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Monthly Magazine
"The Grapevine"
JANUARY 2012
Editor: David Martin
Email: davidmartin@lynkserve.net
THE
RECTOR WRITES …
OUT
WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
My
dear friends
Ring
out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
Ring
out the old, ring in the new.
The
year is going, let him go
Our
own church bells have now fallen silent as work in the tower begins.
The eight bells are to be lowered and sent to the Whitechapel Bell
Foundry where three of them will be melted down and recast, whilst the other
five listed middle bells will be quarter-turned so that the clappers strike
against a different surface of the bell. Whilst
the bells are away, a new, steel frame will be inserted into the tower to
receive the bells on their return. The
work is expected to take four or five months.
Because
our church bells will not be ringing out the old year and ringing in the new
year in a literal sense, we will have to perform the task in our mind’s eye.
What have we got to be joyful about the year that has just past?
A great deal, I think.
During
2011 we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the rebuilding of the
parish church by Archdeacon Sandford and architect William Butterfield.
A plethora of special events and celebrations marked the year.
Do you remember the Wedding Dress Ball held in February when a bevy of
beautiful brides appeared in their wedding dresses and danced the night away?
Or the Jazz Night in April when a capacity audience in The Ark rocked to
the sounds of Richard Leach and his Jazzmen?
Other memorable concerts were given by Blackheart, members of the City of
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (September) and a Tea Concert in June.
In
June there was the Victorian Garden Party in the Rectory garden. Sepia
photographs of this happy event can still be seen on the church website.
Perhaps
the most innovative event of the year was the Bible Reading Marathon, when, over
the space of 72 hours, from 14 – 19 March, the whole Bible was publicly read
in church. People of all ages took
part, and such was the interest amongst pupils at the village schools that each
child was given his or her own Bible.
The
Flower Festival in May was outstanding, with the parish church decked with
magnificent floral arrangements by a large number of village organisations and
societies. Something of the
splendour of the occasion was captured and turned into a Calendar for 2012,
which quickly sold out.
Add
to all of this, the Great Train Exhibition in July and the Old Tyme Music Hall
in November and it will be seen we certainly celebrated the 150th
Anniversary of the rebuilding of the parish church in multifarious style.
So
much for the old. But what of the
new? What are we ringing in for the
New Year? What is our hope and prayer for 2012?
Most people would probably place peace and security at the top of their
wish list, I guess.
Both
are freely available, as Minnie Louise Haskins knew when she wrote, “I said to
the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread
safely into the unknown.’ And he
replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’
With
all best wishes
Yours in Christ
DAVID
MARTIN
A
New Year Stroll
The
next footpath walk organised by Alvechurch Village Society is SUNDAY 8TH
JANUARY 2012 - the second Sunday in the month.
Entitled A New Year Stroll Around Alvechurch, the walk will be led be
Charlie Simmonds. He can be contacted on 0121 445 3447. The meeting point is
Tanyard Lane Car Park for a 2.30pm start.
A
Bit More Common Sense
Bessy
Bessant tells of her special Christmas treat.
Well,
my dears, I hope you had a happy Christmas and lots of nice presents.
I
was at a bit of a loose end. Now
that Percy has gone, I wasn’t looking forward to sitting down to a slice of
Bernard Matthews’ pressed turkey and a Mr Kipling mince-pie on my own, and so
I thought I’d treat myself.
I
heard there was a Christmas Lunch served in the Ark on the first two Thursdays
in December, and so I decided to give myself a treat. I went to both of them.
You should have seen the crowds! Fifty-eight
people at the first one and seventy-two at the second.
The nice staff found me a place on a table with lots of other jolly folk.
We pulled crackers and put on party hats.
My cracker had a joke in it. “What
petrol do fish use?” Answer: Shell. We laughed, even though it was a poor joke.
My Percy used to tell much better one‘s than that.
Just
as we were about to start the meal, the Rector appeared and came and sat next to
me. He’s such a nice man.
I do like men in black suits. I
used to say to my Percy, ‘Why don’t you smarten up?’ But he always
insisted on wearing his baggy pullover and carpet slippers with the toes out of
them.
The
smell of the cooking really made me drool.
