On Tuesday 3rd February 2009 Isle of Wight Street Pastors held its first Recruitment evening in Newport and, despite the snow and cold, over 90 people attended. There was representation from the Police, County Council, Environment & Neighbourhoods Officers, Community Safety Services and Christians from a wide range of denominations. It was a very successful evening with strong statements of endorsement from Chief Superintendent Thomas, Councillor Alan Wells and Archdeacon Caroline Baston.
Many people volunteered to be Street Pastors or Prayer Pastors and others expressed support for the scheme in different ways. David Ouston the SP Co-ordinator, who led the evening said that he was delighted with the response and everything is now in place to continue with, interviews, training and a launch onto the streets by May of this year.
