The Friends of St Gabriel’s, Heaton, was founded in October 2021, so we shall be approaching our 5th birthday. Membership is open to anyone and everyone who would like to be involved in supporting the life of our beautiful, historic church, a pivotal part of the Heaton community since 1899. Friends are invited to share in events and activities taking place at St Gabriel’s, whether or not they come to church services. Our aim is for the Friends of St Gabriel’s, currently 75 members of whom about half are regularly part of the congregation and half have an affinity with the Church in a different way, to develop its role in the community, and to care for our grade two listed buildings for current and future generations.

Over the last five years, the Friends of St Gabriel’s have fully funded quite a number of items. These include new noticeboards for the St Gabriel’s/Heaton Road corner, a large number of hymn books, maintenance and repair of our solitary bell which is rung before every service, furniture and equipment for the Children’s Corner in church, a heavy duty strimmer and accessories to help with garden maintenance, bulbs, plants and a tree for our garden, and a Friends’ Bell for our proposed ring of 12 bells. We have provided and served refreshments at Come and Sing events as well as running at least three coffee mornings every year.

Our most recent coffee morning took place on Saturday 11th July and was well supported by both church and local communities. Many thanks to all those who baked and made, donated and sold, helped, supported and served. The Jewellery and Books stalls were popular, Angela’s handcrafted cards were admired and bought, pens were sold and as ever, the Cakes Stall, Refreshments and Raffle were very busy. By the time Parish Breakfast contributions on Sunday morning were added to Saturday’s takings, this event raised £720, thanks to the generosity of many people. I think this is a remarkable amount in, mostly, one pound coins. 

A huge thank you to all who supported, baked and helped.