Members and a
minister of the Presbyterian Church of Wales helped ensure that
pub and club goers had a safe and enjoyable time in Llandudno
over Christmas.
Reverend
Neil Kirkham and members of Gloddaeth United Church joined
forces with North Wales Police and volunteers from two other churches to patrol the streets during the evening, helping to
resolve violent incidents and seeing drunks safely home.
The twelve "Street
Angels" were equipped with special jackets, hats, personal
alarms, torches and radios, and took to the streets between 9pm and 3am during six nights over Christmas.
Having received basic training in first aid, health and safety
and conflict management, they took to the streets. They also had
goodie bags containing flip-flops, water and so on to hand out
to revellers.
The Street
Angels, including Revd Neil Kirkham and
Bill and Jackie Collins
of Gloddaeth United Church
(photo: North Wales Weekly News)
Revd Kirkham described his
experience of the Friday night before Christmas: "Nine of us went out in
three teams of three concentrating on Upper Mostyn St at first
and then down to the Boulevard and Washington."
"We were very well received.
Obviously the advertising had paid off because we heard a lot of
comments as we passed, 'There's those Street Angels'. Some
stopped to talk to us to ask why we were doing it. Most were
impressed and appreciative that volunteers would give up an
evening to watch out for them."
"We had the opportunity to explain
that we were from local churches and we see this as an
expression of God's love and protection. Many think of God as a
killjoy but He is the source of all real joy. His joy, though,
carries no danger (or hangover)."
"We were able to help people find
taxis, reunite friends with parties when they had lost each
other in the crowds. We were also able to alert the police to
one domestic incident where a young man was becoming aggressive
towards his girlfriend and we witnessed a fight in Gloddaeth St
and called the police. This led to one strong and very angry
young man being restrained with a Taser shot."
"All in all a very positive
experience and I hope we were a help in allowing people to enjoy
themselves in safety."
