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A HUGE festival for families will take place in Bolton on Easter Monday. A group launched to transform the town centre into a family friendly environment will showcase its first major event. Street performers, barbecues and live bands will be included in the 120 act line-up for Monday’s B Festival. The day of entertainment will raise funds to give local charities Bolton Hospice and Street Angels a boost. The B Festival is the first event to be held since licensees, door staff, taxi firms, CCTV operators, Bolton Street Angels, police and Bolton Counciljoined forces earlier this year to stamp out the reputation of Bolton’s nightlife being a place only for drinkers. The festival is returning to the town for its second year and boasts entertainment at 14 venues including The Dog and Partridge, which plans to have an outdoor stage, Downtown, The Blue Boar, Dragonfly and The Balmoral. Asif Vali, chairman of the partnership and Bolton Taxi Company Association, said: “It is absolutely brilliant that so many musicians are coming into the town. It is going to be a fantastic family day, children are welcome to go to events. We want to make it into a day where everybody can enjoy themselves.” Ten of the bars are opening their doors to children who are accompanied by adults until the early evening. Family friendly acts include cheerleaders, fire eaters, DJs and bands. Many of the bars will have 10 different acts performing throughout the day. Steve Hoyle, vice chairman of the partnership and owner of Downtown, said: "We want to make Bolton a vibrant place again. We want to give it a different culture. There will be something for everyone, solo artists, DJs, acoustics, four and five piece bands, soulmusic, modern, jazz. "All the people performing during the day are doing it for free. It is a big showcase for them and this is what it's all about." Wristbands are on sale and will get people entry into each of the participating venues, which are all within walking distance. Changes already introduced since the partnership was formed include a tougher stance against drunken people, taxi marshals to ensure people get home safely, the banning of drink promotions and free drinking water at all times. Mr Hoyle said: "We have had some fantastic feedback about that partnership. It's slow but things are improving — we are trying to get people to enjoy themselves again. It is nice to see all the bar owners talking and there's police with smiles on their faces as incidents are at a minimum." Ch Insp Mark Bell, for Bolton police, is showing his support by bringing home baked treats for the festival to be sold for charity. Fun will start at noon and run into the early hours. Wristbands can be bought at the venues for £4 for all bars or people can pay £3 just to enter one bar. A full programme of events can be found on Facebook by searching B Festival Bolton. Stockton Town Pastors launched a new mobile support unit on Maundy Thursday, 17th April, on Stockton High Street. The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Barbara Inman gave her support to the project and officially launched the vehicle. Project Manager Steve Brock talked about the history and reason for the vehicle and that it would give an extra dynamic to the work in Stockton on weekend evenings. Chair of STP Trustees Rev. Derek Rosamond thanked those who had helped with getting the vehicle ready and then prayed for the project, the vehicle and those it will help. People were then invited to see the vehicle ahead of its first night on the town at night on Saturday. Alongside the volunteers others who attended the launch included the Police, local authority, benefactors, churches, CNI Network and Hartlepool Town Pastors.
I was very encouraged as I sat in a meeting looking at alcohol, binge drinking and the night-time economy the other week to hear that alcohol related crime in the UK has reduced over the last 10 years - interestingly since initiatives like Street Angels took off in greater numbers! A connection?
Easter is all about new life. This weekend we celebrate the death and coming back to life of Jesus - a moment that defines history, an event that changes things! The message of Easter and the message of Jesus is that of God's Kingdom demonstrated as reality for people and communities on earth. A reality of peace, hope, love, joy, safer streets, renewed life - not some distant wish but here and now - 2014 in your community and your world! The fact that alcohol reduced crime has reduced over the last 10 years is part of the Easter story! As the church (and community) move onto the streets to pray, love, serve and help, God's Kingdom is demonstrated as a reality in terms of lower crime, safer streets and the lives of many impacted and changed. All over this nation and all over this world the Easter story will be celebrated and remembered once again this weekend. Yes there will be church services and Good Friday walks and Easter Sunrise events (along with hot cross buns and Easter eggs) but also there will be Kingdom bringing moments when: Foodbanks give out food parcels; human trafficked victims are rescued and supported; vulnerable people on the streets at night are helped by a Street Angel, Street Chaplain, Town Pastor or Street Pastor; the lonely are visited; those in debt are supported to get out of debt; the homeless are given food and a bed; and someone smiles, says hello to stranger and shows care and compassion .... The Easter story lives on - God's Kingdom continues to be a reality - love, joy, peace, purpose for living, hope, life is yours and yours for sharing! We challenge you to connect with the Easter and Jesus story afresh this weekend - let it define your history, let it change your world! Paul Blakey MBE Founder Street Angels and CNI Network Vic Van Der Bergh coordinator of Tamworth Street Angels had the privilege (and pleasure) of talking to a very nice Michelle Dawes on BBC WM radio regarding David Cameron and his comments on Jesus and the 'Big Society'.
