The much-anticipated return of the Old Leigh Regatta saw over 10,000 people gather for a weekend of fun, excitement, and community spirit. After a five-year hiatus, this beloved event made its comeback, featuring a variety of activities that brought joy to people of all ages.
The regatta, held along the picturesque old town waterfront, was a spectacular affair. Visitors enjoyed water sports, live music, and traditional games, alongside numerous charity fundraising stalls. Highlights included paddleboarding races, sailing displays, and even a funfair, making it a day to remember for everyone involved.
Old Leigh Regatta 2024 Photo credit: Sally Willcock
Among the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event a success were members of Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC). Church volunteers assisted as programme sellers, stage crew, and in logistics, helping ensure the weekend ran smoothly.
David Elcock, Community Worker at LRBC, expressed the church’s gratitude in being part of this local tradition. “It was so good to help as a church in some small way with the return of the Old Leigh Regatta after a five-year break. The weekend was a spectacular affair, with water sports, fundraising fun, live music, and a wonderful community atmosphere for all ages. Roll on 2025! Our thanks to the volunteers and sea scouts that brought it back and worked so tirelessly over the year to ensure the Regatta was a success.”
Marcus Dean, Chairman of the Regatta, shared his thoughts on the event’s successful return: “To see so many people enjoying themselves is what makes this regatta so special. This is an event the community truly owns and loves. After five years, the excitement and energy were even greater, and we are so grateful to all who helped make it happen.”
With the community’s continued support, the Old Leigh Regatta is set to remain a key event in the town’s calendar, bringing together residents and visitors in celebration of local culture and charity. Here’s to many more regattas to come!
On the evening of Tuesday 27 August, Leigh Road Baptist Church hosted an unforgettable event, Faith in Art: An Evening with the Artists. The exhibition, which is part of the wider Open Summer Exhibition 2024, saw artists, friends, family, and members of the general public come together to celebrate the intersection of faith and creativity. The church’s exhibition space was filled with lively discussions about the artwork on display and the deep, thought-provoking issues and meanings each piece raised.
The atmosphere was electric, with free refreshments ensuring the drinks flowed, adding to the convivial spirit of the evening. Visitors were not only treated to a feast for the eyes but also for the ears, with newly released music playing throughout the night, touching on themes of faith, life, and the myriad emotions that lie in between.
Jane Brooks, one of the artists exhibiting her work, summed up the evening perfectly, saying, “Well, that was rather marvellous, thanks for organising the exhibition and making it happen. It goes without saying that I loved it… so much art and community in the same place.” Another visitor echoed the sentiment, expressing how deeply they were moved by the space and the artwork on display.
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for visitors to step inside the LRBC Sanctuary, where six life-size replicas of world-famous Christian artworks were on display. These masterpieces included:
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt
Christ of St. John of the Cross by Salvador Dali
The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet
Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Light of the World by Holman Hunt
Return of the Prodigal by Rembrandt
These pieces have been the subject of Sunday morning talks throughout the summer, each serving as a visual gateway to explore the deeper messages within the Christian faith as part of Leigh Road Baptist Church’s weekly gatherings.
Andrew Cowley, Minister of LRBC expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are immensely grateful to the more than 40 artists who contributed to our inaugural Faith in Art Open Exhibition. Their incredible creativity ignited meaningful conversations and inspired many to reflect on the profound questions that life presents. It was truly wonderful to witness the works of established artists showcased alongside the vibrant artwork of Darlinghurst Academy school children in the windows, creating a beautiful tapestry of artistic expression and community.”
The evening was a triumph of community, creativity, and contemplation, blending art and faith in a way that resonated with everyone who attended. As the exhibition continues until Sunday, we look forward to seeing how these conversations will develop and what new inspirations will emerge from this unique fusion of art and spirituality.
The exhibition is open to the public every Sunday morning across late July and August from 10am to 12:30pm. The finals Sunday to view will be Sunday 1st September.
Faith in Art 2024 | 28 July – 1 September 2024
As part of summer Church Leigh Road Baptist Church has hosted a ‘Faith in Art’ Open Submission Summer Exhibition in the church windows and welcome area across late July and August.
The show makes space for and welcomed submissions from all; established local artists, emerging talent, schools and hobbyists of all ages.
We believe the exhibition showcases a breadth and diversity of work using acrylics, oils, watercolours, gouache, pen and ink, crayon, photography, spray can, airbrush, pastels and mixed media.
