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HOME PAGE > NEWS > WE'VE GOT FRIENDS

WE'VE GOT FRIENDS

Posted on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 04:25PM by G Hepburn

About 30 friends descended on Shepherds Dene over the weekend of 16th - 18th July to clear the area around the new wood carving and to restore the rockery. Both tasks were accomplished, the quiet garden tidied and the benches re varnished as well. Saturday night - with a barbeque on the lawn and a band - was dubbed Shepfest - and the weekend concluded with an open air Communion service led by Canon Christopher Lewis in what will now be known as 'The Friends Garden. A party from Sunderland Minster joined the Friends for the Sunday afternoon service.

Kim Sinclair, Shepherds Dene's gardener estimated that it would have taken her 8 weeks to accomplish so much and George Hepburn said that " it was really difficult to stop everyone from working. There was such enthusiasm and good will from everyone. Apart from the hard labour, we valued the moral support of so many people as well. There are not many causes you would give up a whole weekend for and the staff felt a huge boost of support in our efforts to restore the grounds and are immensely grateful to everyone who took part."

The weekend marked the formal relaunch of the Friends of Shepherds Dene and new members are always welcome. Friends provide support in many different ways through prayer, through promoting Shepherds Dene in their parishes and through fund raising. Hard physical work is not a requirment but help in the garden from Friends with the strength and skills to do so is always welcome.

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