Blessing the trip boat

THOUGH the John Bunyan Community has carried nearly 3,000 passengers  since July, it has now been decided to bless the boat 'in recognition of the importance of the boat to the communities in Bedford'.

With it being a multi-faith society, it will be a multi-faith blessing that will take place at Sovereigns Quay at 5pm on Sunday 20th October.

The service will be conducted by Rev. Cass Howes, Co-Chair of the Bedford Council of Faiths and Chaplain to the University of Bedford together with the Rev Chris Damp, Minister at the John Bunyan Meeting place.

Various faith leaders

There will be some short readings and prayers from the various faith leaders, Hindu, Sikhs, Islam, Christians and the Jewish community, after which paper petals will be placed on the boat, along with paper garlands from the faith readers. The John Bunyan Hymn—He Who Would Valiant Be—will be sung and the University of Bedford Professor Bob Owens will read a paragraph about John Bunyan.

We are told that everyone is welcome to attend with refreshments being served on the boat afterwards. Graham Mabbutt, Chairman of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, who own and operate the boat enthused:

"I am delighted that this is a multi-faith blessing and reflects the diversity of the communities in Bedford and the importance of the John Bunyan as a community boat."