A LATCHFORD church will be reinvigorating old friendships and forging new ones as it celebrates its 150th year.

Christ Church Latchford turns 150 in July after it was built to accommodate people meeting at the school rooms on Wash Lane.

Father John Goode said: “It’s a nostalgia fest. It’s a good thing for renewing old links and it’s a good thing for the community. Latchford has grown with the church.”

The celebrations kick off with an evening of music and a choir reunion at the Wash Lane church next Saturday, May 21, at 7.30pm.

“It is a concert of secular music sung by the choir and the Geoff Clough Folk Group. They used to be members of the choir and we have been in touch with previous members too,” added Father John.

In June another reunion will take place, this time of former Rose Queens for the annual Christ Church Latchford Rose Queen event, on Saturday, June 18, in the vicarage garden from 1.30pm.

Father John said: “The oldest rose queen will crown the new rose queen and the oldest we know of at the moment is in her 80s.”

On July 16, the day of the church’s 150th anniversary, there will be a thanksgiving service with a number of dignitaries attending, followed by a garden party.

And the church is expecting a good turnout for the events.

“People may attend other districts and other parishes but they are coming back here for the celebrations,” Father John added.

“There is one young man who is coming from Holland. He turned up to see his mother 18 months ago and came along and we told him about the reunion and he said he would be here.”

Warrington Male Voice Choir will also perform at the church on September 10.

And this Sunday the Bishop of Birkenhead, the Reverend Keith Sinclair, will be attending the church for the yearly confirmation.