Click the link for the interview: http://victhevicar.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/david-cameron-jesus-and-big-society.html What a fantastic day at the #CNIConf yesterday! Great music from Jonny Walker to open; inspiring and challenging words from the patron Bishop Tony Robinson; great to hear what projects are doing including recognition for Bridlington and Halifax Street Angels and to hear how the 3 minibuses will be helping people on the streets. Stories from Festival Angels Leeds and the need for volunteers and the offer of first aid training from Street Angels First Aid. Jarrod Cooper was amazing - a spot on message around the most powerful and important thing we bring to the streets is ourself. Jesus did ministry with a rag-tag of people and went around helping people - rather like what we do on weekend evenings! The need to realise that in life we juggle balls and the work ball is the one made of rubber whereas the family, friends, spiritual, health balls are all made of glass and they are the ones that will shatter. Jarrod encouraged us to travel, read so that we see things differently and to renew every 7 years so that we don't become stagnant - we need to be life long learners. When we look at humanity often the help we offer is only a sticking plaster - but when we bring Christ we touch the soul of the brokenness - when heaven is in us we can change atmospheres - when heaven kisses our life we can kiss the world! The afternoon saw various workshops - Jonny and his church of the holy kazoo; Kym-Marie Cleasby and the amazing work of Wash My Pink Jumper; Tom Spencer and team talking around counter terrorism; Beth Tash helping new areas to think and be equipped to launch Club Angels; Richard Staples and how to link with the media especially how to tell stories that will be covered; and the I.AM film - wow what a powerful 25 minute film and one that many projects are considering how it can be used within night-clubs, pubs, pop-up shops, the safe place drop-in's, schools on the new vehicles, etc. Philippa Hanna finished the day (and evening concert) with a mix of story and song - from a life where she felt the odd one out and self-harmed, struggled at school, drank and had not much direction to today where she sings on stadium tours to 20,000 and shares her story to help others. Some of the young people we help on the streets are the Philippa's in 10-15 years time - from a life that is battered and bruised to one where love, hope and faith take over and life has vision and purpose. I hope all that attended had a great day - if you missed it you missed a significant and special day as local groups connected, prayed and committed to support one another as a region in the future. From yesterday 24 local projects will not be the same nor will the communities they serve as we renewed our commitment to be the kiss of heaven... Bridlington Street Angels looking to expand
Bridlington Street Angels are looking to expand their Saturday night patrols from four per month to at least fivenights per month thus enabling them to cover some Friday nights. The Street Angels are therefore looking to recruit more people to join their teams and they are arranging a new free training session starting on SATURDAY 10 MAY at Emmanuel Church in Cardigan Road, Bridlington. The training will be on eight Saturday mornings running through until early July and anyone wishing to join find out about night-time Bridlington can join them on a patrol for a ‘taster’. People often ask what it is like between 10am and 3pm on the streets of Bridlington on a weekend and how they are received. The answer to both is, great and amazing. They get smiles and nods of approval from the door staff, club owners and the police, who appreciate them, and from the revellers they get lots of hugs and high fives. Through the work of Bridlington Street Angels numerous people have received help and assistance since they started in June 2012. Recently, on Monday 7 April 2014, the Chairman of Bridlington Street Angels, Mr. J Peter Wilson (pictured below), attended a ceremony at the Guildhall in Hull where he received a High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire Award “to acknowledge the outstanding work…in establishing the Bridlington Street Angels” and “in recognition of the great and valuable services to the community.” To join this award-winning team all prospective volunteers need to be over the age of 18, willing to commit to patrol at least once per month, operate within their Christian ethos of helping others and to undertake the free 16 hour training course which includes learning the role of a Street Angel, listening skills, drugs and alcohol awareness, safe talk and conflict management. Those who are interested in this work need to contact them by either emailing [email protected] or by calling their administration office on 0845 203 4510. To find more details of Bridlington Street Angels readers can visit their website at: www.bridlingtonstreetangels.org.uk Source
