Churches unite for historic service in Acomb

THE Archbishop of York followed in the footsteps of 18th-century preachers when he led a special open-air service for a 500-strong congregation.

Preachers from ten local churches gathered for prayer, worship and fellowship in the sunshine yesterday at York’s Acomb Green as Dr John Sentamu held the service – a quarter of a millennium since the last of its kind was held.

In the mid-1700s, Methodist preachers came from far and wide to hold sermons on the green.

The organiser of yesterday’s event, Steve Redman, of The Ark church, said as the 250th anniversary approached since the last was held, St Stephen’s, St Aidan’s, Holy Redeemer, Our Lady’s, Gateway, Acomb Methodist, Lidgett Grove Methodist, Acomb Baptist, The Quakers and The Ark churches got together for the community event.

The worship was led by Christian musician Godfrey Birtill, who has performed all over the world.

Mr Redman said the day was met by fantastic local support and public response.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed,” he said. “Over 500 people turned up and the weather was fabulous after such a lousy few days – our prayers for sunshine paid off.

“Godfrey Birtill was brilliant and this is the first time in history these ten churches have stopped their meetings and all come together – and to such a fantastic result.

“The crowd loved Archbishop Sentamu – he really is popular and lots of people say they like to see him in person.

“He got everyone involved and sprits were really high.”

He said this was a “prototype” event – but as it was such a success it could be held annually.

“About 250 years ago, the great Methodist preachers would come to Acomb and preach on the Green,” he said.

“It would appear that this included John Wesley himself.

“The Green has moved since then, but we got the idea a quarter of a millennium later to get people together to sing rousing songs and hear a great speaker.

“It was meant to be a one-off event but afterwards I was inundated with people coming up to me saying ‘Right Steve – let’s plan next year’.

“So it definitely looks like this could be an annual event.”

Naked Bike Ride to take place in York on June 12

THE fourth Naked Bike Ride through the streets of York will take place next week with the promise of a “carnival atmosphere”.

The city will join Brighton, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton in hosting one of the rides, where people are encouraged to turn up with their bike and little else.

The increasingly-popular annual event is, according to organisers, “a powerful symbol of cyclists’ vulnerability on the road as well as being a cheeky reminder that you don’t need a big carbon footprint to get around”.

Among the demands of the York eco-riders are an end to oil dependency, a ban on car advertising and the glamorisation of driving, and safer cycling for all, particularly on York’s narrow streets.

Hugh Dower, 57, has taken part in the three previous naked bike rides and will be hoping for warm weather when he sets off once again next Friday, wearing “nothing but his sandals”.

“This is to highlight the fact that cyclists are road users too, and we have a greater moral right to use the road than car users because they are causing all sorts of problems for the environment,” he said.

Looking forward to the ride, he said: “The reaction from people who see us is smiles and cheers. It’s a great feeling. Luckily, we have had the weather for it and hopefully that will be the case next week.”

The ride takes place at 6pm on Friday, June 12, departing from Museum Gardens at 6pm.

Those taking part will head from Museum Gardens to Bootham and on to Clifton Green before cycling along the River Ouse, back in to the city centre and on to the Millennium Cycle Bridge.

It will finish back at Museum Gardens.