‘Big Brew’, a yearlong initiative operated by The Message Trust to build unity and community spirit in Greater Manchester, has been supported by over 40 churches in Stockport last weekend.

|TOP|The event involved churches of any size or age, garnering hundreds of people from the local communities.

Traidcraft, the UK's leading fair trade organisation dedicated to fighting poverty through trade, sponsored the event, allowing the churches to run everything from a fair trade café to a family fun day for free.

Heaton Churches Together saw 12 churches working together on their annual family fun day at Thornfield Park, Heaton Moor.

St Mary's Cheadle, All Hallows, Cheadle Hulme and Cheadle Hulme Methodist ran a family fun day with puppet shows, bouncy castles, fun and games.

|AD|Chelwood Baptist used the day to open their new Life Centre café at Grosvenor Road in Larkhill, by Ann Coffey MP.

Alan Saunders, the Big Deal coordinator, had promised a warm welcome and friendly conversation.

He said: “The Big Brew is a great way for churches to reach out in their local communities. Churches large and small, young and old, rich and poor, all have one thing in common – they are experts at brewing up!”

The Big Deal aims to build on the successful projects in communities across the borough by linking together churches of all denominations. The scheme includes activities such as car washes, picnics, community barbecues, painting, litter pick-ups and environmental clean-ups, talent contest and youth concerts.