Activities at the Gordano Valley Church (GVC) Cludo Club this summer

North Somerset young people enjoy activities thanks to decades-old church group

Paul JonesAugust 26, 20250 Comment0

YOUNG people have been enjoying a host of activities that have spanned the generations through the summer holidays.

The Gordano Valley Church (GVC), in North Somerset, once again ran the popular Cludo Club – a free holiday activity programme that’s been running for 39 years.

This year, the programme had a nautical theme – All Hands on Deck – running from July 29 to 31 at St Joseph’s Primary School.

Around 80 children attended, supported by 52 volunteers (including 12 teenagers), a spokesperson said the Cludo Club “was filled with laughter, crafts, games, stories, and shared memories”.

“Morning sessions included storytelling from the Bible, songs, sports, and themed activities in small groups,” they said. “Each afternoon, families gathered for picnic lunches and continued with team challenges, archery, ball games, music workshops, and more.”

Activities at the Gordano Valley Church (GVC) Cludo Club this summer

On the first day, GVC partnered with Martha’s Kitchen – which provides free, healthy breakfasts and crafts for children during the school holidays – to provide lunch for 175 children and parents.

Becky Gardner, lead organiser for Cludo Club, said: “We had a fun and energetic three days at Cludo this year with lots of engaging activities for children in the mornings and additional fun for families in the afternoons.

“The children particularly enjoyed the music, drama, craft and sports. It was great to see them making new friends and feeling supported by our volunteers.”

Meanwhile, families reunited on August 12 for the Cludo Swim at the Portishead Lido, and again on August 21 for Cludo Trains, where almost 60 families picnicked and enjoyed unlimited miniature train rides at Ashton Court, free of charge.

The events are organised and funded entirely by volunteers from Gordano Valley Church.

The group’s next event – Cludo Sunday – takes place on September 14, with a special edition of the church’s family service at Gordano School’s Main Hall starting with breakfast at 10.30am and finishing at noon, with music, stories, activities, and a welcoming atmosphere.