St Mary's
Waterloo Holiday Club August 2013
The Holiday Club runs during the first week of the schools summer holidays and caters for 50 children between the ages of 5 - 11 from all the local communities.  This is not St. Mary's Widnes [see previous report] but St. Mary's Waterloo.  The catchment includes deprived areas of Seaforth, Bootle and Netherton and a number of disadvantaged children who take part do not otherwise have a holiday.
The 14 adult leaders and 6 young leaders all give up a week of their holidays and volunteer their services free of charge.  This keeps costs to a minimum.
Until Government cutbacks and local funding dried up a grant  towards running costs was received from the Council. This year costs have escalated beyond the children's fees and a minor grant from W.L. Mark Charity Fund was much appreciated.
The biggest visitor to the 'creepy crawly ' workshop!	Jack with a giant African Snail
As well as a host of craft & music activities and a sports day on the local field, the children were entertained by a Creepy Crawly mini-beast workshop. A visit to the local fire station took place and a trip to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
On the way to the Fire Station.
A Fireman demonstrates his kit
Only that morning this watch had been called to an engine room fire in a ship at Langton dock . Not only did they have to wear protective gear and breathing apparatus , but bulky life jackets as well!
Each year the Holiday Club has a different theme - this year it was Beatrix Potter - and the children were divided by age into groups named after her characters.
At Tatton Park.	St Mary's pulpit decorated,
	as was the rest of the Church for the Holiday Club
concert by the children with a short thank you service.
The week culminated with a full day out to Tatton Park where there were special Beatrix Potter events in the gardens, farm and the main house.  Whilst not specific the Mark grant effectively paid for the buses, without which the trip could not have taken place.
On a personal note being PGM carries no weight whatever with children [or the other leaders!] - and among his duties Peter is entrusted with the "sick bucket" on outings  He can also be seen resplendent in high viz jacket, waving his arms about, getting the children safely across the road!!
A wonderful week was had by all.
Lynne Connolly, (Photographs Courtesy of the Gentleman with 'sick bucket'

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