I spent the morning in church – a black Christian Church celebrating its first anniversary of coming to Wood Green. Housed in the old Gaumont Cinema – now called the Dominion Centre – it hosts a thriving and growing community, a bookshop and many community activities.

As I walked in to a giant congregation (with that wonderful salutary experience of being the only white person amongst around three or four hundred black people) Reverend Sam was preaching. And in the best style of preachers a la Jesse Jackson – he was absolutely compelling, riveting.

Then there was the singing, the wrap, the performances by the children. The warmth of the community wrapped itself around me. And when I addressed the congregation – they were incredibly supportive and warm. This church is doing good work. The level of caring about each other – and particularly the youngsters in their community – is what will make their future avoid the desperate culture of knives and guns which blight and sometimes end entire lives.

And I did a bit of dancing too – impossible to keep still with the music. I really enjoyed the whole service – and was incredibly impressed with the whole morning.