80th birthday celebrations

THE Good Shepherd Church, Loughborough, has launched a year-long celebration to mark its 80th birthday.

On Saturday, May 7, 1938, the opening and dedication of Shelthorpe Church Hall took place as the-then Bishop of Leicester dedicated the hall with the words: “In the faith of Jesus Christ, we dedicate this church hall as the mission of the Good Shepherd, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”

The Parish of Shelthorpe was established on May 30, 1969, and the name changed to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Loughborough on October 2, 1979, when the church was consecrated.

And this month on May 12/13 the church began its celebrations of 80 years of ministry.

Vicar, Rev Sue Willetts told the Echo: “On Saturday we held our annual gardeners’ coffee morning and we welcomed the ‘Beacon Voices’, Beacon Academy’s choir, as they came to entertain the many visitors and church members.

“On Sunday we welcomed the Archdeacon of Loughborough, the Venerable Claire Wood, to speak at our birthday service.

“A rolling exhibition of our history has been created by some members of the church in our Link Room and this is available for anyone to visit.”

The church will continue to celebrate the anniversary with a series of events over the rest of the year.

Pictured: One of the oldest members of the Good Shepherd Church, Loughborough, Ray Dew supported by his son Graham Dew, Vicar, the Rev Sue Willetts, cut a special 80th anniversary cake.