OK that phrase from the film Dirty Dancing ages me but it had a big impact on me in my teenage years. Before that there was Saturday Swap Shop and before that adorable Bagpuss and Mr Ben. What are your memories I wonder? My children are amazed that I could ever have been satisfied with black and white TV - and I can remember thinking exactly the same of my parents about Radio – words and NO pictures - lame or what?

I do think, however, as children we have a shared activity whatever our generation that unites us... imaginative play. We learn by copying, by experiencing things around us and controlling toys and activities in imaginative play. To do this we have to feel safe. I remember making Dens in the living room at home with my mum’s old clothes horse and blankets and I have watched many sons and daughters do similar things (not all my children I hasten to add – I love children but I also love to hand them back!) – as children we find or create safe places to learn through play.

So how does this tie in with the Dirty Dancing quote? Well, the Children’s Corner at St Mary’s Church has been going through a face lift over the last few months...the area has been enlarged, re-decorated, re-carpeted, re-stocked with toys AND out of these changes will emerge a Den – a safe place for children to take time out from formal Church to play and to learn. As a Christian community we are no longer putting our children in the corner out of sight and sound (I’ll come back to noise, bear with me!).

If your child would rather stay in the seats with their family then we have toy bags you can pick up as you enter the Church and take with you where ever you sit during your visit. Either way children are catered for. Gone is the Victorian attitude of children are seen but not heard and in comes the twenty first century approach that everyone counts old and young alike.

Here comes the small print, children, we look forward to spending time with you but you will need to bring an adult with you. The Church is an old building so take care if roaming and remember the old ones don’t hear so well - so noise in moderation please... last one to the Den is a sausage!!

 

Jo Hargrave