Saint John’s Church and Shildon Mayor, Cllr. Henry Nicholson, joined together on Saturday 23rd August for what was both a poignant and joyful occasion.
At 11.45am the family of the late Cllr. Theda Bannister gathered at the new gates to the church to hear the Mayor pay a moving tribute to Cllr Bannister, in whose memory the gates where erected.
Revd. David Tomlinson spoke of a lady loved by her family, the church congregation of which she was part and the town for which she worked so hard.
With gates officially ‘opened’, the celebrations got underway as twenty five stall holders, a bouncy castle, and Lanchester Brass Band entered into the spirit of the occasion. With children queueing to hook a duck, and adults tucking into strawberries, cream and scones, even a rain shower midway through didn’t dampen proceedings. With the raffle drawn and people drifting home one lady summed things up nicely: “Theda”, she said, “would have loved this, Saint John’s at the heart of our community, a church community that cares what happens outside its walls!” Revd. David and Mayor Henry thanked everyone for all their hard work and for putting on a day with a real Shildon buzz.
All raffle prizes have now been claimed.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
