Roughshod on the Road: Leigh

Pippa GibbLeigh, Greater Manchester – the last base of tour, including our last prison, schools, public shows & our first show outside of England!

Our last prison was Lancaster Farms Young Offenders Institute. It was also our earliest get-up that week: around 6am. Our show was concluded with a complimentary voice from the back row of the audience: ‘That was some show, that were’. The comment came from a guy who insisted we call him Margaret – he had a sense of humour! During the workshop a prisoner was so impressed that Rob was willing to share his personal story, that he in turn opened up about his life and his family situation, something he never really did. Rob then got the opportunity to pray with him.

We visited two schools in Leigh, running a workshop & shows. The questions from pupils following our show at St Mary’s Catholic College included asking why we share our personal stories (testimonies). Good opportunities at our last school appointment. Though given it was the middle July’s heat wave, it was very, very hot!

Ruth East was our last base organizer. She was a star – promoting our two Leigh shows throughout the town. We had fab audiences at the shows, as well as a fab workshop with her church’s drama group – Spotlight, and plenty of sweets and lovely meals provided in between!

Our first, and unfortunately our last, cross-border show was in Wales… (though the locals of Bodmin had previously protested that Cornwall is a land of its own.) We were welcomed by a purpose-made banner for the show in Towyn, and we had a fab time with the full house of warm people (in reception as well as temperature!), and we were sent off with a beer / drink from the bar in the church!

Our final tour show was at Rob’s home church, Garstang Free Methodist. It was a fitting end to tour, what with the standing ovation…and the lovely community. Our final church service was there the following morning, too. Paddy, Rob’s mum, then treated us to a ride on a canal boat (another unexpected Roughshod adventure). A few of us steered and live to tell the tale!

And although Rob was the only one at home, Mike properly felt like he was at a home away from home. He had an ensuite bedroom, a Playstation 3 in his room, and a trampoline in the garden. He got along with his host family so well that he got invited to live there as an honorary member of the family! The son, Ewan, became a Riding Lights Member during the week, and that’s exactly what RL Membership is made for – helping mutual friendships to be long-lasting.

Us girls didn’t hold back from having a good time either: we had a girly day at Frankie and Benny’s (I confess, my favourite restaurant) and shopping for much-needed clothes. As a team we were also blessed with a visit from Andrew from the office, for a photography trip & of course for fun with friends!

York is our next location, back to the theatre & office for prep for Summer School…watch this space for the excitement to follow! We can’t wait!

Pippa