Ten is a number I have always been fond of—perhaps because I was born on the tenth of October. In the Bible, ten often symbolises completeness, order, and responsibility. Today, it’s responsibility I want to reflect on.
This October, The Vine will celebrate holding the responsibility for running Cherry Willingham Library and Community Hub for ten years. Back in 2016, thirty libraries across Lincolnshire were handed over to local volunteers. It wasn’t a decision that everyone welcomed at the time, yet here in our village it has proved to be a blessing. Over the past decade, dedicated volunteers from across the community have delivered around 1,470 library sessions. The Vine Centre has always been more than a library, and the library more than just books. Thanks to the hard work of many, it has become a true community hub. From facilitating the return of Post Office services (even if only for one afternoon each week), to providing space for choirs, the “Third Tuesday Book Club,” the Parish Council’s Christmas tree lighting events & ‘Produce shows’ plus countless meetings—the building has become a home for village life – a hub for the community.
Assist, our local wellbeing organisation, has run over 485 group sessions here, supporting those living with dementia and offering one-to-one help to more than 1,000 people. The building itself has been transformed: recarpeted, remodelled, and redecorated. New computers, free Wi-Fi, and the ability to print from home or mobile devices have been added. And there’s more to come, with new disabled-friendly toilets currently in the pipeline (pun intended!). As a church, we too have made full use of the space, running more than 100 “TST” sessions for primary-age children, 138 “TTT” youth drop-ins, delivering school uniform to over 60 families and holding around 500 worship services. The Vine’s ethos is simple: serving, worshipping, and living at the heart of the community. The hub fits that vision beautifully, providing services from the very centre of village life.
So, ten really is our number this year. Alongside celebrating ten years of the library, The Vine is also hosting just10, a series exploring the Ten Commandments: What do these ancient words mean for us today? Think of it less like a sermon and more like a café-style discussion with refreshments before and after, time for conversation, space to reflect, and practical teaching that connects timeless wisdom with everyday life. Each week stands alone, so whether you come once or all ten times, you’ll be welcome. Each Sunday 11:00am It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a Christian for years, are just curious, or wouldn’t describe yourself as religious at all—this is for you. If you’ve never stepped inside the Vine Centre or used the library, this might be the perfect opportunity to discover what goes on here. We would love to welcome you.