Hundreds of families flocked to the church marquee at the Suffolk Show and enjoyed a variety of activities that link the church with agriculture.
The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich hosted stand 601 in the Flower Show Avenue on 28 and 29 May where there were children’s activities, face painting, crafts, puppets, games, free tea and coffee.
A family treasure trail with prizes was launched around the Suffolk Show ground allowing parents and children to discover amazing people, places and stories. There was promotion of Suffolk Historic Churches Trust sponsored ride and stride fundraiser for cyclists and walkers on 13 September from 9am to 5pm in aid of the county’s churches. Last year £200,000 was raised.
The county has more than 500 church-related buildings and half of the money raised goes to your chosen building, the remaining 50% supports the grant-giving function of the Trust.
The Diocesan acting bishop, the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles, is keen that the church maintains strong connections with farming that were established by the previous bishop, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, who was last year’s President of the Suffolk Agricultural Association.
Bishop Graeme recently attended Suffolk Agricultural Association’s School Farm and Country Fair at Trinity Park for 4,500 children aged seven to nine.
Bishop Graeme said: ‘‘The Fair is designed to introduce children to the world of farming, agriculture, food production, wildlife and livestock. It is seen as the first step towards the association’s goal of educating young people about the world around them and perhaps interesting them in career options based around agriculture.I saw children and teachers interacting with farmers and other agricultural specialists, experiencing many different aspects of farming, food production and the environment through demonstrations, activities and hands-on exhibits.
Now we have the Suffolk Show and this so visibly reminds us of the need to care for the land and livestock in Suffolk. It reminds us of where our food originates – and educates on what it is like to farm in the 21st century. The Suffolk Show brings together the county to celebrate and showcase so much of what makes our beautiful part of England so special.”