Winter Warmers

Our Winter Warmers pop-up cafe is back. It re-started on Wednesday 22nd November and will run through to March 2024. If you are struggling with rising costs, then do come along to our warm space for free hot drinks and a free hot meal. Everyone is welcome.

Winter Warmers at Bolton Villas Family Church, starts Wednesday 22nd November, 4.30 to 6.30pm, and runs through to March 2024.

Carols at The Wrose Bull

Christians Together in Wrose invite you to a carol service in the garden of The Wrose Bull on Saturday 16th December at 5pm. Come sing and hear the joyful Christmas story and hope for the World, and join in the Christmas Joy, accompanied by The Salvation Army.

Encounter Night

Our next Encounter Night takes place on Friday 8th December, starting at 7.30pm. These events are a wonderful way encounter the Holy Spirit, to worship the living God and to praise His Holy name. We’ve love to see you if you’re free.

Socks and Chocs is back!

We’re very pleased to announce that we are supporting The Bradford Soup Run again this Christmas by collecting socks and chocs for their annual Christmas Day appeal. If you want to help us then you can drop off blocks of chocolates, (new) socks, scarves, hats and gloves either in Refreshed or come along to our Family Service on Sunday 3rd December.

We're collecting socks and chocs for Bradford Soup Run's Christmas Day appeal

Refreshed Christmas Fayre

On Saturday 18th November 2023 Refreshed, our Cafe and Charity Shop will be holding our annual Christmas Fayre running from 10am to 1pm. Whether you’re looking for decorations, gifts, cards, party clothing and accessories, toys or just bric-a-brac, books, music or DVDs there is bound to be something for you. We’re also very pleased to be able to offer a craft area for the children during the fayre this year, plus our Cafe will also be open serving bacon butties.

Christmas Fayre poster

Comedians and Carols

We are exicted to announce that the popular Comedians and Carols evening is coming to Bradford this November in its 15th year. Comedians and Carols is an evening of comedy, singalong carols, general joyous fun and professional hilarity. The show is a bizarrely popular festive hybrid of a comedy show and a carol service which combines the amazing talents of Paul Kerensa, with guest appearances from Jude Simpson, Tony Vino and Dominic Woodward. 

Comedians and Carols Evening Poster

PAUL KERENSA

Writer for BBC1’s Miranda and Not Going Out, Paul Kerensa is one of the few to have appeared at London’s Comedy Store and on Radio 2’s Pause For Thought. He’s written for TV shows such as TFI Friday, Top Gear, Royal Variety Performance and Buble at the BBC, and performed at festivals from Greenbelt to the Edinburgh Fringe via Montreal Comedy Festival. Books include Amazon top 100 bestseller Hark! The Biography of Christmas, children’s book Noah’s Car Park Ark, and his forthcoming novel Auntie and Uncles: The Bizarre Birth of the BBC.   

‘If I was a joke thief, I would be shinning up Paul Kerensa’s drainpipe.’ 

Milton Jones

‘A comic wave that just keeps coming … As effortless a writer as he is a performer.’

The Stage

JUDE SIMPSON

Jude Simpson is a unique writer and entertainer, combining insightful observational comedy with poetry, rap and song to create a unique act which leaves audiences smiling, laughing and occasionally hungry. Her writing is lighthearted and upbeat, though with a linguistic craftsmanship which has had her compared to Victoria Wood and Joyce Grenfell. Jude appeared with Matt Harvey on his Radio 4 show “Wondermentalist Cabaret”, on BBC Radio 7′s “Stand Up Poetry”, BBC Radio 4′s “Saturday Live”, BBC Radio 2’s “Eddie Izzard’s Late Night Cabaret” and was one of just 8 poets from across the UK to appear on BBC3′s slam show “Slam Poets”, hosted by Lemn Sissay. Jude has completed four successful runs at the Edinburgh Festival with a solo show of stand-up poetry, song and comedy. These shows have been toured around the UK at arts festivals, theatres and other venues. In May 2006, Jude won the Swindon Festival of Literature Poetry Slam. In August 2004 Jude won the Edinburgh International Book Festival slam organised by Big Word. In October 2003, Jude won the UK Allcomers Slam at the Cheltenham Literature Festival – the biggest slam poetry competition in Europe. 

