April 25^th saw beautiful spring weather, around 800 people and the annual St George's day festival take place in Wheatley. From centre games to the community choir, craft activities to sumo suits and prayer tents to hospitality there was something for everyone this year. The festival is one is a series of events designed to help strengthen community in Wheatley village and saw local Christians, businesses and others of good will come together for a great day. "A gift to our community".

In beautiful spring weather, well over 700 people from around the Wheatley area gathered at the St.George's Day Funday in the recreation grounds in the centre of Wheatley on Saturday 25^th April. The extensive range of activities seemed to provide something for just about everyone. Face painting, balloon sculpting and junk modelling for the creative amongst us and Sumo wrestling, water volleyball and, in particular, the tug-o-war as part of the central games programme! Amazingly enough, the bar-b-cue didn't run out of sausages until the very last few minutes! Even the team from St.John's Ambulance had a great time (and thankfully very little to do!)

The first public appearance of the Wheatley Community Choir was a highlight and will hopefully encourage them to entertain us again sometime. This year also saw our first area run by the local mums & toddlers group as part of the festival and was a great success in helping out those younger children (and those with younger children). As at previous year's events, the festival was a great time of fun and celebration and a real opportunity to help build a sense of community in Wheatley.

The festival was a gift from the local Churches to the Wheatley community and so the entire day was free. Organised by Fusion Youth & Community we also had generous support from many local businesses - in particular our main sponsor Bryant's Garage. One participant said: "it's wonderful to see so many different people and businesses coming together for the community". Fusion YAC festivals don't just attempt to entertain the crowd, but to encourage them to knit together - families, neighbours and generations. And that's exactly what happened that Saturday.  There were plenty of smiles to be seen and after the very positive feedback we received following the Funday, we plan to hold the event again next year - so watch this space.

Ideally Fusion YAC likes to run 3 family community events (open crowd festivals) a year to help strengthen community and build social capital. Whilst there is certainly still work to be done, this is what we're seeing the beginnings of in Wheatley with different groups coming together. Although both Fusion YAC and the churches are at the heart of organising the festival it is an event where anybody can find a place to help: from local businesses to young people to parents and the elderly - irrespective of religion or background. All that is asked of helpers is that they agree with our aims and that they understand that as Christians we ‘do this' for what we call the glory of God. The festival should show our community that there is a better way to live and that everyone is welcome.

In the meantime, our next family festival will be at the Cullum Road recreation ground in the autumn. If you'd like to join the team for this event - fun guaranteed & training provided - please do get in touch!