Life on the Beach - Report for 2008

As another summer of Life on the Beach events draw to a close, we can look back on a very varied and successful series of events.

Big Cream Tea - 24 May 2008

The first Life on the Beach of the year on Saturday May 24, started with the Big Cream Tea, as part of the Devon Hope 2008 initiative. Over 700 free cream teas were served to very surprised and grateful members of the public on the Cathedral green. A team made up of members from the Cathedral, Sidwell St Methodists and Southernhay United Reformed Church congregations served up a constant stream of homemade scones with fair-trade jam and local clotted cream alongside cups of tea. Many positive conversations were had as to why this was being done, and more importantly why it was free. The worship group from the River Dream Church in Exeter provided easy listening jazz music to complete the garden party atmosphere. The Dean of Exeter, the Very Rev Jonathan Meyrick, and the Canon Missioner from the Cathedral, Canon Mark Rylands donned tailcoats to add just the right touch to proceeding as they too assisted in the serving of cream teas. Children bounced away on the free bouncy castle, made badges or played with giant games whilst the adults enjoyed their cream teas. After people had eaten they could walk around the area on the Cathedral green set up by the ‘Create a Space' team from Exeter.

14 June 2008

The tradition of giving away free food at Life on the Beach events continued at the next event on Saturday 14 June when Riverside Christian Centre gave away hundreds of ice lollies and ice creams as part of their event to commentate the Queen's Birthday. As people ate their lollies and ice creams they could listen to a variety of music, watch a juggling display or listen to a changeling message delivered by the pastor of Riverside, Aran Richardson, or the youth pastor, Dave Poulson. Children again could have a free bounce on the bouncy castle, get their faces painted, make a badge or visit the tuck shop.

5 July 2008

The Glorious Chorus Ladies Choir launched the 5 July event in a very colourful and musical way with the choir's matching brightly coloured shirts and harmonious voices. Unfortunately, after their performance the weather went against us.  Exeter Network Church had to cancel their event due to the crowds disappearing to find shelter from the rain. Ever ones to seize an opportunity though, the members of Exeter Network Church bought umbrellas to give away, and went around the cafes and coffeshops of the city to get the message of Jesus to people where they were.

Creation Fest - 26 July 2008

July 26 saw the now annual visit to the Cathedral Green of the Creation Fest team from Woolacombe. The team again provided a skate park on the cobbles in front of the Cathedral to make use of the amnesty on skateboarding allowed by the Cathedral for this one day only. Many young people brought their skateboards along to take part in the competition, and this unique change to skateboard in front of the magnificence of the Cathedral. Many bands, who had flown in especially from the USA, performed on the lorry acting as a stage. The challenging lyrics continued in their songs gave the members of the public milling on the Cathedral green the good news of the gospel in no uncertain terms. It was awesome to hear the young people's views of the majesty of the Cathedral as they saw it in such a new light, and they probably would never go near it in a normal day but this unique opportunity had drawn them to the area. Traidcraft did a brisk trade in sales of their fairly traded and ethical products. The Cathedral refreshment team who are always on hand at the events handed out plenty of squash and fairtrade biscuits.

Christian Bikers - 13 September 2008

The last Life on the Beach of the year was hosted by the Christian Bikers on Saturday 13 September. The magnificent motorcycles made an incredible site in the sunlight reflecting off the Cathedral cobbles. Mark, a Christian DJ, played an assortment of music for all tastes, and a local singer songwriter from Teignmouth Baptist church really hit the mark with the crowds with his heartfelt lyrics and accompanying guitar playing. There were continuous queues at the face painting and badge making tables, as the children took advantage of all the free activities on offer. The bouncy castle again bounced non stop for the whole event. The great teams from Traidcraft and Bridge Books, in Okehampton Street, were kept busy highlighting their work to people, who perhaps would not normally come across these particular areas of Christian ministry.

The sun blazing down for the whole time really seemed to be God putting his approval on the event and showing he was blessing all the people involved and all those the teams came in contact with on the Cathedral green.

Zetta King

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