If I’ve got a little weakness – and I’m not saying that I have –
it’s for roast turkey, pigs-in-blankets, apricot stuffing, bread sauce,
sprouts, French beans, carrots, mashed potato, roast potato and parsnips with
lashings of gravy. Well, I was in
my seventh heaven as those nice ladies in the kitchen piled my plate high. How I enjoyed myself!
Then
I spotted the Rector had missed out on the stuffing, and so I called out to one
of the waiters, ‘The Rector wants stuffing.’ A terrible silence fell over
the hall and a la-de-da man with a moustache and a posh voice gave me such a
withering look! But I wasn’t
ruffled. I raised my wine glass and
wished him a very happy Christmas.
I
was spoilt for choice when it came to the puddings. The waiter said there was Christmas Pudding with Brandy
Sauce, Apricot Pavlova, Sherry Trifle and Chocolate Mousse. I replied, ‘Yes, please.’
Just my little joke!
Next
came the cheese and biscuits followed by coffee and mints.
I
was well and truly stuffed by the end of the meal, I can tell you.
I
even went home with a present – a bottle of Hardy’s Chardonnay that I won in
the raffle and which I drank on Christmas Day.
I don’t remember much else about Christmas, but I shall always remember
the Christmas Lunch I had in The Ark Café.
I’m
now waiting for the Café to re-open on Thursday 12 January so I can give myself
another treat!
BE
SAFE, BE SECURE!
The
Local Policing Team offers practical advice on how to help protect yourself and
your family, including how to safeguard your property and help build a safer
community. This month they offer help on General
Home Security
For
more information or any advice, please contact your Local Policing Team.
Alternatively contact CSO 6715 HYDER at Wythall Police Station. You can find out
who your LPT is by visiting our website: http://www.westmercia.police.uk/localpolicing/
What’s
in a name?
Margaret Gardner tells of a
very enjoyable pub-crawl conducted in the comfort of Alvechurch Museum.
Our
speaker for December, Mr Churchly, came at short notice as our booked speaker
was unwell. He told us about The History of Pub Names. He said the oldest
Pub still existing was Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem that dated back to the
Crusades. The earliest Pubs were usually the front room of a house where there
would be a large jug of beer on a table and people went in and filled up their
tankards. A picture of Vines or Bushes would be displayed on the
door to let people know that ale was available because ordinary folk could not
read.
As
events took place in England, Inn names changed. Mr Churchly illustrated
his talk with lovely slides of local Inns, some in use, others turned into
lovely houses. The most popular pub name today is The Crown closely
followed by The Red Lion. It was a most enjoyable meeting.
Please
remember there isn't a meeting in January. Our meeting on 6th February is the
Annual General Meeting. This
doesn't take long and so we are having a Members Evening as well, when we
bring treasured items from home and tell why they are treasured and the history
of them, if known.
I
hope you all had a very enjoyable Christmas and that the New Year will be a
better one than predicted.
Margaret
Gardner (0121 445 1649)
New
Year’s Day
This
year, New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. There
will be four services in St Laurence Church to welcome in the New Year and ask
for God’s blessing on that is undertaken during the year ahead.
The
New Year’s Day Services are :
Holy
Communion from The Book of Common Prayer at 8.00.am.
This lasts approximately thirty minutes.
A
Family Communion Service at 9.30.am
A
sung Parish Eucharist at 11.00.am.
And
Sung Evensong at 6.00.pm.
Alvechurch
Morris Men are performing their New Year’s Day Mummers’ Play at The Crown,
Withybed Green, at 12.30.pm. Well-known
characters such as Sweet Moll of Flanders, the Red Baron and good St George will
re-enact the yearly ritual of good overcoming evil and life overcoming death.
Thoroughly recommended.
The
Epiphany
The
twelfth day after Christmas – 6 January – is celebrated as The Feast of the
Epiphany, when the wise men worshipped the Christ-Child, thus becoming the first
non-Jewish people to do so.
The
Feast is celebrated in St Laurence Church at 7.00.pm on FRIDAY 6 JANUARY with a
service that includes gold, frankincense and myrrh taken in procession to the
Christmas Crib. Well-known Epiphany
hymns will be sung.
Then
follows feasting of another kind. Worshippers
are invited to a meal in The Red Lion.
