LAST week the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset visited a faith and spiritual centre near Radstock.

On Thursday 23 March, Mohammed Saddiq visited the Ammerdown Centre, to mark its 50th anniversary year.

The centre was delighted to welcome the Lord Lieutenant, Mr Saddiq, who was welcomed to the Centre by the Chair of Trustees, Rev Dr Stuart Burgess. They were then joined by the Lead Manager, Christine Clinch and Deputy Manager, Debbie Tutchell for a tour of the Centre.

During the tour of the Ammerdown Centre, which has five conference rooms, 35 en suite bedrooms, a library, Chapel, labyrinth and beautiful garden, Mr Saddiq heard about the history of the centre, set up 50 years ago as a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, welcoming people of all faiths and none, and continuing to welcome people of difference.

The centre offers courses in spirituality, well-being and creativity, as well as offering hospitality to external groups to run their own courses and retreats.

Mr Saddiq met Ammerdown partners from the RUH Chaplaincy; the Bath Interfaith Group; the Ukraine refugee community, and a course facilitator from the Oxford University Centre for Religion and Culture and heard about the Centre’s work in social justice, interfaith, the environment, diversity and inclusion.

The visit finished with a homemade meal from the Ammerdown kitchen.