Young people from Saint John’s in Shildon and Saint Michael’s in Houghton-Le-Spring celebrated an historic first, last weekend.
Taking over the grounds of Auckland Castle, former home of the Bishop of Durham, they laughed, learned, sung and explored their way through the three days.
Organised jointly by Naomi Tomlinson, Saint John’s Youth Worker, and Alison Tweddle of the Auckland Castle Trust, the 50 young people engaged in workshops around heritage, faith, wilderness survival, and samba drumming.
Sunday morning saw the Rt. Revd. Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, and his wife Rosemary join the group in the former private chapel of the Bishop for an Agape service.
Speaking on behalf of the castle Alison commented, “The castle is about the community and these kids are just amazing, keen to learn, entering in to everything, and just a delight to work with.”
Naomi agreed, saying, “Giving young people these kinds of opportunities gives them a chance to root themselves in the heritage of our area and in the future that they will create”.
The theme of the weekend was ‘Celebrating Difference’ and the young people came up with many creative ways to include others regarded as ‘different.’
“Children and young people” said Bishop Paul “are one of our key diocesan priorities, for they are our present as much as our future and to share a couple of hours with them is a privilege indeed.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
