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The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

GreenPasturesCRTAward750
National award for Dereham Christian bookshop 

The Green Pastures Christian bookshop in Dereham has won a national award for providing boxes of Christian books to 21 local schools.

Green Pastures in Dereham is one of the very few Christian bookshops left in East Anglia. On October 13, managers Irene Humphrey and Helen Cockburn, together with three Trustees, were delighted to receive a national Community Impact Award at the Christian Resources Together event during the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Exhibition Centre in Surrey.
 
Irene said: “The award was the result of being able to provide boxes of selected Christian books for 21 local schools’ libraries through grants from the Speaking Volumes charity. Green Pastures processed the highest number of these grants in the UK in 2022. Speaking Volumes is an incredible scheme which means children of all ages have access to Christian literature - books full of love and hope! To receive the award at this point when so many bookshops are struggling, is such a privilege.”
 
Green Pastures is located a short walk off the High Street in Norwich Street, Dereham and Helen added: “People tell us that as they enter Green Pastures they feel a sense of peace - we hope so! We try to put books and gifts in the window which have messages of love and encouragement, as well as quotes from the Bible to help people and to make them think as they walk past. 
 
“As another important part of our ministry we provide bookstalls for coffee mornings, churches, and other events so that those who cannot come to the shop have the opportunity to buy Christian books, Bibles, cards and gifts. This is a great help leading up to Christmas. Do contact the shop if you would like a bookstall at a forthcoming event.
 
“Those who come through the shop doors soon discover that Green Pastures is so much more than just a bookshop. In the community space opening from the rear of the shop, our partners, Dereham Baptist Church and Love Dereham, host a weekday morning ‘Let’s Chat’ coffee time where anyone can pop in and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and find someone to talk to.
 
“Various clubs for our community, like Knit & Natter and Craft & Sewing, are also held regularly in that area. The biggest draw for many in Dereham is the Community Fridge which has been a real blessing for our community!  Together, we try to provide an atmosphere of love and encouragement for anyone who comes in.”
 
Irene said: “Green Pastures has been in Dereham for many years and has never previously won an award, so this was a very special recognition of the team’s dedication and hard work, for which we are immensely grateful.”
 
The shop is open from 9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. The staff are always ready to help customers with enquiries in the shop or over the phone (01362 697953) and purchases can be made online at: www.greenpasturesdereham.org.uk.
 
Read more about Green Pastures on Network Norfolk.
 
Pictured at the CRE awards presentation is, from the left, Paul Renouf from Speaking Volumes with Irene Humphrey, Helen Cockburn and trustees Sheila Knowles, Christine Dive and chair Lance Birks.
 


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