Tavistock Street PastorsBack in February 2009, Graham Boot-Handford and Roger Bird attended a seminar held at Devon & Cornwall Police Headquarters to hear about the work of Street Pastors. Ascension Trust, who are the body behind Street Pastors, has developed this work nationwide.
The aim is for Christians to be a presence on the streets, particularly at weekends, to help and talk to people in need. Following a presentation talk given by the Plymouth Co-ordinator, Rev. Stuart Clarke in Abbey Chapel in June, training commenced in September 2009, and the first Street Pastor duty commenced on the streets of Tavistock on 21st November. A Commissioning Service was held at St Eustachius Parish Church on December 6th, with 15 Street Pastors and 30 Prayer Pastors being commissioned. Since then, the work has had a tremendous effect on the people of Tavistock, and has the backing of Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Borough Council, as well as the local Police.
Picture, left, was taken at the Commissioning service held on
Among those present were the Deputy Town Mayor , Ass. Chief Constable Paul Netherton, West Devon Borough Council Mayor, Alison Clish-Green, as well as other representatives from the local Police force, and local churches.
Picture, right, a patrol on duty on Dickensian evening in Tavistock in November
Click here for Street Pastors Web Page |