The Oddfellows, one of the UK’s largest and oldest friendly societies, has donated £500 to support the work of Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy. The organisation created and organises the Street Angels team who work on the streets of Watford during Friday and Saturday evenings helping make sure clubbers get home safely. Street Angels work closely with both the police and nightclubs to ensure that the town centre is a safe place for people who are out to enjoy themselves. Although a Christian organisation, the Chaplaincy and Street Angels aim to be non-judgmental in their approach to people and their needs. The donation from the Oddfellows Society will be used to buy equipment including the water, soft shoes and foil blankets that they hand out to clubbers who get themselves into difficulties. Watford Street Angels’ Richard Chewter said: "It is always a blessing when groups such as this support the work we are doing to try to make the town a safer place. This gift will enable us to provide more equipment in order that we can serve the heart of the town in a more effective way." John Jemison, secretary of the Great Berkhampstead District of the Oddfellows Society, said: "We have been inspired and humbled by what we have learned about the work of the Street Angels. We hope that our donation will help them continue to offer comfort and support to the vulnerable people they meet each time they venture on to the streets of Watford." KEY 103 has kick started its Operation ‘Street Angels’ by meeting some of the dozens of volunteers who have signed up to the scheme. We launched our campaign in the light of a number of young deaths following nights out in the City Centre. The Street Angels Charity already operates in 125 towns and cities across the Country and we’ve made it our mission to set up a team in Manchester. Today we held our first meeting to set the foundations in place: Not long until our Northern Conference in York on Saturday 12th April. This will be a great day of networking, workshops, ideas sharing and equipping for your work on the streets and in the clubs. Can we encourage you to book so we know how many to cater for - see here. CNI Network are also planning Afternoon Tea at Lambeth Palace on Monday 20th October. We aim to make this a special afternoon with some special VIP guests invited. Because of the nature of the event numbers will be limited to 70 so we suggest you book early! This day will launch our year of 2015:10 celebrations which includes the 2015 National Conference from 23rd - 25th October 2015 at Slaley Hall in Northumberland - more details soon... A joint Press Release from 24-7 Prayer Ibiza, The Living Room in Tenerife and Street Angels in Majorca is encouraging people to stay safe as they holiday in Spain this year - Angels are watching over you as you head to the beach this summer! This is a great article for local media as well so please email them! Some exciting opportunities to serve within CNI Network projects: Majorca Street Angels - because of the impact of the teams in Santa Ponca last year this year they will be out and about in Magaluf every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 4am and 7am. However the Police are keen to see teams out 7 days a week especially over the peak of the season. See www.streetangels.es for information. There are also opportunities to join short and long term teams in Ibiza with 24-7 Prayer and The Living Room Tenerife. Tour de France Grande Depart - it is hoped that teams across Yorkshire will be out and about on extra nights as the Tour de France Grand Depart visits the region and those connected with the Tour, world's media and visitors spend time enjoying Yorkshire's nightlife. Leeds Festival Angels - this major music festival on the outskirts of Leeds over August Bank Holiday weekend attracts 90,000 people including several Festival Angels! Running the Lost Property, a Prayer Cafe as well as detached work across the site volunteers are wanted to help make this happen. See www.leedsfestivalangels.org.uk for more information. Congratulations to:
Well done to former Street Angel Georgia Harrup who got through to the quarter final of BBC's 'The Voice' - Georgia wrote the song 'Time of Need' (available free as MP3 download) for Street Angels. Change of address - CNI Network has changed its postal address to "CNI Network, The King's Centre, Park Road, Halifax, HX1 2TS" From the Blog: Future of Alcohol Policy Conference Stockton Town Pastors April Newsletter Suffolk Town Pastors article Street Angels Spain on Talk Radio Europe Home Office Minister congratulates YUSU’s Street Angels project I.AM a new short film From drug dealer to Street Angel Warning over ‘pre-loading’ risks Hull Street Angels in such demand, 10 more volunteers are urgently needed Paul and Jean visit Beverley and Hull Trinity Street Angels Major plans to make Bolton town centre more 'family friendly' Day of Prayer email of thanks to CNI linked projects Bradford Street Angels honoured at City Hall for safety work York students' union in Street Angel scheme hope Plans emerge for a weekend Alcohol Treatment Centre in York City Centre Paul's Big Bible article for this month Campaign to stop sexual harassment in nightclubs A Royal Hangover Don't forget the #Do1NiceThing Lent Challenge - see www.do1nicething.org.uk or search #Do1NiceThing on Facebook and Twitter...
