Parish churches across Lancashire will be providing support and fun for all ages and in many different ways over the long summer holidays ahead.

From sports days to craft days and multi-day holiday clubs for children (and even one for the over 50s!); there is so much happening – much for free – across the County.

Today Joy Rushton, Being Witnesses Manager for the Diocese of Blackburn, praised parishes for their efforts saying: “It's wonderful to hear about so many exciting events taking place, many of which will support hard-pressed families as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

“Everyone is welcome to our churches – you don’t have to go there regularly – and it's great that so many of these summer events are focused on children and young people. That’s because putting children and young people at the heart of what we do as a Diocese is one of the three key priorities for the new Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North.

“So, as all ages and backgrounds gather together this summer in our parishes, I hope they will make new friends but I also hope they will also have time to think about growing a friendship with Jesus;  being encouraged to return to their local parish church later to explore more about what that means.”

What follows, moving roughly east to west across Lancashire, is just a selection of what will be taking place across the Diocese. For more about what’s happening in your local area, visit www.achurchnearyou.com to find your nearest church.

Throughout the summer holidays St Batholomew’s Church, Church Street, Colne, BB8 0LG is holding its Explorers’ Club every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm until August 29.

The sessions feature games, song, arts and crafts, and food. The age group being catered for is 4-10 years and booking is essential, by emailing louisesmith5684@gmail.com 

Further down the M65 now to St Peter’s and St Stephen’s in Burnley where the churches are inviting families to bring their own picnic to Whalley Abbey on Thursday July 27 from 3pm for an afternoon of family, fun and food.

There will be an opportunity to explore the Whalley Abbey estate before Communion at 4pm. The church will be providing hot drinks.

More information from the church team on 07460 899451 and Whalley Abbey is at The Sands, Whalley, Clitheroe BB7 9SS.

Meanwhile, St Luke the Evangelist in Brierfield is inviting families to ‘Thursday Live’, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 6pm to 7pm in the church hall. The early evening session feature crafts, faith, fun, snacks and games.

Find St Luke’s on Burnley Road, Brierfield, BB9 5JL.

Across to Blackburn and Christ Church plays host to its Holiday Club from Tuesday - Thursday 29-31 August from 9-30am to noon with a jungle theme. Each day is free, packed with games, songs, Bible stories crafts and snacks.

Christ Church also holds its Lego Club every Monday between 3.45pm and 5pm. This is for children from reception age to year 6. As well as Lego building there are other fun activities while adults can have a free brew and a biscuit from the church community café.

Christ Church is in Mosley Street, Blackburn, BB2 3ST. Pre-register for the Holiday Club at www.christchurchblackburn.org.uk 

Staying in Blackburn, the Church of the Saviour has organised a summer of ‘Families At Four’ which takes place at 4pm every Sunday from July 30 to September 3. The church team promise crafts, games, interactive Bible Time, food and fun to suit the whole family, whatever the age!

The Church of The Saviour is on Onchan Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NT. Website www.the-redeemer.org.uk 

Over at St Andrew’s Church in Livesey they are offering a Holiday Football Camp for youngsters from Reception age to Year 3 from July 31 to August 2. The venue is Livesey Childrens’ Centre, BB2 4NT and with limited places available the church is asking people to book online at www.standrewslivesey.org.uk.

The church is on Andrew Close, Blackburn BB2 4NT.

Moving on to St James Church in Lower Darwen, they are hosting ‘Holiday Space for Families’ from 10am to 2pm on July 27 and August 3, 10, 16 and 17. The sessions involve crafts, activities, games and a hot meal, and all are FREE. Priority booking is available at www.getstuckin.org.uk or for more information call 01254 427020.

St James is at Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, BB3 0QP.

Watch out in Hoghton, because there’s a ‘Commotion in the Ocean’ at Holy Trinity Hoghton and All Saints Higher Walton in August when the joint church Holiday Club for youngsters aged 4 to 11 gets underway.

The first phase will be held at Higher Walton Primary School from Monday to Friday August 21-25 from 10am to noon, with a final session on Sunday, August 27 at Holy Trinity Church Hall starting at 4pm.

It promises to be a busy week, with games, drama, stories, crafts, songs and messy challenges! Admission is free and to book a place, email ashw1864@gmail.com or call 01772 335138. Venue is on Rosewood Avenue, Higher Walton PR5 4FE.

Let’s jump over to St George’s Church in Chorley now where they will welcome youngsters and parents to Little Steps Babies and Toddlers sessions with a summer special on August 16 and first session back from the summer holidays on September 6.

The sessions, from 10-30 to 11-30am, take place in St George’s church hall, St George's Street, Chorley, PR7 2AA.

Staying in Chorley, children aged 3-13 (who must be accompanied by an adult) are being invited to St Laurence’s Church for food and fun on Wednesdays in August … that’s August 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

The free sessions include lunch for the children and their carer/parent; all at Union Street, Chorley PR7 1EB.

Nearby to Chorley, Euxton Parish Church is holding youth group summer specials for any young people going into years 6 to 10.

On August 29 from 5-6.30pm it’s an outdoor games session and on September 10 an evening of pizza and games is planned from 6.30 to 8pm.

More information including venues and to book in, go to www.euxtonparishchurch.org or email euxton.youth@gmail.com.

Across to Leyland now and it’s a ‘Right Royal Riddle’ at St Andrew’s Church in the town from August 7 to 10 as young people are invited to come and meet The King at the church’s holiday Bible club.

The cost is just £12 per child and places can be booked on the church website at www.standrewsleyland.org.uk. The Church Hall is on Worden Lane, Leyland PR25 3EL.

Further north now to Bamber Bridge and an exciting morning of mini Olympic Games will be taking place on St Saviour’s Vicarage lawn on Tuesday, August 1 from 10am to 12.30pm.

The hard graft on the sports field will be followed by a hotdog lunch. Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

St Saviour’s Teddy Bears Picnic also takes place on the vicarage lawn on Tuesday, August 8, between 11am and 12.30pm. Bring your own teddy, blanket and picnic with free games and craft activities provided. More information on these events at www.stsavioursbb.org.uk 

Moving up to St Stephen’s in Preston, there they are welcoming families to a Family Fun afternoon on Tuesdays between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

The venue is Hartington Road Courts, PR1 8PP and the fun begins with drinks and snacks, followed by different family activities each week and a short service time followed by ice cream. 

Children should be accompanied by an adult and for more info call Kate on 07580 140647.

Let’s head to the coast now and All Saints Anchorsholme will also be holding a KidZone event from August 7 to August 11, 10am to 12 noon each day, for children aged 4 to 11. All Saints Church, North Drive, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 3HT.

Parents can come along with their children and enjoy refreshments in a ParentZone, or they can leave them for the duration!

The cost is just £2 per child. Places can be reserved at www.allsaintsanchorsholme.com/kidzone 

There will be a ‘Church in the Churchyard’ event for the whole family on Saturday, August 26, from 10am - 2pm at St Chad’s in Poulton-le-Fylde, Market Place, FY6 7BA. With live music, puppets, a pet blessing at 11am and 1pm plus outdoor games and a bouncy castle.

Listening benches will also be available … where you can sit and chat to someone. You can add a prayer to the prayer tree and there will also be refreshments. Everyone is welcome; why not invite your friends or family!

Further north again now and finally we have St Thomas’ in Lancaster where they aren’t forgetting the older people in the community with a ‘Holiday at Home 2023’ event called ‘The Fun Loving 50s’. It runs from 10am to 3.45pm from August 8-10 with singing, crafts, games, dancing, food and fun!  To register visit www.st.tees.org.uk or click here.