We are really proud to have worked with Patchway Festival and the Patchway Churches to organise Flying into the Future on Sunday the 22nd July on the runway at Filton airfield. We were lucky enough to be given access to Filton Airfield by YTL who are developing the site to hold a blessing remembering the history of the airfield and celebrating the new people who will become part of our local communities, before it is finally closed for building work to begin.

The blessing was led by Reverend Howard Jameson from St Chads Church, Patchway, who was joined by Jack Lopresti MP, representatives of YTL, Father Eugene Campbell from Holy Family Roman Catholic Church and Rachael Hunt, chair of South Glos Council. Everyone spoke about the impact the airfield had on our area and the desire to make sure that the new community built there will be a great place to live for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Both Patchway Town Council and Filton Town Council were also represented.

After the blessing, we hosted a community tea party, with free cream teas and activities for children. One of the highlights was the wonderful Indian puppet show performed by Same but Different which helped us all to think more about how we can make sure that everyone is welcome in our communities. An event attendee said, “what a fantastic event, it was very moving that it was the last event before building commences, and what a great mix of people you had.”

It was a hugely hot day so thank you to everyone who braved the heat to be there and everyone who made the event possible.