Hexham’s Trinity Methodist Church to show World Cup games

May 28 2010 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

CHURCHES are places traditionally associated with praying and celebration.

And there could be plenty of both at one Northumberland church over the coming weeks after it announced plans to show England’s World Cup matches in a bid to get footie fans into its pews. Trinity Methodist Church at Hexham will be showing games on a big screen, taking the opportunity to also hold a number of World Cup-themed services and also to raise money for a charity in South Africa, where the tournament is being staged.

At half time bacon butties will be served, alongside Fair Trade tea and coffee and there will be a tuck shop.

Minister at Trinity, Rev David Flavell, organised similar screenings at the last World Cup and had planned to do the same for the European Championships two years ago before Steve McClaren’s men failed to qualify.

He said: “It is to offer an alternative especially for families to going down the pub and the chance for people to get together. We expect lots of people to come and support England.

“People are looking forward to it, I hope it will be a real smash hit.”

Rev Flavell is also hoping local Scottish, Irish and Welsh people will come out to support their traditional rival.

And he is also extending a warm welcome to any Americans, Algerians and Slovenians – England’s opponents for their group matches – who might be in Hexham during the tournament.