The Bridlington
Branch of the church recently welcomed the public to its meetinghouse for an
Open House which spanned three days.
There were over 150 people that came to the church. Some of those attending came back twice –
including one of the local town councillors.
Another lady came back every day and asked when it would be open again! As well as being welcomed to the building and
the church, visitors were able to learn more about family history and even
carry out some research into their own genealogy with the volunteers on hand.
There
were a number of members from the East Yorkshire Family History Society who
attended. The chairwoman came twice, she
received some help from church member Paul Buglass and was able to solve a
family history mystery she had been trying to solve for a number of years. She was very impressed and couldn’t thank us
enough. She has asked if the society can
hold their monthly meeting at the chapel when their current contract runs out
with a local hotel.
Many
success stories that can only do good for the church in Bridlington, a town that
has seen a lot of opposition in recent years.
This Open
House was also a wonderful occasion where all but one of the previous eight
Bridlington Branch Presidents still living – were able to meet. The one missing was Michael Gregory who
should slot between Ken Kearsley and Duncan Maclean. The period of service for
those in the photo spans about 40 years beginning with President Skelton
in the 1970's.
(From
left to right: Brian Skelton (presently Bishop at Hull); Eric Briggs; Ken
Kearsley; Duncan Maclean; Ross Pooley; Robert Stevens; Steven Gregory)
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