If you wish to come, please sign your name on the notice in the church
porch so a reservation can be made. Those
feasting can choose what they wish to eat from The Red Lion’s extensive
menu.
Saying
Thank You
Those
who have been baptized, whether as infants or adults, have an opportunity to say
thank you for their membership of Christ’s body, at a special service on
SUNDAY 8 JANUARY.
The
Thanksgiving for Baptism Service is at 9.30.am in St Laurence Church. Photographs of those baptized in recent years at the church
font will be on display and there will be well-known hymns and worship songs,
with percussion instruments for the children to play. The speaker at the service will be Sue Phillips.
A
warm welcome is extended to all who have been baptized who wish to say thank you
for the great privilege of being part of Christ’s Body on earth.
Curling
The
ancient wee game o’ curling is coming to the sassenachs of bonny Alvechurch
courtesy of the kirk and chapel, hoch aye!
A
rare chance to try your hand at the sport of curling is offered on SATURDAY 21
JANUARY at a special get-together in The Ark organised by Churches Together in
Alvechurch and Rowney Green (CTARG). Using
specially adapted “stones” the floor of the Ark will be transformed into an
ice rink and teams of Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists and Catholics will do
battle to see who can hit the jack whilst annihilating their opponents’
stones. The cause of church unity
could well be set back decades.
In
order to keep the cost of the event to £5 for adults and £2.50 for children,
the food will be a Bring and Share Meal. There
will be a Licensed Bar to slate the most ferocious thirst.
Tickets
are available from Felicity Rixon (0121 445 2371), Elizabeth Richmond (0121 445
3569), Fiona Lee (0121 447 7369) and David
Martin (0121 445 1087).
A
New Chairman
The
new Chairman of Churches Together in Alvechurch and Rowney Green for 2012 is the
Reverend Barrie Cooke, the Methodist minister in charge of Rowney Green Shared
Church.
He
will be welcomed into office by the out-going chairman, Fr. Eddie Clare, at a
special service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on SUNDAY 22
JANUARY. The service is in Rowney
Green Shared Church at 6.30.pm.
Rowney
Green Shared Church is a good example of the partnership that exists between two
different Christian denominations – Anglicans and Methodists. When the Anglican chapel in Rowney Green closed in the
nineteen-seventies, the congregation of the Methodist church in Chapel Lane
extended an invitation to Anglicans to use their premises.
So began a long and enriching sharing arrangement that has led to the two
congregations becoming a Local Ecumenical Project.
With
the example of Rowney Green Shared Church as an inspiration, CTARG looks forward
to an exciting year ahead under the chairmanship of the Revd Barrie Cooke.
Winter
Warmers
The
Ark Café re-opens on THURSDAY 12 JANUARY after the Christmas break.
Old-fashioned Cottage Pie, just like mother use to make it, plus Apple
Crumble and another desserts, are the winter warmers on offer.
The
Café continues on 19 January, 26 January, 2 February and 9 February with a
selection of Gammon, Chicken, Roast Lamb and Pot Roasted Beef plus a rotation of
homemade desserts. Yummy!
Why
not give yourself a treat and dine at The Ark Café on one of the above
Thursdays?
PRAYERS
FOR USE DURING
WEEK
OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2012
WEDNESDAY
18 JANUARY
Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles,
'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you':
look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church
and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;
where you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
THURSDAY
19 JANUARY
Heavenly Father, you have taught us to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace:
forgive our complacency with the present divisions in your Church.
Break down the barriers of pride and misunderstanding which keep us and fellow Christians apart.
Make us more humble and deepen our love for one another;
and show us how we can more closely worship and work together
as members of the one Body of Christ our Lord.
FRIDAY
20 JANUARY
Heavenly Father,
in whose eyes your Church is one in spite of human prejudice and sin:
give to us your servants
such penitence for our divisions,
such love for one another,
and such devotion to your service,
that we my find again our unity
in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
SATURDAY
21 JANUARY
O God our Father,
bless your Church with unity, peace and concord.
Make her here and all over the world a true fellowship of the Spirit,
in which no distinction is made because of race or colour, party or class:
a fellowship of love in which all are really one in Christ.
We ask it in his name, who is our one Lord.
SUNDAY
22 JANUARY
O God, whose will it is that all your
children should be one in Christ:
we pray for the unity of your Church.