The Theme: Faith in Art
The Bible and Christianity have long been an inspiration for artists from Michelangelo and Rembrandt to 21 century contemporary artists. This new exciting exhibition seeks to invite artists to interpret, ask questions, raise doubts, tell of the hope, depict stories of the Bible in a creative way, based on their own faith, culture and experience.
We hope to create a richer dialogue through arts about the big questions of life and faith.
Summer Faith in Art Talks
Across the Summer, the LRBC Sunday morning gatherings have looked upon and explored the meanings, motivations and stories depicted in works of art by some of the world’s most famous artists.
You can revisit any of the talks as part of the church services via the play list below.
Leigh Road Baptist Church has been praying for Leigh-on-Sea, its people and the wider world for over 130 years, and it is our absolute joy to continue to do so.
We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, simply put, we see prayer work.
If as an individual, business, school or organisation in Leigh-on-Sea or indeed beyond you would like LRBC to pray for you or your situation, please post your prayer request in the box below and hit submit.
‘Why don’t you try praying for a week and see what happens in your life?’
Why not check out TryPraying, a 7 day prayer guide for the non-religious, for those who aren’t into church, the atheist and agnostic.
Left to Right: Rev Steve Tinning, Chair, Conservative Party | Anna Firth. Labour Party | David Burton-Sampson. Green Party | Tilly Hogrebe. Reform UK | Peter Little. Robert David John Francis | Independent. Liberal Democrats | Stephen Cummins. Lara Michelle Hurley | Heritage Party – Free Speech and Liberty. Tom Darwood | Independent. Photo credit: Sean Buckley | seanbphotography.co.uk
As the general election approaches, Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) once again invited ten of the candidates standing for the Southend West and Leigh Constituency seat to a hustings event.
It took place on Monday 24 June 2024, 7:30pm – 9:30pm chaired by Rev Steve Tinning, Joint Public Issues Enabler with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and former Minister at LRBC, to a full house of over 300 people at the home of Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1NN.
Many issues, local, national and international were addressed, including UK poverty, international aid, support of refugees, clean beaches, climate change, Israel and Palestine, local authority funding, affordable housing, crime, and political accountability amongst others.
Watch the proceedings
2024 General Election Hustings Southend West and Leigh Constituency
Those that accepted our invitation to participate in the full evening (in Alphabetical Order by Party):
Conservative Party | Anna Firth
Green Party | Tilly Hogrebe
Labour Party | David Burton-Sampson
Liberal Democrats | Stephen Cummins
Reform UK | Peter Little
Candidates invited to give opening statements and closing remarks addressing some of the questions raised (in Alphabetical Order by Party):
James Miller | Confelicity (Boycotted event)
Lara Michelle Hurley | Heritage Party – Free Speech and Liberty
Tom Darwood | Independent
Robert David John Francis | Independent
Jason Pilley | Psychedelic Movement (Did not attend)
It is a sad reality that to accommodate all 10 candidates for full participation in the Hustings would have been too unwieldy and seriously restrict the number of questions we’d have been able to address in the time available, we actually received over 88 questions! So, we followed Election Commission guidelines and extended an invitation to 5 of the 10 candidates on the basis of their parties enjoying recent local election success and/or recent national profile/polling, ensuring we have a broad range of views represented. We also reached out to the independent candidates and those representing smaller parties in the hope that they will be able to come to the Hustings and offer a short opening statement and some brief comments on some of the questions they felt particularly compelled to address, ensuring attendees will be made aware of all of those standing and the key policies they are promoting.
Questions were gathered beforehand so that we could make best use of the time we had and so that we could ensure the candidates were asked about local, national and international issues that have the broadest concern amongst those attending.
Our thanks to the candidates on the night and all those running for election, and to the public that sent in their questions and turned up hear the answers.
Please do exercise your right to vote on Thursday 4 July 2024, and don’t forget to take your photo i.d.
Conservative Party | Anna FirthGreen Party | Tilly HogrebeLabour Party | David Burton-SampsonLiberal Democrats | Stephen CumminsReform UK | Peter LittleLara Michelle Hurley | Heritage PartyRobert David John Francis | IndependenRev Steve Tinning | ChairConservative Party | Anna FirthGreen Party | Tilly HogrebeLara Michelle Hurley | Heritage PartyTom Darwood | IndependentRobert David John Francis | IndependentLabour Party | David Burton-SampsonLiberal Democrats | Stephen CumminsReform UK | Peter LittleSouthend West and Leigh General Election Hustings, Monday 24 June 2024 at Leigh Road Baptist Church.
