Sunday school closes as numbers dwindle

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Thursday 5th Jan 2006.

A DRAMATIC decline in the number of children attending Colerne's historic Sunday school has forced it to close with immediate effect.

The once popular church group was abandoned after it was discovered half the children would not be returning in the New Year.

This week organiser Annette Hitch made a heartfelt plea to parents as a last-ditch attempt to keep it going.

Mrs Hitch, who has helped run the Sunday Club for 12 years, said: "It's a real shame it's come to this and we are quite sad about it.

"It would be great to have some more children but unfortunately parents have so many things to juggle these days it's difficult for them to make a regular Sunday morning commitment.

"Obviously we are trying to build it up again so the closure may only be temporary. I hope that is the case."

The club run for children whose parents attended the service at St John the Baptist church on Sunday mornings had nine children aged between five and 13 before the Christmas break.

But Mrs Hitch said at least three, maybe five, of those children would not be going back.

"It's a huge shame but we can't provide for just three or four children," she said.

"It's becoming a problem for many families as there are different clubs competing with each other. It's sad because Sunday Club is a tradition that goes back a very long time in Colerne."

Mrs Hitch said the range of fun activities lasted for around an hour and included music, crafts, cooking and a Bible lesson.

On top of the dwindling numbers, the Sunday Club faces other potential threats.

Colerne and North Wraxall parish became part of the Bybrook Benefice at the turn of the year, which means it will now be part of a team ministry.

As part of the change, fewer services will be held in Colerne.

Mrs Hitch said: "There won't always be a Sunday service in Colerne now. For example on January 1 the service was in Biddestone.

"We've had quite a few changes. The parish council has bought the church hall and it's now called the Old School Hall.

"It may be used as a parish council office in the future so we've had to clear out.

"We could still continue to use it for Sunday Club we haven't been thrown out but we decided not to because the numbers have been going down. It's a pity this has had to happen."

The school is continuing to store its equipment in the hall but now needs lockable cupboards to make sure everything is safe.

Mrs Hitch reassured parents that the situation would be reviewed once Colerne had settled into the Bybrook team.

She added that other activities such as clubs on Mothering Sunday and Good Friday would continue as normal and thanked leaders, helpers and parents for their hard work and loyal support.

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