7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Here is a very brief breakdown of people that I interact with on a regular basis or almost regular basis. Remember the game “7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon”? Well it seems that everyone in Buxton is connected to everyone else in less than 3 degrees! I suppose that is a side-effect of small-town living. And I’m sure with the copious amounts of people I’ve met since my arrival this list has probably forgotten someone!

From the House:
Amy: Is the other YAGM volunteer that came over with me. She graduated in May from Gustavus with a degree in religion. She is from Minnesota. She works at Charis House doing admin, office duty, and family support.
Binod: Is the volunteer from Nepal. He works at the farm. He has been here since January and will return home in December. He is hoping to find a job teaching English when he returns home.
Tammy: Is from Canada. She came to England about 3 years ago as a volunteer for Charis House. She returned because she made great friends and fell in love with Matt S.
Sue: Works for GNFC doing recovery work. She is married to Mick and they have 2 children in their late 20’s.
Mick: Is a high school (equivalent) physics teacher and the pastor for Buxton Community Church. He is married to Sue and they have 2 children. His sister is Tammy’s mom.

From Charis House:
Maia: Is my supervisor. She is a support worker at Charis House as well as one of the leaders for Little Fishes. She is married to Matthew P. and they have a 9 month old daughter, Bethany.
Naomi: is Roger and Hazel’s youngest daughter. She recently turned 18 and is in her last year of school.
Lisa: Works in the GNFC Nursery as well as at the farm. She has an 11 year old daughter, Demi.
Jo: Is a community support worker. She also started at Charis House as a volunteer and has been there ever since. In January she will be moving to Sheffield to study mental health nursing. She will be missed very much.
Keith/Debbie: Are half of the management team for GNFC and live in a flat in Charis House. They have four children: Jack (20), Roy (18), Anna (14), and Megan (11).
Roger/Hazel: Are the other half of the management team. They live in another flat in Charis House. They have 4 children. Their oldest son lives in Brazil and their younger son lives in South Korea. Both daughters live in Buxton.

From Women’s Group:
Sandy: Is a music teacher. She and her husband have 4 daughters. The oldest is studying viola in Oslo. The next oldest is studying English/Drama at university. The 2 younger daughters still live at home. They are a very musical family, often contributing their talents during church. She is also the gracious host of women’s group each week.
Avril: Is a very active member of BCC.
Susan: Is a community support client. She has 2 sons who live with their father in a near-by town.
Julie: Is a community support client. She has a daughter and a son, two cats and a dog.
Barbara: Is a community support client. She has 5 children and 2 grandchildren.
Brenda: Has 4 sons. She is currently raising her 13 year old granddaughter, Katie.

From Church:
Andy/Emily: Are responsible for the youth activities for BCC. Andy is a professional poet and Emily is a school teacher. Andy is also the manager for the Buxton Christian Football (soccer) club. They have 2 daughters: Connie (15) and Beth (13). They are delightful girls.
Allister/Sarah: Also very active in BCC. They have 2 daughters. Sarah’s sister is Emily. Sarah is also a school teacher.
Tim/Beryl: Tim is a carpenter. Beryl teaches first grade (equivalent). Beryl is our designated “TFG friend” and a great cook. They don’t have any children, but have unofficially adopted Rachel (35) who has asthma and related illnesses.
Matthew: Just started going to BCC. He is a culinary student at the University of Derby. He is the second oldest of 11 children.
Michael/Beky: They have 2 children together, Josh (7) and Abbie (5) and Matthew S is Michael’s son from his first marriage. Beky is Roger and Hazel’s oldest daughter. Michael works with Tim and Beky is in charge of Good News Nursery

From Little Fishes:
Sarah: Is a leader of Little Fishes. She is married to James and they have 3 children, Eleanor (4), Gregor (2), and Samuel (10 months). Her mother is Mary W. from Charis House. She used to work at the GNFC Nursery and is now a stay-at-home mom.
Nicola: Is a leader of Little Fishes. She is married to Matt B. and they have a 7 month old son, Joel. She also used to work at GNFC Nursery.
Maia: Is a leader of Little Fishes. She is married to Matthew P. and they have a 9 month old daughter, Bethany.

From Youth Group:
Nigel/Chriss: Are co-leaders of the youth group at the Good News Church in Whaley Bridge. They have three children, Thom (22), Alex (18), and Lizie (20). They graciously host me every Friday for dinner.
Thom: Is a music teacher at the college level. He also helps at a fairtrade store in town as well as youth group on Fridays. He is Nigel and Chriss’ oldest son.
Rob: Helps with youth group. He works for the railways and is married to Cheryl and they have three sons aged, 4,3, and 2!

As you can see there is a lot of over-lapping in social circles.