Church's Whit Walks tradition goes bump

Procession replaced by party as traffic and roads take toll


A 200-year-old tradition is coming to an end in Greenacres — because of a few speed bumps and pot-holes.

For the past two centuries, members at Greenacres Congregational Church have joined in with the annual Whit Walks.

But this year, they have decided not to take part and will instead join forces with Elim Church in Greenacres Road and St Barnabas Church in Arundel Street, Clarksfield, for a party.

Each church will host its own service before linking up for a joint service at Elim Church at noon on Sunday, followed by a barbeque, bouncy castle and face painting.

The Rev Neil Chappell, of Greenacres Congregational Church, said: "We have been taking part in Whitsuntide Processions since 1811, but this year we have decided to do something different.

"Some of our congregation find it more difficult to complete as road traffic increases and traffic-calming measures make it difficult for brass bands to negotiate.

"We have gradually become aware that hosting the traditional Whit Walk was becoming less and less viable because our ageing congregation struggle to cope with all the road humps.

"We're sad that the tradition is coming to an end as it's been going on for 200 years according to our history books, but we are hoping our joint party will be a representation of what the past has meant.

ÊThere will still be a very short Whit Walk for us as we leave our church to join the party at Elim Church but there will be no brass band leading us, which is disappointing"



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