Parish News Autumn 2013 | Free St Mary Abbots | Christ Church | St Philip’s www.stmaryabbotschurch.org | www.christchurchkensington.com | www.specr.org Kensington A world of Contents experience at Autumn 2013 your doorstep… 7 Vicar’s Voice - Revd Jenny Welsh Chesterton Humberts’ Kensington offices can 10 A New Arrival - Barbara Want help you with all your property needs, from residential sales and lettings to commercial 11 A Pottered History - Jane MacAllan and rural property. Our network of national and 16 On John Stuart Mill - Isabella Thomas international offices really give us, and you, the 18 A Glorious Reception - Max Croft competitive edge. 20 An Appeeling* Trip - David Holdridge So come and visit our doorstep, or even our website 22 Photo Diary and see how our experience is to your advantage. 24 New Deacons - Jennifer McGrandle 26 Giving thanks for Mark Sheldon CBE CHESTERTON HUMBERTS KENSINGTON OFFICES 28 Super Glass - Changes at St Philip’s Kensington Church Street 62 Kensington Church Street, 32 Summer Churches Kensington, London W8 4DB 34 Fairtrade Church - Eliza Low T: 020 7937 7244 E: [email protected] Kensington High Street 116 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 7RW Front Cover: The APPAriTioN of ST MichAel The ArchANgel T: 020 7937 7244 E: [email protected] Would readers wishing to submit Editors: Fiona Braddock and Olga Pantyukhova. articles for our next issue Winter2013 Printed by Print Express. Distributed free through or would like to advertise in the KPN our three parish churches. Copyright remains (all proceeds to the church) please email the property of the respective authors. Heartfelt [email protected] thanks, as always, to all our contributors. chestertonhumberts.com Partridges is your local, independently-owned grocers, Heythrop College Public Events established over 40 years ago, and providers of Michaelmas Term 2013 the finest foods and wines from around the world. Wednesday 23 October, 18.30 Thursday 14 November, 18.30 From Louvain to London: Chaplaincy Loyola Lecture: A Legacy November Ethics Theology on the Hoof of Hope - how a tragic murder Lecture Series A look at Heythrop’s History with inspired hope and a change for good the Heythrop Association of Alumni Margaret and Barry Mizen & Staff: Wednesday 6 November, 18.00 Mr Michael Walsh Friday 15 November, 10.00 How much is Enough? The love of money and the case for a good life Heythrop Institute: An Introduction Lord Robert Skidelsky Thursday 24 October, 11.30 to Theological Action Research On Religious Freedom Heythrop Institute Public Lecture: Thursday 28 November, 18.30 Wednesday 13 November, 18.00 Professor José Casanova Loschert Lecture 2: Conscience and its meaning today Dr Piers Benn Baroness Scotland of Asthal Monday 28 October, 18.30 Nisi crederet non caperet. Looking Friday 29 November, 17.30 Wednesday 20 November, 18.00 Back to Post-Modernity with Nicholas Poetry: the Relationship between Ethics in Action: The Challenge of of Cusa Poetry and Faith Implementing Corporate Social Inaugural Professorial Lecture: Dr Elena Buia Rutt, introduced Responsibility Professor Johannes Hoff by Dr Antonio Spadaro SJ Mr Russell Sparkes Monday 11 November, 18.30 Full details and how to book Wednesday 27 November, 18.00 Grey Wisdom: Not Quite the Last for any of these events are at Imagination and the Art of Moral Word on Religious Pluralism Transformation Inaugural Professorial Lecture: www.heythrop.ac.uk/ Dr Anna Abram Professor Michael Barnes SJ about-us/ allevents.html £7.50 off your next shop valid on transactions of £50 or more Please cut out voucher and present at checkout. Kensington Square, London W8 5HN Tel: 020 7795 6600 Fax: 020 7795 4200 Excludes stamps, tobacco products and spirits. This offer is not valid for home deliveries. E-mail: [email protected] www.heythrop.ac.uk GLOUCESTER ROAD Offer valid until 23:59, 30/11/2013. @HeythropCollege /HeythropCollege UNDERGROUND FROM THE CLERGY VicaR’s Voice Revd Jenny Welsh In the weekly school assembly the children are asked who is having a birthday and the child whose birthday it is lights the candle to signal the beginning of the assembly. It’s a nice way for a child to feel that their birthday is important. In a way, the date of our birth is a sign that we do exist, and we are an identifiable and identified person. What’s odd, though, is that we don’t usually mark the birthdays of saints in the church: Let us take you under our wing what we usually mark is the day that we identify with their death, rather than their birth - the day when they are gathered up Madonna and child by guy reid, St Matthew’s, Westminster to new life with God, if you like. But Mary, the blessed Virgin is nearly