Building Works at the WCNS

The building works have finished after 6 months, work started on February 14th, 2011, and we now have extended  a bedroom, provided a completely new bedroom with two beds, enlarged and improved our residents lounge, and updated our IT area with three computers for evening use of guests with use of the Internet.

Alresford to Paris cycle ride - for the WCNS 

Patrick Trowbridge, aged 61, and his son-in-law Mark Tugwell recently cycled from Alresford to Paris to raise funds for the Winchester Churches Nightshelter. Their wives travelled by car as the back up team.

Patrick and Mark set off at dawn on the 28th May to catch a morning ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre. By the time they reached their first hotel they had covered 55 miles, a personal best for Patrick.

Given the terrain on that part of the itinerary they decided to go on a detour from their pre-planned route to avoid even more hilly terrain,thereby adding quite a few extra miles to the planned route. Being a Sunday getting enough food and water was a problem they hadn’t anticipated. That was made worse because it was around  280C. It was lucky for them that town cemeteries have water taps and they were able to avoid serious dehydration!

They reached the next hotel after 63 miles, another personal best.

Monday was just as hot. However, there were plenty of places to stop and they reached Versailles, their last stop, after 69 miles – yet another personal best – and still in very good shape, considering! It was tempting to just carry on the last 10 miles but they stuck to their plan of going to the Eiffel Tower on the Tuesday.

What a change in the weather! It was very cold and very windy. It took less than an hour to reach the Eiffel Tower. They stopped for a few photographs and a celebration drink but didn’t want to hang about because it was so cold. So it was a bar for lunch and then back to the hotel.

At this point they had cycled a total of 207 miles.They have raised well over twice the original target. Thanks to  the parishioners of St Gregory’s and St John’s in Alresford, the parents of Allbrook School, and many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been so generous. For further information please see http://www.justgiving.com/Alresford2Paris2011

Helter Shelter Competition - Winners!

A Human Table Football Tournament took place on Saturday 28th May at Weeke Primary school to raise money for Winchester Churches Nightshelter.

Approaching 100 people turned up on the day to play or watch the event, both from locally and as far as London and Bristol. The day was split into two sessions, morning and afternoon tournaments with a number of people who played in the morning returning in the afternoon as they had enjoyed it so much!

Helter Shelter, one of the teams made up of Nightshelter residents, took it in their stride and, despite the stiff competition, won the morning tournament. They managed to score the most goals in their section, at the same time winning the exciting penalty shoot out. Rooney – eat your heart out!

Residents expressed how much fun they had and that winning meant a lot to them. Following the morning tournament one of the residents made a heart felt speech about the Nightshelter which really had a great influence on changing many people’s popular misconceptions about homeless people.

Many thanks to all those who took part on the day, the manager of the Nightshelter - Michele Price for her support in organising the event and also Maggie Hastie, Headteacher of Weeke Primary School for donating the use of the school to host the event.

Winchester Churches Nightshelter is a registered charity which not only provided beds for those without homes but offers hope and help to the homeless.

Cake making in support of the Nightshelter

Local Chandlers Ford and District Beavers make cakes for the Nightshelter... and yes, they tasted as great as they looked!

Click to enlarge!