Pardon all our pride and our lack of faith,
of understanding and of charity,
which are the causes of our divisions.
Deliver us from our narrow-mindedness,
from our bitterness,
from our prejudices.
Save us from considering as normal that which is a scandal to the world and an offence to your love.
Teach us to recognise the gifts of your grace among those who call upon you and confess the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord.
MONDAY
23 JANUARY
Lord Jesus, the day before you died for us, you prayed that your disciples might be one as you are one with the Father.
Help us, divided as we are, to grieve for our unfaithfulness.
Give us the honesty to acknowledge and the courage to reject our apathy, our mistrust, and our intolerance.
Make us one in heart and mind,
that being bound together in true fellowship
we may present a united witness to the world,
according to your will
and for the glory of your name.
TUESDAY
24 JANUARY
Heavenly Father,
you have called us in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ
to continue his work of reconciliation
and reveal you to the world:
forgive us the sins which tear us apart;
give us the courage to overcome our fears
and to seek that unity which is your gift and your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Death of a Former Rector
The former Rector of Alvechurch, Canon Alan Richard Hayward, died on 28 November 2011 in Hereford Hospital at the age of 86. He was Rector of Alvechurch from 1985 to 1991.
Born in Stourbridge on 18 March 1925 he was educated at King Edward’s Grammar School, Stourbridge and attended St Mary’s Church Oldswinford where he learnt to play the organ. At the age of seventeen he joined the Bristol University Air Squadron and was posted to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Here he trained as a pilot officer and navigator. In 1945 he was sent to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and then to Deli in the Forces Legal Service. His fondness for his Air Force days lasted all his life and he subsequently served as an honorary chaplain to the Air Flying Corps in Lye and Stourbridge and also with the Royal British Legion.
Upon leaving the Air Force, he trained as a teacher and eventually became Headmaster of Thornbury School, Gloucestershire.
In 1954 he enrolled at Wycliffe Hall Oxford to train for the Church of England’s Ministry. He was made a deacon in 1956 and went to St Francis Church Dudley as a curate. This parish included the notorious Wren’s Nest Council Estate. The following year he was ordained a priest in Worcester Cathedral.
In 1959 he moved to St Andrew’s Church Wollescote as Priest-in-charge of a Conventional District. When St Andrews was made into a parish he became the first vicar. He served 25 years as Vicar of Wollescote, in the midst of a large post-war housing estate. He oversaw the building of a new church, church hall and vicarage. He was active with the Sunday School, Choir and organised young people’s trips to the Welsh coast, Belgium and Austria. He introduced a Parish Eucharist and was gratified to see the number of worshippers increase.
He was one of the first to be awarded a degree from the Open University. He gained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 at the age of 47. He was appointed Warden of Readers by the Bishop of Worcester – a post that entailed the training of lay people for preaching and the conduct of worship. He was made an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral in 1985.
In 1985, at the age of 59, he moved to Alvechurch. Here he established a new Family Service, drawing on the talents and skills of parishioners to produce a contemporary form of worship. He retired in 1991 at the age of 65. He said he could not have asked for a better parish in which to end his ministry, because of the vibrancy and support he received here.
He made his retirement home in Romsley. In the latter years of his life he attended the Thursday morning Holy Communion Service at St Mary’s Oldswinford, thus bringing his life full circle to where it had begun.
He will be remembered as a gentle, gracious man who had a mischievous sense of humour. Beneath a quiet exterior was a man of great inner strength and faith.
His funeral was held at St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford on Monday 12 December. The hymns were the ones he had chosen for the occasion: O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, I vow to thee my country and Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.
Tributes were paid by his cousin, Martin Jeynes, and by Roy Peacock, a former Lay Reader of Wollescote. The former Vicar of Oldswinford, Canon Greville Cross, gave an Address in which he linked Jesus’ call of the fishermen (Luke 5) and Jesus’ words “You did not choose me, I chose you” with Alan’s response to the call that came to him.
If any readers of The Grapevine have their own memories or stories of Alan Hayward during his six years in Alvechurch, please pass them to the Editor in order that a selection can be printed in the February Grapevine.