unique, My early Christian formation was a solidly Contact Us Today: in that the church marks not her death and protestant one, and the lives of the saints and her birth - just as we mark the birth and Mary have only relatively recently become 020 7060 9700 death of John the Baptist, and also of course important in my personal spiritual discipline. of Jesus himself. Their lives are bound I found the saints to be sometimes rather Westbury Private Clients together in the story of salvation, and so it is distant figures, and the way they are often Juxon House, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU right that their beginnings and ends should described in paintings and sculpture can seem be held together by the church too. Like rather inhuman in their beauty and perfection. our own birthdays these festivals of birth remind us that these people were real, born I would like to offer you two images of www.westburypc.com Twitter: @WestburyPC to real human families and lived real lives. Mary that have made her real for me, images which portray her as a real woman On our patronal feast day at St Mary Abbots it and mother, and thus as someone to This communication is for the general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We accept no responsibility for any is Mary herself who commands our attention. whom I might direct my own devotion. loss arising from reliance on the information it contains. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. Exchange rate movements may cause the value of overseas investments to fluctuate. Westbury Private Clients LLP is Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm ref no.595603. This material is not suitable for retail clients. (WPC-P0001) Autumn 2013 | 7 FROM THE CLERGY Parish Directory The first image of Mary the only clue as to who she comes from a modern is, is jammed on her head, Clergy, wardens, vestry and office statue, which you can and immovable, while her see in St Matthew’s in son’s has been dislodged THE PARISH Westminster. Like so in the struggle, and lies in Vicar of the Parish The Rev'd Gillean Craig 020 7937 6032 [email protected] many other statues of the the dust on the ground. In Parochial Church Wardens David Banks 0 7732 743 228 [email protected] Virgin, the figure of Mary the background looking in Adrian Weale 020 7937 0765 [email protected] Children’s Safeguarding is seated with the Christ through the window are Officer: Samantha Giles safeguardingofficer@stm aryabbotschurch.org Child on her lap. But there witnesses to this scene of Electoral Roll Officer: James Dunford-Wood 07732 842894 [email protected] the similarity ends. In this real domestic life, just as we particular statue, Mary are. We wonder whether they Parish Administrator: Susan Russell 020 7937 2419 susan.russell@stmaryabbots hurch.org isn’t demurely lowering are as shocked as we are, to her eyes; nor are there see Our Lady showing her ST MARY ABBOTS draped robes modestly frustration with a naughty Associate Vicar The Rev’d Jenny Welsh 020 7937 2364 [email protected] covering her head and Saviour of the World. And Honorary Priests The Rev’d Peter Stubbs 020 8868 8296 [email protected] Deputy Churchwardens for St Mary Abbots Church: body. Here, the figure of we realise that the expression Carole-Anne Phillips 020 7937 3448 Mary is as naked as the of serenity that we usually Thomas Williams 07768 166 422 [email protected] Vestry/Virger George MacAllan 020 7937 5136 [email protected] child on her lap. She is an Max ernst, The Virgin punishing Jesus in see on her face may not have St Mary Abbots Centre Adam Norton (Manager) 020 7937 8885 [email protected] front of three witnesses: André Breton, ordinary young woman, come as naturally to her as Director of Music Mark Uglow [email protected] Paul eluard and the painter, 1926 Stewardship Secretary James Egert 07920 591 553 [email protected] not particularly beautiful, we might imagine. Here Children on Sunday / quite muscular, and with an intense and fierce Jesus is an all too real child and she is a real Children’s Champion Alexandra Swann [email protected] look on her face as she rests her chin on mother trying to raise him as best she can. Friends of St Mary Abbots David Banks (Chairman) 07732 743 228 [email protected] Bellringers David Holdridge (Secretary) [email protected] the back of the baby’s head, with eyes that Again, she isn’t a woman to be venerated Kensington Parish News Fiona Braddock (Editor) [email protected] stare back at us; and the perfectly ordinary but she is a woman to be reckoned with. Friday Playgroup Laura Sylvester 07770 920 085 [email protected] baby is clearly very young. Far from being a plaster saint, to be