Help shape the future at church's Community and Family Fun Day

The church secured a £750 voluntary and community organisations grant from Rugby Borough Council to stage the fun day, which includes music, inflatables, a family bike ride, the council's Play Rangers team and a fire engine from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The council funding comes hot on the heels of a number of grants recently awarded to St Peter and St John's, including a £10,000 National Churches Trust community grant to extend the church's community room and a £10,000 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Part of the Awards for All grant has funded a community survey, where the church has urged residents to come forward with ideas for new facilities and services.

And during Saturday's fun day residents can hear presentations on the survey's initial findings and contribute to the church's future plans.

The Reverend Sheila Bridge, minister in charge at St Peter and St John's, said: "The survey has provided us with a chance to reach out to residents to find out what the community wants in terms of support, services and activities.

"We want as many residents as possible to take part in the survey and have a say, and Saturday's the perfect opportunity to pay us a visit, get involved and have fun."

The Community and Family Fun Day runs from 10am to 2pm at the church, on the corner of Clifton Road and St Peter's Road.

The presentations on the initial findings of the community survey take place at 11am and 1pm.

Cllr Emma Crane, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, said: "St Peter and St John's Church has a number of exciting plans in the pipeline and I'm delighted the council has supported the Community and Family Fun Day to promote the positive role the church plays in the wider community.

"The council has awarded nearly £60,000 in grants to community and voluntary organisations this year, and supported the community and voluntary sector with total funding of more than £190,000.

"We recognise the important role the sector plays in the borough's communities and the real difference it makes to the lives of our residents."

Photo caption: Building for the future – The Reverend Sheila Bridge looks forward to work starting on the church hall extension with (left) Geoffrey Martindale, one of the oldest members of the congregation at St Peter and St John’s Church, and (right) brothers Oscar, one, and Felix, four.