Crag Road Circuit Project

“Friends of Crag” Circuit Project

Over a century ago a number of dedicated and courageous Methodist people saw the possibility of building a chapel on the Crag at Windhill and set out to make it happen. Their vision found fulfilment and for many decades they worshipped and served God by serving their neighbours.  In recent years, however, their successors grew weary, and at easter 2023, the congregation met for the final time and agreed to, in Methodist parlance, ‘cease to meet’.

The Bradford North Circuit however, to which Crag belonged, although affirming the congregation’s decision, wondered if God might still have purpose and plans for Crag. In particular, the Friday Drop-in, operating for the last twenty years, illustrated something of the need for, and potential fruit of, Methodist mission and ministry on the Crag. National church initiatives around Church at the Margins and New Places for New People (NPNP) also offered encouragement and challenge as we considered, indeed consider, our response to Crag. So we are in a transitional phase, exploring the potential for ongoing mission in the area, recognising that a significant number of the residents of Crag Road area face challenges of economic and social deprivation, and that the Drop-In continues to be appreciated by its regular attenders.

A Management and Development Group has been established to oversee the project. As well as the continuing Drop-In, new initiatives have included a weekly Men’s Group, a monthly Food Share (facilitated by staff from the Windhill Community Centre) and monthly Litter Pick. Plans are in hand to start an Arts and Crafts group and a Community Garden group to make use of land at the back of the building. These activities come under the heading of ‘Friends of Crag’, advertised by a banner on the front of the building, and a ‘feather’ flag which is put out to show an activity or event is taking place.

Over the summer of 2023, two community consultation events were held as ways of listening to the views and ideas of residents. Conversations are also taking place with other community organisations about working together in the Crag area. Additionally, plans are being put in place to conduct a feasibility study of the building to help assess the potential of the building as an ongoing centre of community activity.

We have been blessed in this work by the ministry of Deacon Merry Evans, who has been key to establishing the Circuit project at Crag. Merry has now ridden off into retirement, and in his place, we welcomed (in February 2024) Deacon Joy Sykes, who will continue and build upon the work which Merry has begun. Joy is a half-time member of staff whose main area of responsibility will be to develop the project and so continue a Christian presence in the area.

Up on the Crag – Update

Men’s Group – The men’s group meets once a week and has up to 10 men attending.  The gentleman have done some of the remedial work in the building.  They have also purchased a snooker table and a table tennis table.  

Gardening club – The garden is now in full growth, with lots of good things growing, potatoes, beans, peas, rhubarb and strawberries.   Access has been made round the side of the building and safety measures have been put into place.  We have our regular volunteers and those that just drop in once in a while.

Wellbeing Coffee Morning – Open on a Wednesday for the local community to drop in, it’s been slow to take off but we have a few people who drop in regularly.

Drop In – The original Friday morning drop in continues to welcome up to 15 people a week, offering them a meal, a listening ear and friendship. 

Food share

Is kindly provided by Windhill Community Centre. This happens once a month at the moment and provides a hot meal for those who need it. At the moment we are providing between 6-10 meals at a sitting.

Big Green Week Event

As part of the national Big Green initiative we held an open day on a rainy Saturday morning and had up to 20 people through the building both children and adults.   We were able to show of the garden despite the rain, some crafts were done and we sat and gave a listening ear whilst drinking coffee and eating cake.

Prayer walks As part of our concern for the Crag we consider the spiritual needs of it’s residents.   A prayer walk happens once a month on a Saturday and we normally have 3 or 4 who come.  We look at the local area and ask for God’s guidance and healing on it’s residents.  I’ve discovered that the Crag has many little paths, nooks and crannies, hidden history and I believe that resounds with the folks that live there.  Lives are hidden, things are covered up, and much lays undiscovered. So we pray that lives maybe opened up and the love of God felt in the homes and businesses on the Crag.