venerated and prayed The reason I like these two images is that CHRIST CHURCH to, this Mary is in a sense every young they remind us that the Mary of the gospel Associate Vicar with Special Responsibility for Christ Church mother, as her child is just like every young accounts was a real person of flesh and blood, The Rev’d Mark O’Donoghue 020 7937 2966 [email protected] baby. It’s an affectionate, unsentimental of emotion and passion, just like the rest of us. Deputy Wardens: Adrian Weale 020 7937 0765 [email protected] Philip Witheridge 020 7937 5184 [email protected] image of a real woman and her real child. They remind us, that her Son, though he was Administrator Adele Pye 020 7937 2966 [email protected] She isn’t someone to be exalted on a plinth, God incarnate, he was also flesh and blood Director of Music Rupert Perkins surrounded by candles and flowers but rather like his mother and like us too. This is after someone with her feet firmly on the ground, all what incarnation means - God being made to be reckoned with and taken seriously. flesh - being born and dying like the rest of ST PHILIPS us. As we celebrated the feast of the Mary’s Associate Vicar with Special Responsibility for St Philip The Rev’d David Walsh 020 7603 4420 [email protected] The other image is even more striking in its nativity, we gave thanks that when God comes Non-St ipendiary Ministers The Rev’d Lesley Perry [email protected] humanity: it’s a painting by Max Ernst, of into the world to redeem creation, he joins The Rev’d Ijeoma Ajibade [email protected] Deputy Wardens: Anne Steele [email protected] Mary and the Christ Child once again on her himself not with the unusually holy, or the Callum Stewart 07860 579 838 [email protected] lap, but in this case, he lies across her knee extraordinarily pure, but with the ordinary Licensed Reader Rupert Steele 020 8747 1556 [email protected] and getting a smack on his backside from his and unholy stuff of life - like flesh and blood, Administrator Liz Christie 020 7938 1367 [email protected] Children’s Ministry Leader Erica Roane [email protected] redfaced and furious mother. Mary’s halo, like bread and wine, like you and me. Membership Secretary Chris Luxton 020 7937 4159 [email protected] Director of Music Rebecca Taylor [email protected] 8 | Autumn 2013 = REGULAR WORSHIP = ST MARY ABBOTS FEATURE Sundays 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.30 am SUNg eUchAriST with creche & Sunday School A nEw ArrivAl in tHE PArisH 11.15 am Choral Matins & Sermon 12.30 pm holy eUchAriST 6.30 pm Evensong with Sermon & Holy Eucharist 1st Sunday of month: The most influential person in London is about of Kent - was a controlling woman who set Taize Prayer & holy eucharist Mondays up the ‘Kensington System’ to monitor her 8.30 am Morning Prayer to move to the Royal Borough, Barbara Want daughter’s every move. Victoria learned 1.05 pm Sunday on Monday service 5.30 pm Evening Prayer of her accession at the Palace, but moved tells us more about the history of his new home almost immediately to Buckingham Palace, Tuesdays 8.30 am Morning Prayer though it was at Kensington Palace that she 11.30 am holy eUchAriST in Whitehall. He bought Nottingham House - first met her husband to be, Prince Albert. Book of Common Prayer 5.30 pm Evening Prayer as it was then known - for the princely sum of £20,000 in 1689, and set about making A statue of Queen Victoria now graces the Wednesdays it the seat of the reigning monarch. new public entrance to Kensington Palace. 7.10 am Morning Prayer 7.30 am holy eUchAriST 2.00 pm 3rd Weds in the month: Holy Eucharist Like all good residents of RBKC he and his In recent times the Palace has been associated with laying-on of hands & Anointing 5.30 pm Evening Prayer wife Mary II couldn’t contemplate moving with the unhappy marriage of Prince Charles in without an extensive refurbishment and Princess Diana in the shadow of which Thursdays 7.10 am Morning Prayer programme, which was undertaken by Sir Prince William grew up. He’ll be moving his 9.30 am St Mary Abbots School Eucharist Christopher Wren. Their time there, though, family into different apartments, returning to in term time - all welcome was short-lived. Mary died after just five Princess Margaret’s living quarters which have 5.30 pm Evening Prayer years at the Palace - of smallpox. She was been extensively refurbished. Though not by Fridays 32 and hadn’t produced an heir. Six years Sir Christopher Wren. 7.10 am Morning Prayer 7.30 am holy coMMUNioN later William fell from his horse and broke 5.30 pm Evening Prayer his collar bone. Retreating to Kensington The State Apartments are now open to the Saturdays Palace he lay in bed for several