Church in anniversary celebration

As part of its Golden Jubilee, St Columba's Church in Laburnum Avenue, east Hull, is inviting couples who were married there or at St Andrew's Church in the same parish to join a celebration on May 16.

A series of events will culminate in a visit by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu on September 19.

Vicar Rev William Mather said: "It is a wonderful privilege and joy to share in the special wedding day of each couple.

"We look forward enormously to having as many couples as possible who have been married in our churches to come and celebrate their marriage in this jubilee year – whether they have been married for 50 years or 50 days."

Other events include a performance by the Credo Drama Group on April 17 at 7.30pm and a flower festival from July 16 to 18, which will include an organ recital on the first day at 7.30pm. The service on May 16 starts at 10.30am.

The church was bombed in 1943 and it was not until 17 years later, on September 17, 1960, that the current church building, incorporating parts of the walls and piers, was consecrated.