CHRISTMAS THANKS
So much special work and effort, by so many people, went into celebrating Christmas at St Laurence Church this year. Thanks go to …
… MIKE FLETCHER and GRAHAM CLARK for battling against the elements to erect the illuminated stars on the church tower.
… DAVID RICHMOND and the members of the church choir for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
… to COLIN BENNETT for the gift of the Christmas Tree in the church and PHILIP MICHELL for the Christmas Tree in The Ark.
… to MIKE FLETCHER, GRAHAM CLARK, ANDY HUMPHRIES, CHARLIE BOINTON and PHIL BURGESS who wrestled to erect the enormous Christmas Tree in the church, and to the bevy of ladies who decorated it.
… to the CAST of the CHRISTMAS EVE PLAY, to JANET WRIGHT for the costumes, and to LYNDA BILL of the Lyntone School of Dancing, for the choreography.
…. to DONALD WRAPSON and the CORYDON PLAYERS for their Carol Singing in the residential and nursing homes of the parish.
… to COLIN BENNETT and the marvellous team of BELLRINGERS for calling the faithful to the Christmas Services
… to ANN THURRELL and the team of flower arrangers for the lovely Christmas decorations in the church
… and to ALL who donated
Advent Purses for Peru. The amount
raised will be announced in the February Grapevine
TINY TOTS SERVICE
The next service for the very young and their parents is on THURSDAY 26 JANUARY
at 10.15.am on the carpet in the church. A
warm welcome awaits all who would like to sample this twenty-minute service for
pre-school children. (Please enter the church via The Ark).
This month’s story is about a giant and a little boy with a sling.
Geoff Franklin tells of
his difficulties and the start of the Bell Restoration Project.
I
always find it difficult to write these reports because I know you're not going
to read them for another two or three weeks and a lot can happen in that time.
Each year, the January Grapevine
is the most awkward because Christmas happens in the intervening weeks and this
year is worse than usual because Christmas will be the last time that we'll ring
our existing bells.
By
the time that you read this we'll have made a start on the Bell Restoration
Project and we will have removed all the small mechanisms from the tower so that
the bell-hangers can have a clear run at their work.
We
are hoping we can leave the tower clock running but, with the bells being out of
action, you won't hear it striking again until later in 2012.
It
is a shame we won't be able to ring in the New Year, but the days off work
between Christmas and New Year give us an ideal chance to make a start. If we
miss that opportunity then we'll be trying to get the work done on odd Saturdays
through January and February and that will delay the whole project.
But
enough of the philosophy; we've made a lot of progress since the last Grapevine
and it's all good news. We started with the Promises Auction at the end of
November. This raised nearly £2,500 and we're very grateful to Barbara
Griffiths for all her hard work on our behalf.
The
next event was our regular Coffee Morning at the Village Hall. We're still
sorting out the accounts for this one but it looks as though we'll have raised
something over £200 from the refreshments, books and raffle.
The
last bit of good new is that we've had another donation of £100 from the
ringers at Beoley. We've also had invitations from the ringers at Beoley and at
Feckenham encouraging us to visit them for practice nights whilst our bells are
out of commission.
Finally
I'd like to thank everyone for their support over the past year and to wish you
all a Happy New Year.
Blooming wonderful!
Andrea Halse reveals a growing society in
Rowney Green.
2011 was a very successful year for the Rowney Green Horticultural Society. Membership increased to over 70 and members were treated to some interesting and varied speakers. There were visits to local private gardens, Pershore College, Ashwoods private garden and Colgrave Seeds Nursery. All were thoroughly enjoyed and our thanks go to Janet Barnett and Ann Allen for making this possible
The year ended with a great supper and our local Community Choir providing the Christmas spirit. Many thanks to Elaine Prosser, our Chairman, for organising the evening.
Our next meeting in Rowney Green Peace Hall is on THURSDAY 12 JANUARY when Chris Broad will talk about Beekeeping. It starts at 7.45pm. If you would like anymore information please contact me, Andrea Halse, on 0121 445 1929.
Quiz
& Chips
Graham Clark invites you sharpen up your
little grey cells.
Calling all you quiz fans! Want to get the little grey cells working again after Christmas? It’s time for another of Where Next’s famous ‘Quiz & Chips’ evenings. Make a note in your diary for 7.30pm on February 11th and call Where Next to book your tickets. They are only £7 per person, and you can have up to six in a team. For this you not only get a great evening’s entertainment and a fish supper but you’re helping a worthy cause as well. And there’s a licensed bar to quench your thirst!
