On Monday 21st July the club was host to Revd. Phil Carroll from the Parish of Hurst in Ashton-under-Lyne, an area which is home to many refugees from various parts of Africa and Asia. In 2005 the Parish started trying to look after people coming from overseas and to try and help them integrate into our society. Now in its 9th year the Parish organises parties in the winter and day trips in the summer for the refugees who have come to live in the area.
Phil is very committed to helping these people who through no fault of their own have had to leave their homes, sometimes with very few personal possessions. Many are victims of war, violence and various other life threatening events. He and his team are very keen to make these newcomers feel welcome. There are many nationalities and many language difficulties to overcome but the fun and the friendship had in these joint events can often outweigh the day to day problems. He readily appreciates that many of these refugees have complex problems but is committed to try and offer some light relief and happiness wherever he can.