46 The Link Magazine • October 2004
Refugees and asylum-seekers discover the delights of Lydiard
Churches together
Ninety refugees and asylum-seekers living in Swindon were welcomed at a barbecue organised by the town's Roman Catholic Deanery group and The Harbour Project at Lydiard Park on 4 September.
The five member churches of the Partnership of West Swindon and the Lydiards will be looking at what it means to be 'United' in their annual joint service on Sunday 17 October,10.30am, at Oliver Tomkins Schools. Adults will meet in the junior school and there will be activities for young people and children in the infants. Members of the ecumenical team will be joined by speakers Derek Collins, the Methodist Superintendent for Swindon and Marlborough, and Mike Haslam, the Anglican Ecumenical officer who will help them explore the theme of United We Stand. Newcomers to faith as well as regular churchgoers will be welcomed. For details call the partnership office on 874221.
Helper Robert Barrett said that a dozen languages were spoken that afternoon by people with origins in Afghanistan, Eritrea, the Congo, Iran, Turkey, Kosovo, Albania, Somalia and many other places. "There was conversation about conditions in the Congo, religious persecution in Afghanistan and about the problems of dealing with the British Home Office. But there was much more talk about the glorious weather, the food being cooked - both halal and Asda's best- and about living in Swindon. "As refugees live all over the town, this was a chance to meet each other and to see the beauty of Lydiard Park. They met ordinary people from Swindon and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon in each other's company. So many refugees had good things to say about Swindon and the people who live here. In fact many of them sounded more positive than some native Swindonians I know. "Meeting refugees and asylum seekers puts all the newspaper reports and harsh headlines in perspective. It should come as no surprise that refugees and natives
Somali guests taking shelter from the sun under a tree To help support refugees in of Swindon have so many concerns that are the same. We came Swindon, contact Faith Mitchell at together as strangers and we left the Harbour Project on 07793 as people who look forward to our 820488 or Swindon Catholic Jusnext meeting. It was a great after- tice & Peace Group through Fr Liam Slattery on 535089. noon.,,
Discover the faith The next Alpha course - exploring the basics of the Christian faith - starts at the Vicarage in Lydiard Millicent on Wednesday 29 September, 7.30pm, until to Wednesday 8 December. To find out how Alpha could change your life, contact Peter or Ro Knight on 772417.
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Howdy Pardner! The North Swindon Baptist Church is organising the Trailblazers Holiday Club offering rootin' tootin' cowboy fun for 5 to 11 year olds, from 25 to 29 October, 10am to 12.15pm, at Abbey Meads Community Primary School Book a place by calling Jackie Mitchell on 341743.
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