The Horsforth Community Pantry opened its doors to members on Tuesday 02 July in a purpose-built shop and food store adjacent St James’ Woodside (Horsforth). Just one year after conversations between Nigel Sinclair and Jonathan Cain (the two vicars in the town), Claire Evans (the ABCD Community Builder for Horsforth) and local councillors, the Pantry opened to the delight of all involved. One Pantry member commented, “its just like shopping in M&S!” The opening of the Horsforth Community Pantry is one legacy of the coronavirus pandemic, when the Horsforth Community Assets Project (HCAP) under the auspices of the Abbeylands Team – St Margaret’s, Horsforth – started a food project for vulnerable families. The food project has been through various incarnations, including a partnership with the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), but it has been a long-held ambition to find a permanent site for a pantry in Horsforth. The Horsforth Community Pantry is a project that seeks to address financial inequality, which is an issue in stark relief in Horsforth. The Pantry will work with partner organisations (Children’s Services, the Children’s Centre, MHA Communities), who will refer individuals and families to the Community Pantry for support. The principal (in)equality issues that have been considered in the planning of the project are: § The affordability of weekly shopping for low-income families. The Pantry seeks to address this by providing groceries valued at c.£25 for the weekly membership fee of £6. § Poor access to transport for low-income families. The Pantry seeks to address this by providing a new location in the heart of the area of most deprivation in Horsforth (walking distance). § The desire for better-off families to help those struggling with the cost of living. The Pantry seeks to address this by a) providing volunteering/ befriending opportunities and b) providing a location to donate food that will go directly to low-income families in Horsforth. On the opening day, Claire Evans said, “I can’t believe what we have achieved in just one year.” During that year, plans were drawn up, planning permission obtained, funds raised and a building erected. The building was put together using largely volunteer labour from across churches in Horsforth and Leeds, and the facilities of another St James’/ Horsforth Churches Together Project, the Horsforth Shed. Funds were donated by a series of organisations and individuals – it was a project that has really drawn people together. One of the donors, Foodsavers Network, continues to support the Pantry in operation, including the provision of credit union accounts for Pantry members. “I am delighted that we can host the Horsforth Community Pantry at St James’ Woodside. It’s a great way to demonstrate the abundant generosity and love of God in our community.” Jonathan Cain, Vicar of St James’ Woodside.
From the introduction:It is my great privilege to serve as the Vicar of St James’ Woodside and to welcome you to read the Trustees Annual Report. 2023 was a year of celebration as we hosted a number of events to mark the Septaquintaquinquecentennial Anniversary of the church. It was wonderful to celebrate 175 years of faithful witness to Jesus Christ and service to the local community at St James’, and to welcome so many friends old and new. A fuller report of the celebrations has been prepared by the church wardens and is included later in this report. Our purpose is to live well together under God, and to Share God’s Blessing with the people of Woodside. In 2019 the Parochial Church Council (PCC) at St James’ adopted a 5-year strategy called, Sharing God's Blessing, which is constructed around five goals and aspirations. Later in this report there is a statement of progress towards the aspirations in that strategy and the challenges we face as we come to the end of the 5-year period. I remain grateful to the number and variety of people who contribute to the life of St James’. A fuller list is included later in this report, but I would like to offer particular thanks to PCC members for their commitment and work over the year, churchwardens, Glenda Ingham and Lynne Gillions, vice-chair, Tracey Greig, secretary, Alison Pickford, treasurer Cal Bailey and accountant Malcolm Barraclough. Particular thanks also go to our readers, Pete Gillions and Cal Bailey, to retired clergyman, Brian Lipscombe, to Jo Bailey, our Parish Safeguarding Officer and to Hannah Mason who leads our work with children. I am also thankful for all those who pray, read, sing, bake, visit, mow, clean, and myriad other jobs at St James’ – many unseen. These are all expressions of faith in God and a desire to Share God’s Blessing with those around us. Thank you for taking the time to read this report. I pray that you find it a faithful reflection of life at St James’ and that you will forgive any omissions, which I assure you, have been unintentional. May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance Jonathan
