Suffolk Show President Elect the Bishop of Suffolk is enjoying a packed two days - including meeting hundreds of visitors at the Church of England marquee where families enjoy face painting, puppet shows, artwork, games and free refreshments.
The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, which covers almost all of the county, will be joined by his wife Revd Canon Jutta Brueck and their duties including judging the Art Show, handing out various awards, and viewing the cattle, sheep, pig and goat display areas.
And all refreshment donations at the Church marquee at Stand 602 are being given to the Addington Fund, to support struggling farming families with housing solutions, disaster relief and grants.
Bishop Martin said: “I first came to the show a few weeks after I started as bishop here, back in 2015, and it was the very best introduction to the county I could have hoped for. As we still find ourselves emerging from the disruption of the pandemic, another opportunity to be out together, and to meet friends we may not have seen for some time, is very welcome indeed. As well as fun, the show is a place to learn, whether it is about farming and animals, gardening, skills and crafts, the latest communications technology, or what it is like to ride in a flight simulator, there is no shortage of opportunities to soak up new knowledge. At the heart of the show is farming – the land, food, animals, the cycle of the seasons. We are in touch with the natural world, with the rhythms of life on which our lives depend. I believe the show is not just fun and a place to learn, but nourishment for our souls too.”
The Church of England is hoping that hundreds of people will flock to its marquee to learn how they can enjoy life within a modern-day church during the two day show at Ipswich on May 31/June 1.
The Diocese views its presence at the Suffolk Show as a time to meet with people of all ages in a more relaxed setting, and providing an opportunity for people from across the county to find out how churches offer help and hope in their communities.
The Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich, hopes families will especially enjoy painting and decorate a flock of art sheep at the stand. He said: “We will also be knitting prayer scarves over the two days. Four scarves will be knitted and anyone can come and knit and have a chat while there will also be a prayer for people to say as they knit. The purpose of knitting the scarves is to bring people together and through creativity, conversation and prayer, to provide food for the soul.”