A service of celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of Trinity Hospice was held at St John’s Church Blackpool.

Around 150 staff, former staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters attended a service led by Rt Rev Geoff Pearson, Suffragan Bishop of Blackburn and Rt Rev Michael Campbell, Bishop of Lancaster. Also contributing were the Fylde Coast Hindu Society and Imam Ashfaq Patel from Blackpool Central Mosque.

Hospice President Mr Jimmy Armfield was present, as were the three matrons to serve Trinity during its 30 year history – Julie Huttley, Kath Burn and Beryl Head.

It was a service of contemplation and celebration, using the theme ‘Standing on Holy Ground’. The Trinity Hospice choir led the rousing singing, and a film showing Trinity’s past, present and future was shown. There were also displays of memorabilia, and hospice nurses gave each member of the congregation a bag of flower seeds, to tie in with the theme of the service and the Parable of the Sower.

Trinity Hospice Chief Executive David Houston welcomed the congregation and Medical Director Dr Susan Salt also spoke about the challenges facing the hospice in the years ahead.

Local MPs Gordon Marsden and Paul Maynard were among the guests for the event, which combined reflection on the past with a commitment to ensuring the future of the hospice, which serves the entire Fylde Coast but relies on voluntary contributions from the community to keep its doors open.

The service marked the end of a year of special events – both social and fundraising – to celebrate Trinity’s 30th anniversary.