|TOP|The Duke of Kent opened The St Augustine's New Avenham Centre in Preston, Lancashire, Tuesday, welcomed by Jim Carr, Town Clerk, Preston City Council.
The new £5m sports and community centre was developed out of the intention to bridge the gap between different faith groups in the area.
In a joint community partnership led by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, the centre includes a sports hall, adult learning centre and creche.
The royal party toured the building led by Centre Manager Jonathan Thomas, while local schools and residents played netball, table tennis and exercised in the fitness suite demonstrating that the multi-purpose community centre has much to offer the local community.
The visit ended with the unveiling of an official plaque to mark the occasion.
John Cowdall, chairman of the board of trustees responsible for the management and operation of the centre, said: "This royal visit is a fitting tribute to all who have helped in this imaginative project and to the residents of Avenham for whom the Avenham Centre is but one of a series of impressive regeneration initiatives."
Funding for the initiative has come from the Lancaster Diocese, Sport England, the European Regional Development Fund, the AvenCentral Regeneration Partnership and Preston City Council.
-
European hate speech laws are ‘dangerous’, says politician prosecuted for Christian beliefs
-
Ex-BBC reporter tells of 'cabal' of journalists who influenced trans coverage
-
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
-
Belfast City Council votes again to celebrate abortion after failed attempt
-
NI conversion therapy ban 'dead in the water' after consultation
-
Why John Stott’s ‘Christian Counter-Culture’ still challenges the church
Most Popular
related articles
Church Leaders Condemn BNP for Inflaming Interfaith Relations
Church leaders have condemned the British National Party (BNP) for distributing leaflets depicting a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad...
Faith Schools Challenged by Leader of Scottish LibDems
The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has voiced criticism over the continued contribution of faith schools in the Scottish educational sector...
Prince Praises Interfaith Community Initiatives
The Prince of Wales has commended faith communities in the Bedfordshire area for their work to build stronger relations...
News
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain
Architectural historian Steven Brindle talks to Christian Today about the faith that shaped 1930s Britain, the churches that supported struggling communities and what lessons the decade might have for us today.
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.
