Latest news with #StMichaelsChurch


BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Vicar gets last minute Oasis tickets for son in 'mad miracle'
A vicar who missed out on tickets to see Oasis has said he made a "deal with God" so his heartbroken teenage son could see the band whose songs rocked him to sleep as a Huw Thomas, vicar of St Michael's Church in Flixton, Greater Manchester, and his son took a handmade sign with them to plead for help outside Heaton Park in a last-ditch attempt to watch the band on said: "I don't normally pray like this but I said to God if you get these tickets for me and my son I will give £200 to charity."His prayers were answered "in a totally mad way" when a passing fan decided to hand him tickets, he said. The vicar held up the notice to ask for help, and said several fans sympathised with his plight but could not help. "Some people were even giving me bottles of vodka and cans of beer," he said. Time was running out when one fan stopped to read the notice and said they had a family emergency and could not attend the gig, so offered him Thomas said: "As much as I tried to pay them they refused - I said 'I know you have a problem, but I think God was working in the way you thought of my son in the middle of your own crisis'." Mr Thomas had a further obstacle as the tickets were in the name of the person who bought after he pleaded at one checkpoint with a police officer and told a security guard at the next one about his son and the fact he was a vicar, he got to see the was poignant for Mr Thomas, who was widowed eight years ago, as both he and his late wife were big Oasis fans and shared this with their son."I think my wife was really looking over us," he said."We both thought it was brilliant - I've seen the band three times back in the day when there were fights breaking out."This time there was a different atmosphere and it was great to see people my age with their kids who were really into it." "I had my own guardian angels on Wednesday night." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Southend churches open doors after fatal tree collapse
Churches will be opening their doors for anyone grieving following the tragic death of a seven-year-old girl after part of a tree collapsed. Leonna Ruka, seven, was in Southend's Chalkwell Park on Saturday with her family when she was fatally injured. Her six-year-old cousin remains in a critical have been welcomed to St Mark's Church on Hamlet Road between 18:00 and 19:00 BST on church is open for a time of reflection, prayer and lighting of candles for anyone grieving or feeling troubled following the tragedy. St Michael's and All Angels Church on Leigh Road in Westcliff-on-Sea will also be opening on Thursday from 09:00 BST.A spokesperson for the church said: "We are desperately saddened to hear of the tragedy that occurred over the weekend in Chalkwell Park."Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the child that passed away and of those seriously injured. "We also send our love and support to those nearby who did all they could to help." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.