FAMILIES bonded over party games and pork rolls at a church community fun day.

St Aldhelm’s Church hosted its annual family fun day at St Aldhelm’s church centre on Spa Road to coincide with with the centre’s fifth anniversary.

The whole community was invited to come out for a free afternoon of socialising, food and children’s games.

Centre manager Peter Bennett said: “The fun day was a community out reach day organised primarily by the church district council so people can enjoy the facilities and show them that we are a great group of people.

“We had a great turn out with people of all walks of life from the community of Radipole and Melcombe Regis coming together to enjoy each others company.”

Young and old competed with one another on Scalextric and giant Connect 4 while enjoying plenty of refreshments, cream teas and cake.

Peter said: “Every year the church likes to do something for people in the community, whether on their own or with family everyone is welcome to enjoy a free fun day without them having to put their hands in their pockets.

“It’s good to let the community know that we’re not just there for weddings and funerals and the ceremonial things, but we are here all the time 365 days of the year.

“If the community gets to know us a bit more they might find it easier to each out.”

As the fun day marked five years since the St Aldhelm’s Church centre opened its doors, it provided residents with an opportunity to explore the facilities on offer.

The centre was built as a multi-purpose site for people of all faiths to use as they wish whether for business meetings, conferences or children’s parties and is today regularly used for everything from language lessons to exercise classes.

Centre assistant Patrick Clarke said: “The initial premise was to be an inclusive space for groups to use as and when they want and I think we have achieved that.”