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CORRESPONDENCE
Martin Lawson
Rosemary and family would like to say a sincere thank you for all the wonderful letters, cards of condolence and kind words about Martin after his sudden death which was so unexpected. We were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people both at the funeral and those who have given such kindness and support to us in our hours of sadness.
Thanks also to the Reverend Nicholas Maddock, Doctor King and Keith Britton and Son for all their help and comfort during our difficult time. Donations have been sent to British Heart Foundation and The Royal British Legion, and for this we thank you too.
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The Revd John Channing Abdy 1938 - 2011
John Abdy died in November 2011 at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. It is a hugely sad loss, clearly for Sheila, Danny, Nick, Karen and Clare - but also for a host of other people who felt very real affection and regard for this wonderful man. The Revd Cathy Horder, who was John's first curate in the former benefice of Churchill, Sandford, Langford and Burrington, gave a moving
appreciation of his life at his recent funeral at Holy Trinity - and with her permission, I quote parts of it below.
John was an only child, born into a musical family. His love of music endured, he had a beautiful voice and he played the cello in his young days. At school at Lancing College, he was inspired by a visit of Bishop Trevor Huddleston who had spent so much effort in his anti-apartheid work in South Africa.
John read theology at Nottingham University and attended Cuddesdon Theological College. There the principal was Robert Runcie, future Archbishop of Canterbury, who later married him and Sheila.
After two curacies, he became vicar successively of King's Walden in Hertfordshire, South Woodham Ferrers in the Chelmsford Diocese, and St Peter's in the Forest in Walthamstow, and from there to his final appointment in our local four parishes. John took pains to balance the needs and differing churchmanship of each church and was always the enabler, rather than wishing to control church affairs himself.
His musical talents came to the fore with the setting up, together with Jeremy Martin, of the Trinity Singers. They sang at the funeral service.
But what of the man? Cathy mentioned "Faith, hope and love. John had them all". Many of us can bear personal testimony to this. "A true priest and a good friend". Yes, without any doubt.
No great administrator and always seemingly accompanied by endless bits of paper (!), his enormous strengths were elsewhere. He had time and a genuine interest in everyone, whether church people or not, never sparing himself in the service of those in need. He was much loved for these gifts, for his sense of humour, innate humility and gentle wisdom.
I end where I began. John Abdy was a wonderful man - we have been very fortunate to have had him as our priest. We send our very best wishes to Sheila and their family, of whom John was so proud.
Nicholas Hooper
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Dorothy Overington
Dorothy died on the morning of New Year's Eve, after a long period of investigations. She had been taken into hospital not long before, and her husband Ian, and their children Ann, Martin and Caryl had been taking it in turns to sit with her. Ian was due to
return to take over again when Ann came back to tell him the sad news.
Ian and Dorothy came to live in Wrington over 40 years ago, and lived in Priory House opposite the church lychgate. Behind that wall on the right as you begin to walk down Church Walk, Ian had created an outstanding garden, of which they were both justly proud.
Dorothy was WI Vice-president in 1981 and President 1982 and 1983. She regularly prepared food for what was then still called the WI Market. With others, she was a volunteer 'trolly-dolly' on the wards of Winford Hospital.
Both she and her mother, Mrs Annie Hardy, were faithful members of All Saints' Church choir at a time when it still had enough members to sing special items for festivals, and at morning and evening services every Sunday. Ian took over as choirmaster
from the Revd Hugo Charles and maintained the standard of singing until he and Dorothy moved to Eastbourne to be nearer their family 12 years ago.
One tangible reminder of Dorothy's love of, and devotion to the church remains in the shape of an altar hanging in the Lady Chapel, donated in memory of her mother.
Ian was a leading authority on aspects of human vision, and Dorothy meticulously typed all his books, papers and lectures for his frequent trips abroad to conferences. She also worked as a personal secretary at Barley Wood when it was the headquarters of the HAT group.
Ian and Dorothy were Yorkshire born and bred, and perhaps one minor claim to fame in her early working life was that she waited each morning to travel to work at the bus stop outside the café featured in the BBCTV series, The Last of the Summer Wine !