weeks before public: you can visit the room where William 9.40 am Morning Prayer catching pneumonia. He died soon after. III played soldiers with his young nephew, 10.00 am holy eUchAriST Queen Mary II’s bedroom and the room 5.30 pm Evening Prayer The Palace remained the favoured royal where the 18-year old Victoria awoke to on MAJor feASTDAyS additional Services The State Apartments at Kensington Palace residence and played host to Queen Anne, be told she was to be Queen. In The Kings also offered: see the Bulletin & Noticeboard. George I and George II until 1760, when Gallery is a dial connected to a wind-vane CHRIST CHURCH Kensington Palace will once again be in George III moved his court to Buckingham on the roof built by William III so he could Sundays 8.30 am holy coMMUNioN the spotlight as the Duke and Duchess Palace and Kensington Palace ceased to see which way the wind was blowing and 11.00 am 1st and 3rd Sundays in the month move into their new apartments serve as the seat of the reigning monarch. where his navy was likely to be heading. & on major feasts: BCP holy coMMUNioN around the corner from St Mary Abbots. The ‘Sunken Garden’ outside was built by 11.00 am 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month: The only monarch to be born within the Edward VII to re-create the gardens that BCP morning prayer Kensington Palace started life as a private walls of Kensington Palace was Queen existed at the Palace in the 17th century. 6.30 pm Contemporary Evening Service ST PHILIP’S country house in around 1605. Kensington Victoria, but the many years she spent there Sundays was then but a village, known for having as a child were not happy ones. Her father You might not catch a glimpse of young 8.30 am Holy Communion ‘very good air’, a fact not lost on King died when she was an infant and her mother Prince George - but perhaps Father 10.30 am SUNg eUchAriST with Sunday School William III who suffered from chronic asthma, – German-born Princess Victoria of Saxe- Gillean can persuade him to come round 1st Sundays: all age service with Eucharist 9.00 pm Night Prayer exacerbated by his damp dwellings Coburg-Saalfeld, subsequently the Duchess one Sunday for our Family Eucharist. Monday to Friday 11 10 | Autumn 2013 9.10 am Morning Prayer FROM THE ARCHIVE FROM THE ARCHIVE A POttErED HistOrY Beatrix was born and brought up at 2 Bolton Gardens, South Kensington, this ‘unloved Beatrix Potter was married in St Mary Abbots. birthplace’, as Beatrix later referred to it. Yet Jane MacAllan searches the archive to find she was not a parishioner. She was brought up as a Unitarian. out more Unitarianism grew out of Piecing together our history and the being a scientific illustrator. In 1895 the Protestant reasons why certain events have Caroline Martineau, Principal of Morley Reformation of happened, where they occurred or Memorial College for Working Men the 16th century. who participated is sometimes like detective and Women, commissioned her to draw During the 17th work. The sources to hand often provide twelve lithographs to illustrate science century the belief clues to part of the picture but not always lectures. Martineau had heard of Beatrix’s in God as one all of it. 2013 marks the centenary of the artistic abilities through her own family, person grew marriage of the much loved children’s author as her cousin, James Martineau, was within some parts and illustrator, Helen Beatrix Potter to a Unitarian theologian and mentor to of the Church William Heelis, a solicitor, on 15th October Rupert Potter. It is thought that Beatrix of England and 1913. Why did the ceremony take place probably consulted Dr Woodward, the spread among at St Mary Abbots Church? What do we leading authority on the Palaeozic period, dissenters from know about the service from our records? for her drawings of fossils. Around this the Established time, Beatrix met his daughter, Gertrude, Church. During We are fortunate to have the marriage who was also an artist and scientific the 18th century register for that period, which gives some illustrator. They became firm friends. Unitarianism insight into who was present. There were thinking began to four witnesses to the solemnisation of the The marriage ceremony was conducted by express itself as a marriage. Beatrix’s parents, Rupert Potter, Rev. Charles Samuel Durham, Assistant movement and it a retired Barrister, who is described as a Curate. Interestingly part of his ministry was only legally ‘Gentleman’ in the register, and Helen Potter focused on children and he was Chaplain recognised in both signed. Lelio Stampa, an Oxford don to the King’s Messengers, a branch of the 1813. It affirmed and cousin of William