Whithaugh Park 2025 Review
It was not without trepidation that we rolled up the track to the family CPW this summer, arriving as we were at a week entitled Where is God in the Climate Crisis? in our SUV…But, as ever, we need not have worried.
Mari had planned us a full, and hopeful programme. She made clear at the outset that all the pessimism was to be crammed into our first evening session on the Saturday night, and thereafter we were taken on a journey packed with hopeful and inspiring speakers. Starting with Regina who introduced us to her “PLOT” method for creating change, reminding us that even if we start small, with a single flower bed, we can grow to a thriving small-holding. Likewise, the “EcoChaplain” Rev. David Coleman, who with the help of his animal puppets, gave us ideas for making our parishes into eco-congregations.
We had a pilgrimage, complete with a picnic by the river, into the hills to learn about the peat bog restoration taking place, and a further hike up to the top for 360 views for those who could manage it. Mari’s planning had extended not only to the day-time, because on Wednesday night, following a community BBQ (another delicious meal prepared by Esther and Brid) we were treated to a visit from the Kielder Observatory who brought telescopes for us observe some impressive galactic clusters.
Our very own Bill Phillips invited us to consider what having dominion over God’s wonderful creation means, and whether we are called to subdue it? Have stewardship over it? Care for it? Fr Tim, via some Taylor-Swift-inspired poetry, called us to pause and observe when we have silent conversations with God’s creation.
In addition to all this we had tree hugging, swimming in rivers, haiku composition, Masses with an impressive band, a bogman on the night hike and an original composition puppet show from Mari in the final concert (how she still had energy for this is anyone’s guess)!
The children had a wonderful week, with most of their sessions taking outside, well supervised by the enthusiastic and (and very musical) band of Helpers. The theme rubbed off on them too, with plans being made, and posters designed before we had even got back home.
Whithaugh Park was a wonderful, week-long reminder of the glory of God’s creation, but instead of despairing about the damage we are doing to it, it was an inspiration as to the steps we can all take, if we let God work through us, to help protect it.
Gabrielle Wenham