

The month of FOOD has been a veritable banquet! The events have been many and varied and balanced; just as a good meal should be.
A street party in Handel Road ushered in the theme in a glorious manner. By 3pm the street was ‘shut off; gazebos were lining the pavements and residents spilling out onto the road. As the afternoon unfolded, food appeared (savouries from one side of the street, sweets from the other!) and jazz filled the air as an impromptu group of (excellent) musicians got together. New friendships were forged, children played in the street and all generations freely mixed. It was a glorious occasion.
Ready Steady Cook developed the theme of food in the Baptist Church. Two master chefs from Bristol, assisted by the Heads of Broadlands and Wellsway Schools, provided a hugely entertaining evening. This was followed by a splendid ‘Food-tastic’ evening at St John’s School, celebrating its award as a ‘healthy eating’ school.
Free food at the Saturday Barbecues on the High Street have turned many heads, and filled many stomachs as people have simply received the gift food freely given in a way to reflect that God freely offers life, and desires that we take what he offers unconditionally!
Over the month people have invited into their homes people to share a meal with them… and friendships have been forged as a result.
Chocolate Sunday in the Memorial Park was a day of fun for all ages. The Chocolate Fountain had 1500 visits (not necessarily 1500 different visitors… I suspect the numbers represent a lot of re-visits!), a host of activities were organized by the Elim Church and hundreds attended the outdoor Songs of Praise, led by the excellent ecumenical music group. Lord George Carey spoke so well and helped all that attended to see God in the passions of life.
Whilst chocolate is serious stuff, more serious is the plight of those for whom even the basics are an issue. Fairtrade and Food Security was discussed with international agriculturist Tim Roberts at an interesting and informative evening… whilst that same week we heard at first hand the work being done in Ethiopia by a local, Bristol based charity 4Ethiopia.
As well as tasting the food of the region, and supping copious quantities of fine coffee the team that formed 4Ethiopia sensitively and movingly presented the work they were doing to aid in places where every little helps. 4Ethiopia is to be on the receiving end of some of the money given by the community to sow seeds of kindness – we think we have managed to gather enough to sink a well! We will keep you posted on this and the other places the sowing seeds of kindness is going.
Saturday 21 June 12:00 pm, Keynsham Baptist church
Enjoy a free BBQ burger - on Keynsham High St!
More | Keynsham Baptist churchTuesday 24 June 7:30 pm, Keynsham Baptist church
International agriculturalist speaks out.
More | Keynsham Baptist churchWednesday 25 June 6:45 pm, leaving from Ashton Way, Keynsham
See the lavender in full bloom, enjoy the beautiful scent and see the colony of working bees, producing the tasty honey.
More | Lavender FarmThursday 26 June 10:00 am, Hillier Garden Centre, Whiteway Road, Bath
One hour free very instructive talk on how to grow and cultivate beautiful roses.
More | Hillier Garden CentreThursday 26 June 7:30 pm, Keynsham Baptist church
The country and its food.
More | 4Ethiopia | Keynsham Baptist churchSaturday 28 June 12:00 pm, Keynsham Baptist church
Enjoy a free BBQ burger - on Keynsham High St!
More | Keynsham Baptist church
ONE FOR THE DIARY
Meet Prof Alan EmerySunday 7 September
Sunday Night at the Vic with Prof Alan Emery. | Alans books | Alans scientific backgroundNEXT MONTH
Music and Arts

‘Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us’ Anonymous
Writing about his art form, the U2 frontman Bono famously said : “Music can change the world, because it can change people”. U2’s portfolio over the last 25 years would suggest there is truth in this statement – art can change the world.
The month of July 2008 will include musical and artistic events which aim to demonstrate that good art, far from being removed from the great global and local issues of today, is at their spiritual centre. Indeed reverberations from such art go out from it and impact women and men such that the world is changed.