Vandal-free procession (From Stroud News and Journal)

Vandal-free procession

DESPITE the disruption to last year's Easter celebrations, when vandals turned the crucifix on Selsley Common into a hangman's gallows, committed Christians continued the tradition this Good Friday.

Members of the congregation of St Matthew's carried a heavy wooden cross from Cainscross to the top of Selsley Common in the annual Procession of Witness.

An once there they prayed it would be safe from vandals.

The cross was carried from St Matthew's Church to Selsley Church where a service took place, before being plated at the top of Selsley Common to remind those in the valley below of Christ's sacrifices.

Organiser the Rev David Sutch said: "It went well. By the time we got to All Saints', the number of people had gone up to about 60.

"It's the most important part of the Christian year. Because of the resurrection we have new life and as Christians we have to celebrate that."

Another throng of Christians also commemorated the crucifixion on Good Friday by carrying a cross through the centre of Stroud, known in church as the Procession of Witness.

The faithful took turns bearing the cross, which was taken from the Baptist Church in John Street to St Laurence's Church.