During the evening the children ate, played all sorts of games, watched TV, chatted, created materpieces at th arts and crafts table and generally had a wonderful time. At half past eleven we broadcast live from the church for 10 minutes onto BBC Thames Valley FM. At midnight we watched the London celebrations, had a non-alcoholic toast, set off party poppers and blowers and then watches a fireworks spectacular of our own at the back of the church.
The church buildings were completely transformed for Bladon Junior Church's Millennium Party and Sleepover. The schoolroom had an eating area where we sat for our evening meal and breakfast; an arts and craft area where we made millennium boxes (full of sweets) and year 2000 calenders; a play area with blackboard and giant bricks and video area where a number of children's films were showing. The church vestibule was a games room with tables with lots of board games and an air soccer pitch. The church itself was a soft area with cushions, beanbags, comfy chairs and a sleeping area. in the church we also had a snooker table and a large TV tuned to BBC1 showing celebrations around the world.
When things had calmed down we settled down to sleep, after the obligatory midnight feast. Surprisingly the boys went to sleep first whereas the girls giggled for most of the night! The smallest person snored continously throughout the night, which didn't disturb the other children but kept the helpers awake! Despite claims of being awake all night the children did not appear for breakfast until 9am where large quantities of cereal and toast were consumed.
Everyone who attended really enjoyed themselves and agreed that this was a truly fantastic way to see in the new millennium and some of the younger ones even asked to stay another night! Many thanks to all our adult helpers - Hugo, Carol and Annie and also to Stuart and Susan for transforming the church back to its original state ready for Sunday's service.