Time to Talk Day Coop at Renew Wellbeing. Darrell chats to Ruth
The weekly Thursday Renew Wellbeing drop-in at the Living Room, 191 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea welcomed Darrell Binding, Co-op Member Pioneer for the City of Southend this past Thursday 1 February to mark the UK wide Time to Talk Day.
Time to Talk Day is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with Co-op. The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
Darrell brought along conversation starters, prompt cards and a jenga-like game with wood blocks to help those who attend Renew Wellbeing each week relax and start honest conversations. Time to Talk Day aims to help us all be open to the idea of talking – we all have mental health, and by having conversations about it we can help ourselves and others.
The Renew Wellbeing drop-in meets weekly on a Thursday from 2pm to 4pm at the Living Room and is designed to be a relaxed space to promote emotional wellbeing. Tanya Pain, who is on the RW volunteer team said, “At Renew Wellbeing we see the value in providing space to talk and listen each week. Therefore, it was great to welcome Darrell to mark Time to Talk Day. Many people of all ages and backgrounds come along, bring or take part in an activity, chat and listen to each other and reap the benefit. New people are always welcome just drop in”.
Darrell Binding added, “The Time to Talk survey highlights that too often, we put a brave face on and tell people we’re fine when we’re not because we’re worried about being a burden during difficult times. But bottling things up is only making things worse. Talking about our mental health can help us feel less alone, more able to cope, and encouraged to seek support if we need to. It was my privilege to join with Renew Wellbeing and have a conversation this Time to Talk Day.”
The LRBC Southend Foodbank Donation Point has now reopened
Leigh Road Baptist Church is a donation point for foodstuffs for the Southend Foodbank. If you are able to donate some non-perishable food, you can drop it off at the following times.
Open Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10 am to 11 am for food donations only.
A huge thank you to an amazing group of volunteers – all 46 of them – that came together before, during and after the Christmas Eco Fayre that took place at Leigh Road Baptist Church on Saturday 18 November.
They moved tables, promoted the event, displayed and sold second-hand goods and cuddly toys, painted faces, sold cakes and bacon butties (yum!). Together we championed ethical and sustainable Christmas shopping, supporting local makers and crafters – the whole event was full of joy and bargains!
Thanks to all who came along and purchased from the stallholders who reported really good sales. “Thanks for a fantastic day”, “Another really successful Eco fair” and “My favourite markets were definitely the Global Community Saturdays (Living Room) and the LRBC Christmas Fayre”, were just some of the positive comments received.
Sunday 4 June saw many invited guests and the congregation of Leigh Road Baptist Church officially welcome Rev Ian Smith as an Associate Minister of the church.
Rev Claire Blatchford, Regional Minister of the Eastern Baptist Association led the induction of Ian with promises and prayers given by Ian’s former church, Billericay Baptist Church and the gathered congregation and church members.
We are thankful to Rev. Gary Bott, Community Pastor at Billericay Baptist Church who brought us all a challenging message and the LRBC band who lead those gathered in joyous sung worship of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The service was followed by tea and an array of delicious cakes served in the church hall and garden, and informal but sincere welcomes were given by guests, Anna Firth MP and Cllr Bernhard Arscott, Chair of Leigh-on-Sea Town Council.
Ian is a gifted and experienced minister who has served in a variety of churches throughout his ministry. He is passionate about leading people to know Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith. He is also a gifted communicator and teacher.
As Leigh Road Baptist Church, we are excited to welcome Ian to the church family joining our Minister Andrew Cowley and we believe that he will be a great asset to our community and town.
A prayer for Rev Ian Smith today on the occasion of the induction of Ian as an Associate Minister of Leigh Road Baptist Church.
Father God,
Today we thank you for the service that Ian has given to your church and mission in different ways and in different places, and we pray that his sense of calling may be renewed as he comes to this work with Leigh Road Baptist Church and the people of Leigh-on-Sea.
We thank you for the talents and skills he has exercised and which he now brings to this community, for his integrity and faith.
We thank you for all that he has learned in ministry, all that he has given and all that he has shared in. We thank you for the pilgrimage of his past and the mission that is the future.
We thank you for Ian’s family, and pray for Andrea, Kayleigh and Harry, that in their own right they may know that they are welcomed by a community, embraced by a fellowship and loved for themselves.
