In the late 1950s or early 1960’s (we’re not quite sure when) a Young People’s Fellowship was started at Nantwich Baptist Church in Market Street Nantwich.  Paul Bentley, a church member with a vision for the youth of the town committed himself to being there every Friday night to provide a ‘club’ for the young people of the church and their friends to share in fun and fellowship.  It was a success, but little did Paul realise that some of the members of that YPF in years to come would continue the work in a leadership role. Many members over the years have gone on to work in churches throughout the country and further afield, with young people and in the wider mission of the church in the world

Paul committed many years to the role and eventually passed it on to Anthony and Sandra Herbert who in 1971 decided that it would be a good idea to have a week away – and the first YPF camp happened in Abersoch that summer.  Mike Hassall took over the YPF Leadership role in the late 1970s as Anthony and Sandra moved away, and Steve Welch took on the challenge in the late eighties.  Both Mike and Steve were part of the YPF as teenagers in the late 60s and early 70s.

Annual Camps and weekends away have been a feature of more recent years, and apart from 2007 (when there were only two weekends away) there has been a full YPF week away. It has been held at Lucton School near Leominster for the last 10 years or so but wee have been to many other parts of the country as well.    Many young folk have happy memories of holidays full of fun and fellowship, and many lasting friendships have been developed.

Summer Camps have for some 20 years or so been joint with the younger group of JCE (Junior Christian Endeavour) and we are firmly affiliated to that well respected movement and to its principles.  JCE has been ably led for many years by Steve’s wife Pat.

YPF is ecumenical – ie it is not denominational.  Many youngsters from different denominations have come through the fellowship; there is of course only one church after all.

Young people are not the church of tomorrow – they are the church of TODAY. Market Street Church takes its youth work seriously and the Church gives full backing to the leadership team. We are committed to an approved Child Protection Policy and support of leaders and helpers in training and development.  A feature of the work has always been that new leaders come from and grow out of the young folk themselves.  Now I wonder who will be taking over in due course…