Chippenham Deanery recently welcomed friends from their link Diocese of Mukono in Uganda. This has been a regular exchange between the Mukono Diocese and Chippenham Deanery, ideas and cultures are shared and friendships deepened. Robina Kato, a schoolteacher her husband James Kato a Trainee Priest and Reverend Wilson Galimaka, spoke of being overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality they were given at the numerous houses across the Deanery. Aurea Hart, the Lay Chair of the Deanery said that this was the most successful visit to be organised with many events held throughout the Lent and Easter period in all the churches . An impression of a lively and vibrant church across the Deanery would be taken back to Mukono.

Many activities were experienced which included Holy Week events, Lent Lunches, school visits and Good Friday services. A memorable trip to London by train to visit Westminster Abbey and the House of Lords where Baroness Liz Barker the Lib Dem Shadow Health Minister, kindly treated our visitors and friends to an extensive tour of The House of Lords with tea on the terrace by the Thames with views of the London Eye and Lambeth Palace. A visit to Windsor Castle was enjoyed on a beautiful day in contrast to earlier cold days.

A farewell lunch was shared by eighteen at the Revolutions Restaurant where prayers of thanks and wishes for a safe journey home were expressed. The visit was tinged with sadness as five others were to have come but were unable to obtain visas. The problem, experienced in previous years, is being dealt with by the Diocesan Uganda Link Co-ordinator, Chris Dobson with the British High Commission in Nairobi and a member of the House of Lords.

Mary Fallon (member of St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham)