The Annual Gathering Is Alive And In Good Hands!

What was it like to attend the Annual Gathering Festival, a fun-filled event for families across the United Kingdom! Graham S., a member of our North Thames Community, shares his experience and highlights.

FFWPU’s Annual Gathering Festival was held Cleeve House on a warm and sunny Saturday, June 24th. This year it was free to attend. As always families came from near and far and enjoyed the chance to catch up with their own family, old friends and the wider community.

But this year really felt like a changing of the guard with the second generation taking full responsibility for the programme. The music was brilliant and widely applauded as the best ever. The sermon on the subject of faith was given by a brave and confident 21-year old Len C. The Grace Miller award for service throughout the year was bestowed upon well- deserving Alma G. After the morning service, there was something for everyone: a magic show for the younger attendees, frisbee and volleyball competitions for youth with energy to burn; and, for the curious, a chance to meet the trustees for tea and ask questions.

The tea-room serving tea, coffee and lovely cakes did a brisk business. So too did a machine dispensing soft ice-cream – a popular addition to the party. It was also an opportunity to see some of the sterling work that Simon and Chieko, the new caretakers, have been doing: grand renovations in the old library, some communal areas and lots of decluttering around the house and grounds.
Lest anyone returned home hungry, there was a BBQ with chicken wings, burgers and hot dogs served up by a team of expert second gen chefs. In sum, the Annual Gathering is alive and well and in good hands for the future.

This story originally appeared in the North Thames News Newsletter.