Pupils put handywork to use for local church

The Bishop of Jarrow has blessed a chalice and paten made specially for a local church by schoolchildren in Sunderland.

The items were crafted by pupils at Springwell Dene School, which provides education for children with behavioural difficulties and backs onto St Mary and St Peter Church, in Springwell.

Pupils Andrew Bonallie, 13, and Callum Hawxby, 12, worked on the chalice and paten.

Assistant Curate the Rev Fr Peter Garvie said: “They have come up with a beautifully crafted chalice and paten. They have put so much love and energy into it. They know it is something important for the life of the church.”

Bishop Mark Bryant blessed the items at a special ceremony on Thursday.

He said: “This is a very special gift to the Church, I just love the look and feel of the pieces particularly the plate or paten. It has a depth to it that will hold contents very securely just like the way God holds each and every one of us.

"There is something very special about a gift made with such care and loving. Blessing this Chalice and Paten and consecrating it for Holy Communion is a delight and I am happy to see the fruits of these two young peoples efforts put to such good use.”