uk, is regularly updated after the monthly meetings, which are held at the Lads´ Club in Rectory Lane every first Thursday starting at 7.30pm.
Portrait session at the Saltwood Camera Club