Hartlepool Town Pastors

23/08/2026

Tonight’s team were Terry, Alex, Helen Malcolm and Kim.

Alex was having his first stint as a trainee team leader. He could not have been expecting what we had to deal with. 20 past 4 before we got in tonight. It was a hard one.

Given what police officers were having to deal with in losing two of their fellow officers you would have hoped that Cleveland police had a quiet night.

Sadly that was not to be with a mass brawl in church street in the early hours. As if dealing with that was not enough, an hour or so later someone was assaulted and knocked unconscious.

The staff from H and Tipsy did a great job in starting CPR, and for only the second time in 13 years Terry from Town Pastors had to go and get the defibrillator from the station.

Thankfully we did not need to use it. Malcolm was preparing to possibly have to take over on CPR when police and ambulance turned up. Good effort from everyone. Prayers that S makes a full recovery and that all those who witnessed or helped are able to put tonight’s events behind them.

22/08/2026

Sometimes words are not enough. Two men put themselves in harms way to try to keep others safe. Rest in peace Matthew Blades and Tom Clough.

John 15:13 NIV - Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends

31/07/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/30/john-bailey-obituary?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Other lives: Journalist, press officer and trade union activist who became president of the National Union of Journalists

19/07/2026

Been an emotional week for Hartlepool Town Pastors. Current and former pastors were blessed to join the Bailey family as we said farewell to our much loved and respected former administrator John Bailey. Tributes poured in from around the country as the news of John’s death was received. A kind humble modest man with a heart for people John would have made a great town pastor on the streets. We never did get him in a Hi Viz coat! Instead he has been the glue that kept us on track, smoothing the way when we sometimes hit difficulties and constantly flying the flag for street angels projects across Tees Valley. He had a fantastic gift of always making everyone he met feel like they had his undivided attention and support. We are so grateful for the donations that were given in John’s memory to town pastors and we thank his family and friends for this.

We did manage to get John to walk the streets with us once. In the middle of Covid the team leaders and trustees put a “undercover” team out (no hi viz). We were looking at assessing how safe it would be for our volunteers. To our surprise John asked if he could join us on our bimbling.

We were delighted to be able to bring to life the notes of incidents that John had spent years collating for us.

Rest in Peace John.

05/07/2026

Funeral notice for John Bailey, our friend, adviser, diplomat and champion. “All loved with great expectations for their talent and happiness” Sums up perfectly his love and hope for his family.

28/06/2026

From the ROC street angels newsletter

20/06/2026

After a tough week for town pastors to process, we will have a team out tonight. Tonight’s team will be Terry H, Alex Kim and Helen. Stop us for a chat, lollipops , water , flip flops and more.

Last weeks team were Tracy Malcolm and Terry W. They seemed to have a run on first aid so we’re hoping for more fun and less blood.

Our prayers are with the Bailey family tonight. We will be entering into Fathers Day keenly aware of the loss of our own local hero and their beloved father John Bailey. Thank you John for all you have done for Hartlepool and the people of the North East. Rest in peace.