These events are always a sell out, so book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
FROM THE REGISTERS
FUNERALS
November 25 Cyril Weir aged 85
November 30 Darren Sloane aged 42
December 9 John Patrick Grosvenor Lawrence aged 83
OBITUARY
CYRIL WEIR
A man who lived in Snake Lane for the last three years of his life and was an active member of the Tanyard Lane Sheltered Housing entertainments group, died on 14 November 2011 at the age of 85.
Cyril Weir was born in Deritend, Birmingham and was one of four children. Only his brother, Harold, remains.
In 1944 he married Alice. They were both eighteen years of age at the time. They have shared 67 years together. He was the father of Pamela and Barry, grandfather to Tracey and Claire, and great-grandfather to Elliot, Livvy, Jasmine, and Arlen.
During the Second World War he served for three years in the army in India.
After the War he worked as a milkman and eventually became Assistant Depot manager at Midland Counties (later Unigate) Dairy. Whilst here he organised barn dances and social entertainment for his fellow-workers. His last job was with Lucas Industries.
Having lived in Malthouse Lane, Washwood Heath and Acock’s Green, where he indulged his liking for caravanning, growing vegetables on his allotment and supporting Birmingham City Football Club, he retired to Snake Lane three years ago. He helped with social activities at the Tanyard Sheltered Housing complex and was a member of the Silverthreads Club. He was a well-known figure around the village on his mobility scooter.
He will be remembered as a man with a phenomenal ability for mental arithmetic and a man who was sociable and blessed with a keen sense of humour.
His funeral was held in St Laurence Church on Friday 25 November. The hymns sung were How great thou art and For all the saints. His son-in-law, John Davies, sang Pack up your troubles and the deceased’s two children spoke tributes to their father.
After burial in the churchyard a reception was held in The Ark.
DARREN SLOANE
The youngest of three brothers, whose father is buried in the churchyard, died on 13 November at the age of 42.
Darren Sloane was born in Bourneville, Birmingham on 29 December 1968. His parents were Diane and Robert Sloane. He attended Northfield Manor School and Shenley Court Comprehensive School.
Upon leaving school he joined his father in the family building firm of Sloane and Stanley, later branching out as a carpenter with his brother Paul. He had natural practical skills and the enviable gift of being able to succeed at most things to which he turned his hand.
He shared thirteen years with his partner, Angela, and was the proud father of his son, Ben. He had six nephews and nieces: Bobby, Georgie, Dylan, Inka, Isabella and Elissa.
He will be remembered as a conscientious provider for his family who liked being with the other members of his family
His funeral was held at Redditch Crematorium on Wednesday 30 November and the hymns sung were Jerusalem and Abide with me. His brothers, Paul and Steve, spoke tributes to their younger brother. His cremated remains were later interred in the churchyard, in the grave of his father, Robert, who died in 1998.
SIR JOHN PATRICK GROSVENOR
LAWRENCE
A founder member of the Alvechurch Village Society, Sidesman at the parish church and senior partner in the Birmingham legal practice of Wragge & Co, died on 29 November at the age of 83.
Following
service in the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War, John Patrick
Grosvenor Lawrence joined Wragge & Co as an articled clerk, becoming a
partner in 1959.
He
was senior partner from 1982 to 1993, a time when the firm, one of
Birmingham’s oldest, began the process of transformation into a modern
business. It now emplys 659 lawyers and 1,118 staff worldwide.
At
the same time, Sir Patrick was active in the political and public life of
Birmingham and the West Midlands.
From
an early age he was keenly interested in politics and local government; from
1967 to 1974 as a councillor in Bromsgrove, and then on the council of the West
Midland Conservative Association, becoming its chairman from 1988 to 1989.
He
was a member of the governing board of the University of Aston from 1990 to 2001
and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1996.
He
chaired Birmingham Cathedral’s in Need Appeal from 1990-92 and became a member
of the cathedral’s administrative chapter from 1995 to 2002
Sir
Patrick also chaired the Kidderminster Healthcare NHS Trust from 1993 to 1996
and was a governor of his old school Denstone.
