Club brings together church and business

FOR centuries, Holy Trinity church has provided a spiritual refuge in the heart of Leeds.

Tomorrow, a new not-for-profit business club – Trinity Club Leeds – will open, with the aim of attracting support from leading players in the local corporate community. It shows the sacred and secular can work together.

The club, in Boar Lane, occupies premises owned by Holy Trinity Church next door, and its rector, the Reverend Tony Bundock, will be club president.

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The Nurture Cafe, which is beneath the new club, will be available for refreshments and light lunches. Three of the four cafe employees are volunteers, who were former clients of the homeless charity, St George’s Crypt.

The club’s founder, Canon Keith Madeley, said: “The club offers a city centre meeting and networking place for Leeds business people. We are delighted by the support we have already received from businesses including Land Securities, H A Fox Jaguar and Yorkshire Bank.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, added: “I welcome the opening of Trinity Club Leeds and applaud the support that the business community is giving to the work of local churches and charities.

“This active partnership between church and business in a local community is a great example that I hope others will follow.”

Tackling prejudice

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HOMOPHOBIA still plagues British society, but Diary was heartened to discover that Benenden Health, the York-based mutual, is doing its bit to kick it out of football.

No responsible employer would tolerate discrimination in the workplace, so why should it be acceptable on the football pitch? York City’s home game against Southend United last Saturday marked the club’s first ever Football v Homophobia match.

Leading figures from Benenden were out in force to show their support. York City is one of 25 Football League clubs that have made a commitment to tackle the issue of homophobia in football. The club donated 100 tickets for the match to York Pride, and also invited members of the Yorkshire Terriers, one of the UK’s first gay-friendly teams.

Paul Keenan, head of communications at Benenden, said: “The Football v Homophobia initiative is hugely important and as sponsors of both York City and York Pride we are delighted that the club is taking a stand against homophobia.”

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Julian Rudd, York Pride press and marketing officer, said: “Our country has changed significantly in terms of the legal rights given to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – but it still takes some time for society to catch up.

“In York it is still commonplace for gay people to be attacked and abused because of their sexuality, to be bullied at school, to hide their sexuality at work or with their family for fear of rejection or being picked on – and to feel like they are not welcome when it comes to playing and watching sport. Our relationship with York City started last year and has continued and strengthened.”

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