Diary: Wednesday 2nd April - Street Angels Manchester City Centre planning meeting, 12noon - 1.30pm at Key 103 offices, Castle Quay, Castlefield, Manchester, M15 4PR. Thursday 3rd April - Paul speaking to Leeds Ladies Coffee Club. Monday 7th April - Skipton Street Angels th Anniversery and Commissioning Service, 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Skipton, BD23 1NJ. Tuesday 8th April - Paul and Trevor attending a meeting with church leaders and Street Pastors in Manchester around night-time work in the city. Wednesday 9th April - Paul speaking to Thornhill Mothers Union Saturday 12th April - CNI Network Northern Conference, 10am - 4pm; CNI Network AGM at 4.10pm; Philippa Hanna in concert at 7.30pm - Manor C.O.E. School, Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6PA. For more information and to book see here. Tuesday 15th April - Paul speaking to Lindale WI, Wakefield Thursday 17th April - Stockton Town Pastors civic event to commission the new mobile support unit - 4pm on Stockton High Street (parking area south of The Shambles) - see here Happy Easter! Please pray for all our projects over the busy Easter weekend (some projects will be out Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday!) Monday 20th October - Afternoon Tea at Lambeth Palace - see here for more information. Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th October 2015 CNI Network National Conference, Slaley Hall, Northumberland - more details soon.
The Annual General Meeting of the charity 'Street Angels - Christian Nightlife Initiatives' takes place on Saturday 12th April at 4.10pm as part of our Northern Conference in York. The papers (draft balance sheet, chair of trustees report and overview of 2013/14) will be posted a few days before on our web site. Each local project is classed as a member and as such is entitled to a vote / say at our AGM - all of our trustees (Sara Barrie, Trevor Bendrien, Steve Brock and Andy Burns) are standing for re-election and we have received one nomination from Kym-Marie Cleasby to stand as a trustee. If you have any comments to make or are not in agreement as a local project please email us or bring to the AGM. Connect with CNI Network: Ok so last night I broke my heel, wandered about in no shoes until them beautiful little 'street angels' gave me a rockin pair of flip flops These flip flops are like a gift from god, thankyou street angels @cninet what wonderful work you are doing. Inspirational to read about and motivational too. Bless you. Thoughts / Notes from The Future of Alcohol Policy Conference, London 25/3/14:
Public Health England: Alcohol costs individuals, others, society much of it preventable. Costs society £21billion a year: (£11billion crime, £3.5billion NHS and £7billion loss of productivity) 10% of the population drink 45% of the alcohol consumed Chronic liver disease is the only cause of death where there is an increase, other chronic diseases showing a reduction. Camden Council: Night-time Economy (NTE) is a priority area - asking what is a vibrant NTE? Identify local needs and look at partnership approach. Want to move from crisis management to prevention Lambeth Council: In terms of NTE - Austerity - they are looking at eliminating costs and that whoever is causing the costs needs to pay for it. Effects on business and residents - NTE brings in a lot of revenue - there is gain and suffering from NTE Commission - need to share responsibility on outcomes - solutions need to be local to the area Sexual Assault and violence against women is a huge problem - this is an area of need British Beer and Pub Association: 15 million people visit pubs each week and 1 billion meals are served annually Each pub on average raises £107k in tax, contributes £80k to local economy and £2.5k to local charities As an Association they want to support localised grass-roots partnerships Since 2004 there has been a 23% reduction in alcohol related crime (interestingly when Christian based Street Angels and Street Pastors projects were launching!) Alcohol Concern: Make local local! Drinking culture is mainstream Local economies are dependent on alcohol Dry bars are on the increase as an alternative to alcohol centred night out Situations in towns centres are only a small part of the problem Portman Group: Need to protect children around alcohol issues - education and parents Engaging Employers - employer alcohol policy Health - street drinkers initiative in Ipswich is something to watch Personal Responsibility Innovation is key part of solution Asda: There is a 16% reduction in alcohol consumption in the UK Supermarkets are not keen on minimum pricing but about promoting positive change - Asda sell lower strength alcohol which tastes as good as higher strength. Increased point of sale promotions - seen 4% year on year increase in sales of lower strength alcohol products. Change consumption through taste and enjoyment 85% of high strength alcohol not sold in supermarkets but convenience shops Advertising Standards Authority: Alcohol consumption has fallen since 2004 (again when Christians started to engage with NTE!) France have banned alcohol advertising and binge