YOUNG Christians will share God’s love with their neighbours as part of a 10-day festival of faith in Fareham.

Youngsters such as Nathan Collins (left), 15, and Dan Coghlan, 18, will do practical tasks to show they care as part of the Fareham FAITH Festival

Premiership footballer Linvoy Primus and the London Community Gospel Choir will be among those involved in the Fareham FAITH Festival, which takes place between May 27 and June 5. Worshippers have put together ambitious plans that include children’s clubs, gigs, workshops and music concerts.
And up to 100 teenagers will show their commitment to their neighbourhoods by taking on practical tasks to serve the community, such as decorating, gardening and tidying up rubbish in public places. Among the tasks will be the painting of the Gillies – the pedestrian walkway under a main road near the town centre.
Nine churches of all denominations in Fareham are working together on the festival, building on years of good relationships between the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist. URC and community churches in the town. The ‘FAITH’ acronym stands for ‘Fareham Asks If There’s Hope’.
The festival will be launched with a concert by the London Community Gospel Choir in Ferneham Hall on May 27. Other concerts include Jazz and Vespers on May 28, and a jazz night with a Christian magician, John Archer, on May 31.
St John’s Church and the United Reformed Church will jointly host Kidz Clubs from 10am until 12noon for three days. Seven to 11-year-olds will enjoy games, quizzes, Bible stories, craft, drama and music.
Other family events include an ‘It’s A Knockout’ competition and picnic on May 29 in the grounds of Fareham Leisure Centre, a music day for children on May 31, and an open day at St John’s Church on June 4, which includes a bouncy castle, treasure hunt, story tent and assault course.
The youth programme includes the chance to learn football tricks with Pompey FC defender Linvoy Primus in the town centre on June 3. And a gig in the town centre on June 4 will feature bands such as Chasing Star and Replenish.
Among the youngsters who will get involved in practical community service is Dan Coghlan, 18, from St John’s C of E Church in St Michael’s Grove.
He said: “We painted one side of the Gillies – the footpath under the main road – in 2003 in an ecumenical project called The Noise. This time we’re hoping to do the other side of it, as well as lots of other jobs.”
And Martin Doyle, 13, from Fareham Community Church in West Street, said: “We’re looking forward to helping people in the community and telling them we’re doing it because we’re Christians.”
The festival will have a high profile in Fareham Shopping Centre throughout the week, with resource stands, quiz trails and information about Christian charities. The band Metamorphic will also play each lunchtime, and Church Army evangelist Keith Dyde will entertain shoppers with balloon modelling, gospel magic, clowning and storyboarding.
A float advertising the festival will also be travelling around Fareham during the week. The trailer has been decorated by children from St Jude’s RC Primary School and will be pulled by a tractor.
There will also be open days at St Columba’s and Sacred Heart Churches, events for pensioners, and involvement in the Crofton Village Arts and Craft Festival all week at Holy Rood Church, Stubbington. There is a final celebration at Ferneham Hall on June 5.
But even then, it won’t be finished – the final concert comes on June 19 with the presentation of the musical ‘His Story’ at Ferneham Hall. It describes a dialogue between the disciple John and Mary, Jesus’ mother, after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Steering group co-ordinator June Haye said: “Our aim is to extend our care, love and support to the town and borough of Fareham, and give people an expression of the Christian faith today.”
For more details, see the ecumenical website of the churches in Fareham - www.farehamchurches.org.uk
















FAREHAM FAITH FESTIVAL: FULL LIST OF EVENTS

Friday 27 May
FAREHAM, Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road (7.30pm): Concert by London Community Gospel Choir. Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions) on 01329-829121 or 01329-318731.


Saturday 28 May
FAREHAM, Sacred Heart RC Church, Portland Street (9am-6pm): Open for refreshments and tours. Daily to June 5.
FAREHAM, St Columba’s Church, Hillson Drive (12noon): Fareham FAITH Festival opening service and prayers. Includes an exhibition of artwork from local schools and the chance to see plans for the future of the church building.
FAREHAM, Fareham Shopping Centre (9am-12noon): Quiz and trail; (12noon-1.30pm): Gig by Metamorphic. Also daily from May 30-June 3.
STUBBINGTON, Holy Rood Church, Gosport Road (7.30pm): Jazz and Vespers. With the Tim Eyles Jazz Band. Tickets: £5, including nibbles and punch. Contact: 01329-662132 or 01329-
661154.






Sunday 29 May
FAREHAM, grounds of Fareham Leisure Centre(12.30pm): Picnic and ‘It’s A Knockout’. Family games.
FAREHAM Fareham Community Church, West Street (7.30pm): LIFE meeting.



Tuesday 31 May
FAREHAM, St John’s Church, Upper St Michael’s Grove and United Reformed Church, Osborn Road South (10am-12noon): Kidz Clubs. Games, stories, craft, drama and music for seven to 11-year-olds. Also on June 1 & 2.
FAREHAM, Methodist Church, Queens Road (10am-4.30pm): Holiday activities for seniors. Entertainment, craft, quizzes, competitions and lunch.
STUBBINGTON, Holy Rood Church, Gosport Road (10am-4pm): Crofton Village Arts and Craft Festival. Exhibition of local talent. Daily until June 5.
FAREHAM, Holy Trinity Church, West Street (1.30pm-5pm): Music day. Led by diocesan music adviser Rosemary Field. Contact: 01329-232688.
FAREHAM, Fareham Community Church, West Street (2pm-4pm): Dance expression. An afternoon of expressive dance for all ages. Contact: 01329-829121.
FAREHAM, Hill Park Working Mens’ Club, Highlands Road (7.30pm): Jazz night. DB4 jazz quartet and magician John Archer will perform. Tickets: £9.50, including buffet meal, on 01329-829121.







Wednesday 1 June
FAREHAM, Fareham Shopping Centre (11am): Children’s colouring competition. The Mayor of Fareham will present prizes.
FAREHAM, various venues (11am-4pm): Start of ‘Soul out of the Town’. Youngsters tackle community projects. Also on June 2, 3 & 4.
FAREHAM, Holy Trinity Church, West Street (2pm-4.30pm): Singalong for seniors. Includes refreshments. Contact: 01329-232688.




Thursday 2 June
FAREHAM, Holy Trinity Church, West Street (11.30am-2pm): Flower arranging workshop.
FAREHAM, United Reformed Church, Osborn Road South (7.30pm): Staged drama reading. Outlines gospel message.



Friday 3 June
FAREHAM, Fareham Shopping Centre (11am & 2pm): Football skills workshop with Linvoy Primus.


Saturday 4 June
FAREHAM, Fareham Shopping Centre (11am): Gig in the town. Chasing Stars and Replenish, plus DJ playing.
FAREHAM, St John’s Church, Upper St Michael’s Grove (1.30pm-4.30pm): Open Day. Includes bouncy castle, assault course, birds of prey, children’s treasure hunt, story tent, local arts and more.



Sunday 5 June
FAREHAM, St Columba’s Church, Hillson Drive (10am): Community praise. Joint festival worship with St Columba and Holy Trinity. With the Ven Peter Hancock, Archdeacon of the Meon.
STUBBINGTON, Stubbington Green (11am): Open-air service. With drama from Top Cat Theatre Company and music.
FAREHAM, Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road (7.30pm): Worship Together. Final ecumenical celebration.




Sunday 19 June
FAREHAM, Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road (7.30pm): His Story. Musical including songs by Ken Shearsmith, of Holy Rood, Stubbington. Featuring Lucy Stimpson-Maynard, the Mustard Seed Soul Band and Mustard Seed Girls’ Choir. Tickets available on 01329-231942.