Suffolk Town Pastors celebrate together

A total of 259 Town Pastors and Prayers, representing many churches throughout Suffolk, met together for the day at the BT site at Martlesham to celebrate their achievements over the last four years.

 

The day was organised by Town Pastor leaders, together with local police, who provided financial and other support.

 

Following lunch at the BT restaurant and an official welcome, delegates took part in break out groups to examine some key issues, including Counter Terrorism Measures, First Aid, RSVP Trafficking, Drug Awareness and Mental Health and Welfare. Each group was let by an expert and delegates rotated to brush up their skills and knowledge as needed.

 

Also on site were police learning and crime prevention stands, and many of the Pastor groups set up own stands so that people from different areas could get to know each other and pick up tips.

 

Later in the day there were formal presentations by Pastors, Senior Police Officers and Bishop Nigel. The afternoon finished with a celebration and thanksgiving service.

Colin Spence, Chairman of the Suffolk Police Authority – “I am immensely impressed by the Town Pastor Scheme. I have been out with the Pastors for a night in Sudbury, where I live, and thought they were terrific”.

 

Simon Ash, Chief Constable – “I am overwhelmed by the attendance here today. From conversations with my front line staff I am very aware that Pastors have become a key part of the night time economy scene on Friday and Saturday - they are now part of an extended police family”.

 

David Sheppard, one of the organisers of the day – “It has been a bit of a nightmare to get this all ready, but some people at BT said to us ‘would you like us to work all day to help get it finished?’, which was a real answer to prayer. And several organisations have provided resources and equipment worth thousands of pounds – there has been no cost to the Town Pastors at all”.

 

Sergeant Neil Boast, one of the key initiators of Town pastors – “I am over the moon about today; there are now more Town Pastor groups in Suffolk than any other county – but of course we could always use more! When I started out on this project I was looking for people I could trust, people to work with the police. Then I met Liz and later Paul and realised these were genuine people. Since then, of course, there have been many others throughout Suffolk. It has all changed my way of thinking”.

 

 

Councillor Jane Chambers, Mayor of Ipswich – “This is really a fantastic day. I have known Paul Daltry for a while now and it has been great to see this vision develop so quickly”.