Keswick Market Report
October 2025

Tom O'Donnell and Robert McGibbon

Regular readers will know how important the weather is to both the market and shows. The weather forecast was for rain, so a big anorak was needed. It was not really needed thankfully, as there was no rain until we were packing up to leave.

Our first visitors were from Australia but currently we’re working in London. They were in Keswick for the Two Peaks Challenge that is along with a hundred or so more. They were given tracts from the stall on athletics and we wished them every success.

Later another couple with two children from Gateshead arrived. The children really enjoyed the guessing box. The family belonged to an independent church which previously had been a Brethren Assembly but still followed the same format.

Next were a group from Haverigg who enjoyed using the guessing box. A lady stopped by to let us know that she was recovering from alcohol and drugs addiction for the past 18 months. She asked for prayer so Tom prayed for her right there on the street. She went away very happy. We were so glad to help her and trust the Lord will continue to work in her life.

Later there were four young men who were boarders at Keswick School. They were from Dubai, El Salvador, Zimbabwe and Cheshire. Tom enjoyed speaking to them for some time pointing them to the Saviour.

A group from Lesmahago arrived. They were staying at the Convention Centre. There were about ten adults and children but the group they were staying with was as many as 40. They were very good at the guessing box. Each one was given suitable literature.we pray that this time away from home will strengthen each one in their faith.

Next there was a lady from Warrington who had previously been in the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Definitely a candidate for Tom. Her story was so sad. After two of her sisters had left the J.W.s they committed suicide. Her husband also struggled for some time but now they are in a good church, receiving sound teaching and fellowship. They both confessed that only Jesus can forgive sin.

Keswick streets are always immaculately clean yet just about every group passing by has a dog with them. Those who venture close to the stall are given a tract entitled, ‘Man’s Best Friend’. Inside the tract are pictures of many breeds of dog and explains how to become a friend of the Lord Jesus who is even more faithful and loving.

The outstanding meeting of the day was with a couple on holiday from Jerusalem. Their two girls tried the guessing box. The younger one needed the mother to interpret for her. They knew a lot of the Bible. We told them how privileged they were to be born Jews like the Saviour and all the promises God had given to them. How good it would be to belong to the root of David, to speak the original language of the Old Testament to be able to understand more. So many materials on the stall seemed to be ‘just right’ for them. This was a good day for us sharing the gospel with so many from all around the world. They have come to Keswick for many different reasons but all are in need of God’s Salvation. Please remember this work during the winter months and the shows as well during the summer months.