“Quick-fire humour, fast pace and punchy rhymes.”

Arts Hub 

“Rhythm, rhyme and the quirkiness of life.”

British Theatre Guide 

“A charismatic and skilful performer.”

The Stage

TONY VINO

Since 2005 Tony Vino has brought his energetic sense of fun to the UK comedy circuit. Tony has been called upon to entertain at many high profile events for charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam, Fairtrade Foundation and TearFund. He’s also been the tour support act for TV acts such as Jimmy Cricket and Tim Vine. He travels internationally performing at resorts and on cruises. He has performed for TV & Radio and was even called upon to be the warm up comedian for BBC’s Songs of Praise (a low point in his career). 

“A Great Show the assured Tony Vino copes with a mixed audience really well.”

Kate Copstick, The Scotsman

“Uplifting style, great delivery and consistently funny throughout.”

Sam Walker, BBC Manchester

“Tony is very funny, a class act and always comes up with the goods.”

Darren Goddard, Greenbelt Festival Events 

DOMINIC WOODWARD

Dominic’s act is packed full of jokes, gags, banter, stories and a bit of daft comedy magic that involves the audience and always takes the roof off. He also beats the world record for speed balloon modelling every show – it’s hilarious and a must-see! With almost 20 years experience on the UK circuit he’s a safe pair of hands. He’s cheeky, charming, full of energy and hilarious. There’s a naughty twinkle in his eyes but his act is warm, personal and inoffensive.

“Insightful and humorous observations.” Guardian “Effortless delivery.”

The Times

“Engaging material.”

Manchester Evening News

Comedians and Carols takes place on Friday 24th November 2023, the doors open at 6.15pm and will offer a pie and pea supper from 6.30pm with the main show starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and can be bought online from Eventbrite or scan the QR Code.

QR Code for Comedians and Carols event November 2023

We look forward to seeing you at the event. Please remember that although Bolton Villas Family Church does have a small car park, we are anticipating that it will fill up fairly quickly. We would ask you therefore to be considerate to our neighbours when parking your car in our local area.

The Uganda Experience

On Thursday 24th August, we are hosting a talk from Rev Jon Sermon, on his visits to Uganda with the charity Romans 1:11 Trust. Jon will speak about vibrant worship, culture shock, inspiring stories of God at work in the schools, charities, orphanages and communities he has visited. Why not come along and see mutual encouragement in action.

You are invited to 'The Uganda Experience'. Jon Sermon, a URC Minister from Suffolk will be reporting on his visits with the charity Romans 1:11.  Thursday 24th August, 7pm at Bolton Villas Family Church

Winter Warmers and Warm Spaces

We are very pleased to announce that our Winter Warmer Free Pop-Up Cafe starts next week, on Friday 25th November from 4-7pm. We will be open every Friday during winter for families and individuals to meet, have a chat, get a (hot) drink and eat a warm meal. Everyone will be very welcome.

Winter Warmer Free Pop-Up Cafe, Every Friday 4-7pm, starting 25th November 2022 and running throughout winter

In addition to this our Refreshed cafe and charity shop has registered as a warm space. Refreshed is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am to 3pm.

The Death of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Pastor Ashley and the Elders of Bolton Villas Family Church wish to express our profound sadness at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our church will be open in the coming days for members of our community to express their grief and sadness, further details of which will be made available when known.

Our Queen has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour.
She has reigned with integrity and honour.
Our condolences go out to her family the nation and the commonwealth.
Lord Jesus be with her family and the nation.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
In Jesus precious name.
Amen.

Rest in Peace HM Queen Elizabeth II

Encounter Nights are back!

We are delighted to announce the return of our Encounter Nights, the next event will take place on Friday 24th June 2022, starting at 7.30pm and will also incorporate a half-night of prayer which will finish at Midnight. The event is open to everyone, attendees can join us for worship at 7.30pm or drop-in at any point during the evening. Whenever you join us, wee’d love to see you.

Encounter Night - 24th June 2022, starting at 7.30pm