St Dionysius Church Celebrates Five Years of Bringing a Community Together

Saturday 19 September | 12 noon – 4.00pm
Last flight: 3.45pm

This September, St Dionysius Church will once again be transformed into the much-loved British Bearways Bearport as we celebrate the fifth Teddy Zip Line.

When we first welcomed a few adventurous teddies into our church five years ago, none of us imagined quite how much joy it would bring. What began as a simple idea has grown into a wonderful community event, created through a partnership between St Dionysius Church and the Market Harborough C of E Academy PTFA, and now welcomes hundreds of families through our doors each year.

As Vicar of St Dionysius, I am continually reminded that a church is at its very best when it opens its doors to everyone. The Teddy Zip Line is far more than a fun afternoon out. It is a celebration of kindness, service and the remarkable generosity of our town.

It takes around 60 volunteers to transform our church into a bustling Bearport. Volunteers from both St Dionysius Church and the PTFA work alongside members of the Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, local businesses and many other individuals who generously give their time to create something truly special. It really is an example of what can happen when a community comes together.

Visitors won’t just be watching teddies fly from our church tower. Throughout the church they’ll discover local charities and community organisations making a real difference every day. This year we are delighted to welcome The Hygiene Bank, Dogz Dinner, The Bra Bank, Jubilee Foodbank and Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, alongside information supporting the Children’s Air Ambulance.

We hope families leave not only with smiles on their faces, but also having discovered some of the incredible work taking place across Market Harborough — and perhaps feeling inspired to support it themselves.

I am especially grateful to the many local businesses who continue to support the event each year. Their generosity, together with the enthusiasm of the church, PTFA and our wider team of volunteers, makes this day possible. It is a reminder that churches flourish when they work alongside their communities, and communities flourish when people choose to support one another.

The Teddy Zip Line has become one of those occasions where laughter echoes through the church, children create lasting memories, and people who may never usually step inside a church feel completely at home.

That, to me, is something worth celebrating.

Whether you’re returning for your fifth flight or visiting us for the very first time, we would love to welcome you.

Join us on Saturday 19 September, from 12 noon until 4.00pm, with the final teddy flight departing at 3.45pm.

Come and experience the warmth of St Dionysius, cheer on some very brave teddies, meet inspiring local charities and celebrate everything that makes our community so special.

Rev. Phil
Vicar, St Dionysius Church, Market Harborough