News
Mercian Puts The Community Spirit Back Into Christmas!
Residents and staff from Mercian Housing have kicked off the Christmas season with a Christmas Carol Service held at one of their sheltered schemes, Haven Court, in Erdington.
In celebration of community spirit, residents, staff and members of the local community, including MP Penny Holbrook and local Community Police Officers, wrote messages of remembrance on silver stars which were placed on the Christmas tree - kindly donated by Andy Pilsbury from Beth Johnson Site Services.
Mulled wine and warm mince pies were enjoyed by all as they listened to a reading by Laurice Ponting, Chief Executive at Mercian Housing, the choir from St. Mary’s and St. John’s school in Erdington, performing Christmas carols and a solo performance by Joy Strachan, lead singer of Birmingham based band Quill and daughter of one of the residents at Haven Court.
The service ended with a blessing from Lay Preacher, Ellen Jenkins of Saint Barnabus Church. This is particularly poignant, as earlier this year residents from Haven Court produced six beautiful glass paintings of local landmarks for a community art project, including Saint Barnabus, which was sadly damaged by fire in October.
Mercian Housing Chief Executive, Laurice Ponting commented: “At Mercian we share a vision of ‘helping develop communities that people take pride’. Through investing and engaging in communities, we are working towards improving the quality of living for people who live there helping to build a sense of pride in homes and neighbourhoods. A Christmas Carol service was a beautiful way for us to get together with members of the Erdington community.”
Press Enquiries please contact Vicky Jones on 0121 377 88 99 or email vjones@mercian.org.uk.