They tried to make it back to Wrington in the course of their annual holiday every year. The last time was only towards the end of 2011. They both sat in their old places in the choir, and Dorothy confided afterwards that "it had just been like coming home." Requiescat in pace.
Richard Thorn
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Christmas Shoe Box appeal
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Christmas Shoe Box appeal. Because of your support in wrapping, packing and sending gift-filled shoeboxes, over a million children overseas have known what it means to receive a present given in love.
79 boxes were sent from the village and I am very grateful to Sue Cross at New Image for promoting and receiving many of the boxes. This Christmas all the boxes from North Somerset went to Belarus and contributed to give 259,170 welcome gifts to some very needy children. You can read more if you look at the website <http://operationchristmaschild.org.uk/Belarus>
Jenny Berry
on behalf of Wrington Chapel
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Calcutta Charity Work Trip
We are three teenage girls from Wrington who are planning to go to Calcutta, India, for two weeks in July to work for the charity Good News Children's Education Mission. We will be helping in the slums, at the charity's baby care centres, in their mobile
schools, homes and churches, and we can't wait to go.
David Jewell, a beloved former Wringtonian, will be leading the trip, and we will be going with several others from his new church in Callington.
However, to do so, the three of us need to raise £3,000 between us. And that's where we could really use your help...
We will be holding a table-top sale on Saturday 4 February at Wrington Scout Hall from 9am - 12.30pm. It's £10 a table (Call Martha on 863900 to book yours) and there will also be refreshments, crafts and hair braiding available. Donations to sell would also be much appreciated (Call Georgie on 862649).
On Monday 20 February we will be holding a benefit concert at Wrington Chapel, again with all proceeds helping to fund our trip. Doors open at 7pm, for tickets call Georgie on 862649.
We are also planning several more big fundraisers before we start our ‘A’ Levels in May, so please check our website for the latest information: <www.threegirlstwoweeksonemission.blogspot.com>
Thank you, we hope to see you soon.
Georgie, Martha and Jas.
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New Philosophy Discussion Group
This recently established group meets every one or two months and invites anyone interested to join. Meetings are open to all interested people, and topics range from specific philosophers and philosophic ideas to much broader intellectual concerns. So far, we have had two meetings - one about the work of John Locke, and one preliminary discussion on how much we can know about reality.
The speaker for the first meeting was a professional philosopher. The member of the Group who led the second is a physicist, and we plan to have a variety of speakers and discussion leaders for future meetings.
If you come, you can just sit and listen if you like, or you can join in the discussion if you wish. A prior knowledge of philosophy is not necessary, but if you enjoy lively debate in a friendly atmosphere then you will enjoy these meetings.
The format of the meetings, so far, is that we meet at 7pm, the speaker/discussion leader speaks for one half to one hour, we then have a break for wine and cheese, and continue afterwards with questions and discussion until 9.30pm.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 22 February in Langford and will be the main one on: ‘How much we can know about
reality’. If you would like to come, please email: <margaret.bone@btinternet.com>
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2000-mile Cycle Challenge
As many readers of the Journal will know, this Summer my brother Jonathan and I cycled over 2000 miles through Canada and Alaska to raise money for the Weston Hospicecare and Cancer research. It was the most difficult challenge we have ever attempted. But, after two months of cycling, three time zones, four mountain ranges, forty two bears, one wolf and two serious
cases of saddle soreness, we completed our journey.
We raised £1330, which was fantastic, and we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you so much to everyone who helped us and donated to the cause. We don't feel we could have completed this epic challenge without you.
For more information on our trip please visit our blog at <Cyclecanadaforcharity@blogspot.com>
Tom Wood
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Spring Fête Monday 7 May
Please contact Jeremy Birkett on 01934 863146 if you are interested having a stall at our Spring Fête. We have already had a good take up, but we would love this to be bigger and better than last time.
Watch out for more in future Village Journals. Something for everyone, something for you. Part of Wrington Fair Week 5-13 May
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