For the past decade Caversham Baptist Church has opened its doors to those attending the popular music festival over the August bank holiday weekend, and this year was no different.

Following prayer and a leaflet-drop as the fans arrived in the town, the church welcomed well over 100 people each day.

Visitors enjoyed hot and cold light refreshments, mobile phone charging and - probably the most welcome facility - clean toilets.

One young man even commented that the portaloos in the church car park were 'much, much better than the ones at the festival'.

In total 600 leaflets were handed out to festival visitors, more than 240 hot meals served, plus countless teas, coffees, hot chocolates, cold drinks and refills of water bottles. The guests were welcomed by 10 volunteer helpers each day, and received everything for free.

One member of the Baptist Collaboration group was even able to direct his friend's daughter, whose food had been stolen from her tent, to the church after seeing the short film (below) posted by Xn editor Phil Creighton.

Many also attended a service on the Sunday, when the church's worship area was set out informally with tables and chairs in a café-style setting.

Led by Chris and Sally Hunter, it proved popular with the festival visitors, who munched beans on toast while participating in thought-provoking discussions about faith and whether they believed in God.




Church member Sue, who organised this year's hospitality, said, 'Everything exceeded far beyond my expectations and I really felt the the Lord's Spirit in our church over the past three days. The Sunday service was well received and enthusiastically entered into.

'Next year's Reading Festival dates are already in the diary and the helpers are looking forward to it.'