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PARISH POSTBAG
“Ho, Ho, Ho what a luverley Christmas Party” I should think there were about 25 children having the time of their lives on Saturday 8th December. I haven’t been to a party where I have enjoyed myself as much. Of course racing around as they did was a little too much for Rita and me but the enjoyment was to watch them, including our granddaughter, having a good time. Many thanks go to the organisers (too many to quote but the organisation was excellent) and the food was first class. The presence of Father Christmas was a great big bonus.
The Award I had the responsibility to try and identify the owner of an OBE which was found in the safe of Clarence Street College. I was given sketchy information with which I went to the Bolton Museum with a view to donating it to them. Unfortunately without a proper provenance it couldn’t be accepted. Who better to ask but someone who has this decoration so I spoke with John Walsh, a member of our congregation and what’s more chairman of the Organ Appeal Fund - I shall go back to John in a moment. To clear up this matter he advised me to contact the Lord Chamberlain’s Office in London. I did and they rang back and much to my surprise they have no record of this person either. The Bolton News answered the call and with the information supplied it was printed and this got an immediate response and the following was forwarded. “The recipient of the award is Miss Elizabeth Ann Howarth, well known to the ladies prior to 1951 when she died In 1938 the Bolton Director of Education decided to establish a Women’s Institute, meeting in the evenings but later to become full time to enable women to receive instruction in household management. Miss Howarth was appointed the full time Principal and she pioneered the work of Women’s Institutes with a staff that was part time who brought in their own equipment in order to teach. It is said that her indefatigable spirit was an inspiration to all who were associated with her and this carried on throughout all her time, including the war, at Clarence Street setting the long tradition of excellence in Adult Education. She was awarded the OBE by King George V1 for general services to Further Education”.
So, I come back to John Walsh, a member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He was honoured by the Queen in 1994 for services to the local community. Whilst on the subject of John I would like to take this opportunity to expand a little more. In 2002 – 2003 he was created Mayor of the town with Christine his wife becoming Lady Mayoress. This was the Queen’s Jubilee year and also the year of the Commonwealth games held in Manchester where John presented two Gold medals. It was also the year when the Bishop of Manchester retired and John attended the enthronement of Bishop Nigel. It was also the 750th Anniversary of the Charter being awarded to Bolton. He and Christine had 1500 engagements and only two days off in the year - John wore out three suits because the chain of office rubbed so hard!
Advent Carols I was watching Songs of Praise presented by Aled Jones just before setting off to St. Peter’s for the annual Advent Carol Service when he reminded everyone that on December 5th the Royal Society for Church Music celebrates its 80th year of its foundation. That evening we were given the benefit of this august foundation to hear the choir of our church together with Christ Church, Heaton once more giving a memorable rendition of Advent carols. As usual Stephen Carleston gave an impeccable performance as conductor with the excellent help of Dr. John Ellis at the organ which at the moment is on loan to us.
“The Passion” This will be shown in six episodes on BBC 1 across Easter next. It will begin with Jesus’ entrance through the East gate of Jerusalem and takes in the Crucifixion and Resurrection. It is said that it rehabilitates Pontius Pilate and he is shown as a troubled Roman prefect who is forced to clamp down on insurgents running riot in Jerusalem. The producer states that the Resurrection scenes, to be shown on Easter Sunday, would be faithful to the Gospels.
Tombstone truths On a tombstone in India of a British Army officer accidentally shot by his bearer; “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. and On a tombstone on a ghillie’s grave in Cromdale cemetery near Grantown on Spey reads, “If whiskey be the water of life, then why am I lying here?”
Take all the time in the World Contrary to what you may tell yourself, you have all the time in the world to do whatever you choose. What cannot be fitted into your day cannot be done – forget about it.
Postman David |
