‘Teach a child how he
should live and he will remember it all his life’
- Proverbs 22:6

The BEST Trust has been working in partnership with local schools for many years and includes among its workers a number of members of Mount Zion Independent Methodist Church.

The church sponsors a part-time worker to enable the trust to conduct its work more effectively.
All ages are covered from nursery schools to sixth form colleges, after school clubs and special presentations.

Last year the team from Cliviger (Alan and Pauline Scholes and Shirley Ashworth) were involved in taking assemblies in 27 primary schools and six nurseries. They also ran lunchtime clubs in two schools and a monthly after-school service at St John’s Church of England School, Cliviger. A number of special lessons and presentations were also given.

A second team, led by Mary Cliff from Hurstwood Church, concentrated on work in High Schools. Mary is also chaplain at Burnley College, running a weekly Christian Union as well as other events. This team are also involved in primary school work.

At the end of the summer term 55 groups of children from 18 schools - more than 1,300 children in total - enjoyed sailing on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in trips led by BEST. Also on board for a time was a group of youngsters from Chynoble.

More than 800 ‘It’s Your Move’ books, produced by Scripture Union, were given to year 6 pupils and a number of basic signing lessons were given in schools by workers from the East Lancashire Deaf Group.