In this ministry, may Ian give and be given to, hear and be heard, love and be loved, support and be supported. Grant your grace to both minister, ministerial team, congregation and neighbourhood to forge together a partnership of trust and respect.
May we as LRBC proclaim the good news of the kingdom through our life and worship together. May we teach, baptise and nurture new believers through our faith and fellowship, may we respond to human need by loving service on our frontlines.
By your Spirit keep us faithful and guide us on our frontlines, equip us for your service, and welcome us into your future.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Please continue to pray for Leigh Road Baptist Church and their ministers Andrew and Ian. Thank you.
Leigh Road Baptist Church’s Living Room has recently celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly drop-in wellbeing space called ‘Renew Wellbeing’ on the Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea.
‘Renew Wellbeing at the Living Room’ is a space where people can relax, take part in craft activities, read magazines, do puzzles, chat and have the opportunity to buy a drink and cake from the adjoining ‘The Phabulous Café’ next door.
Guests and volunteers celebrate!Guest enjoy colouringChatting with special guest Syrie CoxVolunteers and guests share stories together over coffeeWorking together on a jigsaw puzzle
The aim is to provide a place where local people who may feel anxious, isolated or lonely to meet with others and take part in something creative. There is also a short prayer time which is optional at 3.45pm and an opportunity to enjoy time together.
Renew Wellbeing meets every Thursday 2pm-4pm at the community space, the Living Room, 191 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea. The space is open to all, please just pop in.
Tanya Pain one of the volunteer organisers said ‘Renew Wellbeing is a space for all where it is okay to not be okay. It’s a non-judgmental safe space where nobody is forced to join in and all are welcome to just be. Anyone would be very welcome.’
Attendees have commented on the value of such a space for them,
‘I am really enjoying Renew Wellbeing, lovely people, many activities and things to do. Just what I needed and very therapeutic and good for wellbeing’.
‘You have no idea what a difference Renew Wellbeing has made to my confidence and self esteem. They changed an isolated, withdrawn old lady into one who feels ready to face the world…’
The first anniversary on Thursday 11 May saw birthday cake, crafts, puzzles, chatting and a real buzz from regular and new guests. It was also great to be visited by other churches thinking of opening up a wellbeing space and Syrie Cox, a long-time supporter of mental health and wellbeing projects and the CEO of the wonderful Southend YMCA.
Jane Brookes (LRBC) with artwork donated by Love Southend.
Following the murder of Sir David Amess last year Love Southend an inter church organisation showing God’s love throughout the city of Southend-on-Sea held a time of prayer on Zoom for his family, friends and the then Borough. Artist Helen Yousaf was commissioned to capture artistically some of the themes emerging from the prayer.
If was our privilege as Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) to make our Living Room community space on the Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea (the same road as Sir David’s constituency office) available for Helen to start the work. Helen actively engaged those who visited the Living Room while this creative work was in progress, and used their thoughts, prayers and observations in creating three pieces of artwork, which she completed later.
Love Southend, as a mark of thanks for LRBC’s help in making this art work possible, donated a piece entitled ‘Suffering and Glory’ to Jane Brookes (pictured), Facilities Manager of Leigh Road Baptist Church on the 6 October.
The accompanying wording reads:
Suffering and Glory
Sir David Amess MP was murdered during a regular constituency surgery At Belfairs Methodist Church on the 15th October 2021.
Two days later these inspiring words were released by his family:
‘Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David. He was a patriot and a man of peace. So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness’.
Love Southend commissioned artist Helen Yousaf to paint what had been expressed in a time of prayer for Sir David’s family and Southend. In a collaborative artistic exercise held in this space the people attending participated in a colourful abstract, imagining the possibilities of light overcoming darkness.
As she worked on the picture Helen was reminded of Romans 8:18-19. ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.’
A year on from the tragic murder of Sir David Amess, our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, colleagues and closest friends. We thank God for his service to our city and the many lives he affected through his service as an MP, friend and citizen of our city.
The artwork is on display on the glass welcome area, at the home of Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh-on-Sea.
The final artwork ‘Suffering and Glory’ on display in the church welcome area on Marguerite DriveSir David Amess taking part in Leigh Road Baptist Church fun contribution to Leigh Lights Christmas 2019Artist Helen Yousaf working on the artwork at LRBC’s Living Room community space.
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