He
was chairman of the British Shooting Sports Council from 1996 to 2002, and was a
member of the Gunmakers Livery Company.
In
recognition of his many public and political services, he was appointed CBE in
1983 and a Knight Batchelor in 1988. In 1993 he became a Deputy Lord Lieutenant
and in 1996 a Freeman of the City of London.
Those
who knew him will remember him for his loyalty and generosity as well as his
unquenchable sense of humour which continued to the end of his life.
His
overriding quality was his genuine interest in other people and his readiness to
help others. This was shown in his
long association with The White Ensign Association, a charity devoted to helping
sailors when they leave the navy.
He
was devoted to his family and as good a friend as he was a colleague.
His
private loves were sailing and walking, both of which he pursued up to his
death.
Sir
Patrick married Ann Patricia Auld of Bromsgrove in 1954 who, with their daughter
Judy, survives him.
Their
son Thomas died in a car accident.
His
funeral was held in St Laurence Church on Friday 9 December and was followed by
burial in the churchyard. There
will be a Memorial Service in Birmingham Cathedral on Monday 20 February.
CALENDAR
JANUARY 2012
Sunday
1 8.00.am,
9.30.am, 11.00.am and 6.00.pm New Year’s Day Church Services
12.30.pm
Mummers Play: The Crown, Withybed Green
Friday
6
7.00.pm Epiphany
Service in St Laurence Church
Sunday
8 9.30.am
Thanksgiving for Baptism at St Laurence Church
2.30.pm
Footpath Walk from Tanyard Lane Car Park
Monday
9 1.30.pm
Forget-me-not Group: The Ark
Thursday
12 12.15.pm
Ark Café Reopens
7.30.pm
Rowney Green Horticultural Society: Peace Hall
Monday
16
February Grapevine goes to Press
Wednesday
18
Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Saturday
21 7.00.pm
Curling Evening and Bring and Share Supper in The Ark
Sunday
22 6.30.pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service: Rowney Green
Monday
23 1.30.pm
Forget-me-not: The Ark
Wednesday
25
2.00.pm St Laurence
Women’s Fellowship: Tanyard Centre
Thursday
26 10.15.am
Tiny Tots Service: Church
Friday
27 7.30.pm
Village Society Quiz: Village Hall
Saturday
28 2.30.pm
Messy Church: The Ark
FLOWERS
There
are no names on my Rota for January. Hopefully I can supply arrangements for the
first week or so but after that I would much appreciate offers of help for the
latter half of the month. Please
let me know if you can help.
Ann
Thurrell 0121 447 7668
Forget-me-Not
Sue
Phillips extends an invitation to remember lost loved ones.
The Forget-me-not Group is for those who would like to take time out to remember lost loved ones. Everyone’s experience of grief is different and for some people it helps to be in the company of others who are living with the pain of loss. Or, to have a place where they can revisit precious moments without worrying that others around them won’t understand or will be embarrassed. It can help to find that others experiencing loss have similar moments of both joy and sorrow.
And when you can do this in comfortable surroundings, with a glass of mulled wine and plates loaded with mince pies, it’s even better. For those who haven’t been to Forget-me-not, I’m afraid the mulled wine isn’t our usual tipple, but there’s always a freshly-made cup of tea or coffee and plenty of biscuits.
We meet on Mondays, twice a month in the ARK, from 1:30-2:45. Dates for the next 3 months are:
January 9th
January 23rd
February 6th
February 20th
March 5th
March 19th
For more information or help
with transport call Sue Phillips 445 3620, Annette Thomas 445 5180 or Philippa
Brakes 445 3983.
St
Laurence Women’s Fellowship
Jill
Woolley tells of Christmas magic and the magic of the theatre.
We enjoyed a “magical” Christmas Party in December when Barrie Jenks enthralled and intrigued us with his conjuring tricks. Christmas refreshments were served and the afternoon ended with Carols.
Our first meeting of the New Year will be on WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY. Mrs Linda Kettle will talk about her life as a Television and Theatre Set Designer and she will have a selection of her scarves and jewellery for sale.
We meet in the Tanyard Centre at 2.00pm on the 4th Wednesday of every month and are always pleased to see new faces – come and join us.