Lavenham Church used their grant to help fund a holiday club for local children in the summer holidays. In the week starting 7 August a gallant team of volunteers led the Scripture Union Ancorra Treasure Seekers Holiday Club for local children, taking place from 10.00am until 1.30pm each day. Lunch was served to all of the children before leaving.
A total of 23 Primary school aged children were in attendance, with some coming from further afield than Lavenham – children from Long Melford and Sudbury also attended. The club was based in the Salvation Army Hall in Lavenham, which was kindly lent out for free, which provided the perfect environment for the club as it was safe, enclosed, well equipped and alongside the park.
Each day consisted of a bible story, with each story being a treasure held in the city of Ancorra by the Keeper of the Keys. Each story included crafts and songs. On top of this, there were parachute games, ball games, a relay race and bucket and water games in the park.
Instead of name badges each child and helper was given a new white T shirt, which was decorated using marker pens by writing names and decorations on the shirt.
The results of the holiday club meant that new relationships were forged between the church and local families, and existing relationships were strengthened. Positive feedback was received from both children and parents, and the church plans to build on this by taking Open the Book into Lavenham School in September, and by further seasonal workshop days.
