DBE at The Royal Cheshire Show
The DBE was invited to participate in The Church at the Cheshire Show at the Royal Cheshire Show which took place on the 16th and 17th June.
The Cheshire Show is a well-established annual agricultural event that attracts thousands of visitors each year, including families and school groups. Being part of the show gave the DBE team an excellent opportunity to engage with families, schools and the community.
The Church tent is a prominent key fixture at the Show serving as a focal point for community engagement and worship. We shared the tent with a local faith based choir and band and organisations.
Members of the DBE team attended over the two days. Our Stand included information about our work and a Prayer Space allowing reflection and prayer. With our links with the Diocese of Melanesia, we displayed shells from the region and invited visitors to time to reflect and add shells to the piece of art.
The theme of the activity table centred on pilgrimage, following the recent visit of the Archbishop of York to Chester. A range of interactive activities was provided to engage children or school groups, to encourage reflection on the meaning and significance of pilgrimage journeys. Visitors were invited to take a printed “Passport Pilgrimage”, and colour in aspects they had noticed or experienced during their visit to the show. In addition, children were encouraged to write on a luggage label a journey or destination that was special to them, and place into a display suitcase.
A popular activity was dry-clay modelling, children created symbols to represent their time at the show, which they could take home as a keepsake. Some great ideas and creations! This activity reflected the tradition of pilgrims receiving symbols when reaching their destination.
“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.”
Children were also invited to write the name of a school they wished to pray for or think about on a label, which was then placed into a plant display. This encouraged thoughtful reflection and a sense of connection with others.
Overall, it was a privilege to contribute in this year’s show which is such a significant event. The DBE team thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Church Tent and to share some of our work with the children and adults who attended and visited our stand during the two days.