drinking amongst young people has increased - in England 55% reduction in teenagers drinking alcohol, in France 12% increase for over 15 year old's and 21% increase for 13-15 year old's. Need to research what is going right Alcohol misuse is a problem for the minority UK is middle of the tables in terms of European alcohol consumption Drinking amongst 11-15 year old's is falling, proxy buying is increasing as is drinking amongst older people (Sagalouts!) Paul's Article: As one who visits towns and cities on Friday and Saturday nights to see night-time projects such as Street Angels and Club Angels in action I found the 'Future of Alcohol Policy' conference very interesting. I, and reports from our local projects, have noticed a shift in the night-time culture from nine years ago when Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were more or less equally as busy to a scene today where the majority of people tend to have a town centre night-out only once a week (typically Saturday). Pre-loading is an issue as people stay at home longer and drink shop purchased alcohol. These factors are having a massive effect on the pub and club industry. As I tour towns and cities across the UK I meet many amazing people - doorstaff, managers, bar workers, DJ's, promoters, police, ambulance and teams of volunteers who all have a heart for local towns and are united in wanting to see safe, vibrant and appealing night-time centres. Many of them have full time work outside of the night-time work yet the motivation is often not financial (certainly not the Street Angel volunteers) but a passion for helping others have a great night out. Interestingly since 2004 there has been a reduction in alcohol related crime - this ties in with the launch of Christian based Street Pastors and Christian and Community based Street Angels in England (and indeed we have much evidence on our web site to support locally this national 23% reduction). Maybe there is a link? When the community and church takes responsibility and does something (and prays!) to actively address the problems of violence, sexual assaults, binge drinking, etc within the night-time economy the results are a change in the atmosphere of that locality. Alcohol (and its effects, issues, problems, etc) is an issue we are not going to talk ourselves out of (and I guess locally and nationally there is a lot of talking in a lot of meetings) but rather something we action (and pray) about to produce results. Partnership is key - and I would say the local community is a key partner in anything that is done. In terms of the night-time economy it is, overall, a great place to be! The life, the music, the social aspect, the banter, etc - we need to celebrate it, we need to promote it, we need to offer safety for when things go wrong and we certainly need to promote and encourage alternatives to alcohol such as dry bar's. I liked the Asda approach - lower alcohol content products which taste the same! Positive promotion and messaging - there are surely some lessons to learn there! I am also encouraged, and hear for myself when I talk in schools and to young people, that attitudes towards alcohol are changing - drinking sensibly is something young people tell me time and again - money is better spent on a mobile contract, iTunes or tablet computers! Following the conference I met with the coordinators of Club Angels in Croydon - they shared stories of those they had helped, some of the conversations they had had inside the club venue and the impact of the teams of young Christians in terms of reduction in aggression and violence. What they do is simple - 'chat, help, listen, care' - hand out flip-flops and lollipops, offer first aid and check people are having a good night. Yet somehow it has a positive impact! These are young people are into the club scene yet chose to spend time helping others (and some will be in Ibiza, Majorca and Tenerife over summer picking up the pieces of British young people on holiday). Maybe this is the future of alcohol policy, certainly in terms of the night-time economy - action not talk, caring not judging, positive, practical support and advice... Former Suffolk police sergeant, Neil Boast, who helped establish the Town Pastors scheme has been applauded for his services to Suffolk Police and volunteering with an MBE.
The Town Pastors offer assistance to anyone who needs it during nights out. Since starting during 2005 in Ipswich the scheme has been set up in nine different towns. Neil Boast, 51, worked for Suffolk Police for more than 32 years and spearheaded the Town Pastors initiative, said: “It’s fantastic and I’m overwhelmed. It makes you reflect on your whole life and who has invested in you, cared for you, loved you and even criticised you because they drive you on to keep on doing things.” Well done to Neil from CNI Network... :-) |
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ROC Angels - an initiative of ROC (Redeeming Our Communities)
Charity - 1139817 / Registered Company - 7327258 Postal Address: ROC Angels, c/o The King's Centre, Park Rd, Halifax, HX1 2TS E-Mail: [email protected] (founder / CEO) / Phone: 07725501465 |