We had thought that Whitby Flowergate Chapel had closed for good back in October 2021, so it was very welcome news to hear from Rev. Margaret Kirk that it was having a “grand re-opening” on August 21st and that services would continue on a monthly basis. As Rev. Kirk told us:

“We are very excited about this as at the same time we are about to complete a licence arrangement with two community workers who provide arts-based activities and offer a community fridge and cafe in the basement of church premises nearby. They will be using our chapel throughout the week as auxiliary space and are very well regarded for the work they do! This arrangement has the support of a community regeneration officer from Scarborough Borough Council, and we’re very fortunate to have had financial support for the toilet floor repairs from the YUU (Yorkshire Unitarian Union) which has now been completed, and the truss beams were repaired in February from our own funds and a grant from the Leonard Chamberlain Trust. Much more needs to be done but the chapel is now a safe space!”

On 21st August, Unitarians from the Newcastle and Stockton congregations headed to Whitby to join Unitarians from across Yorkshire for the grand re-opening. It was an excellent and well-attended service, with a short reading from Rev. Kirk about how we got to the point of re-opening, Rebecca Denniff from Flash Company Arts Ltd CIC outlining their plans for community use of the chapel, and the Whitby Community Choir giving a very well-received performance of ‘Bread and Roses’, which many members of the congregation joined in out (albeit some of us had to surreptitiously look up all the lyrics on our phones!) We enjoyed coffee and cakes afterwards, before heading home in the sunshine.

It was truly uplifting to see Whitby chapel returning to its rightful place as a valuable part of the local community, and inspirational for those of us here in Newcastle. We wish all involved all the best!