Family Fun Day

Saturday 21st July 2012

After the spell of dreadful weather, this was the “first day of summer” with blue skies and plenty of sun (I know there was plenty of sun, as having been on site for 11 hours in total, I went home in the evening rather sun burnt)!

Back for its 4^th outing in 5 years, our Churches Together in Surbiton Family Fun Day was another triumph.  An estimated 1500 people visited Alexandra Gardens during the afternoon which created a fantastic atmosphere and community spirit.   Attractions provided included a bar-b-q, refreshments, arena “Olympic” games, music, 4 large inflatables, crazy golf, under 5’s play area, face painting, prayer tent, and much more. 

OLI has been involved and indeed a lead player in the event since the beginning in 2008, and this year were joined by The Community Church, Christ Church, Surbiton New Life Baptists, St Andrew’s & St Mark’s, Surbiton Hill Methodists, and The Grace Sanctuary.  

Our ecumenical “church outdoors” service at the end of the day was attended by at least a couple of hundred people from all of the churches, and people from the wider community in Surbiton and Tolworth.   Ably led by Adam Stacey, minister at Surbiton New Life Baptists, a mixture of well known hymns, prayers, scripture and a talk given by Adam.  Adam also interviewed Jacklord Jacobs who, as an amateur, represented Nigeria at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. A year later he won the silver medal at the 1993 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Tampere, Finland, where he was beaten in the final of the light heavyweight (– 81 kg) division by Cuba’s Ramón Garbey.   He spoke about the joy of being an Olympian, and also how his faith has helped him in his career and life in general. 

A huge thank you to all those who visited during the afternoon, and especially those who helped out during the day.

Andrew Richardson