Heelis, seems to have Children’s Guild of Help Union. The parish the essential unity been the only representative of the Heelis magazines for the early 1900s tell us that of humankind family there to support William. The fourth the ‘K.M.’s’ (as they were known) aimed to and of creation. witness was Gertrude M. Woodward. support foreign mission work by encouraging Today, ‘children attached to our congregations’ to Unitarianism is Linda Lear’s biography, Beatrix Potter: become involved ‘in various works already still identified A life in Nature, reveals that Gertrude was in existence for the benefit of others, and with religious the daughter of Dr Henry Woodward, Keeper to foster in them the spirit of unselfishness, liberalism and of Geology at the British Museum. Prior to so that they may, in their early lives, learn tolerance. In becoming an author, Beatrix aspired to to live for others and to do acts of kindness’. fact, it was the 12 | Autumn 2013 Autumn 2013 | 13 FROM THE ARCHIVE first Church in Britain with Beatrix), was to accept women as friends with John ministers in 1904. Everett Millais, artist, who lived It is to William Heelis in Palace Gate. we must turn for part of Rupert used to the explanation for the visit Millais choice of church. He came and photographed from an extensive family not only the artist well known in the old himself in his counties of Westmorland studio, but also and Cumbria. His father some of his is noted in the marriage sitters. Millais register as ‘John Heelis rated Rupert’s (deceased), Clerk in Holy photographs so Orders’. Another John highly that he Heelis, a great-nephew often used them of ‘Willie’ (as he was as the basis for his known to his family), portraits, including has researched the family background. that of Prime Minister William Gladstone. Willie’s father was the first Rector of Dufton Rupert photographed Gladstone in 1884 on the East Fellside, and later of Kirkby when he sat for his second portrait (of three!) Thore between Appleby and Penrith in by Millias, which now hangs in Eton College. Cumbria. His grandfather, Edward, was The following year Gladstone created Millais the Rector of Long Marton, near Appleby, a baronet. Rupert’s photograph, along for forty-two years. Thus Willie, the with some of his others, is now held by the youngest of eleven children, was brought National Portrait Gallery. Two of Millais’ up as an Anglican and, not surprisingly, children were married in St Mary Abbots two of his brothers became parish priests. Church: his daughter, Alice, in 1886 and his son, Geoffroy, in 1901 – both of which are Lear describes St Mary Abbots as ‘elegant in the parish marriage registers. Perhaps this and socially prestigious’ with ‘a long and influenced the Potters’ decision over choice distinguished history, dating to medieval of venue for their only daughter’s wedding. times’. She suggests that the choice of church may also have been a concession to Beatrix’s Thus, from the parish records together parents’ social standing. Rupert, a keen with other sources, we can begin to build a amateur photographer (an interest he shared picture of who, what, why, when and where. 14 | Autumn 2013 FEATURE FEATURE parcels (Cretan style) and money to help him. of much of his education. It is a passage that On JOHn stUArt Mill Gradually, his family came to understand is often cited by psychotherapists today. that that would be Georgios’ life, and he then became a lecturer and later Reader in Mill met his wife, Harriet Taylor, through Bella Thomas Varouxakis reports on a History, and the history of political thought, a Unitarian priest. She was already new book published this month about the at Queen Mary College, London University. married. She had complained to the priest that though she loved her husband, she was great libertarian and thinker When Georgios read Mill’s works as an bored by him. The priest said “you must undergraduate, he found it a deep political meet my friend, John Stuart Mill: he is A member of St Mary Abbots and personal awakening. He explains that so interesting and his conversation makes congregation, Georgios Varouxakis, when you grow up in a village, you are life so fascinating”. The vicar introduced has published a new book with exposed to countless bossy people telling you them, and the two quickly became close Cambridge University Press about one what to do. When he came to read Mill, he friends (arousing the disapproval of much of Kensington’s most celebrated former understood that he could, if necessary ignore of London society). They married when her parishioners, John Stuart Mill, the 19th them. He could be himself, he could break first husband eventually died, after 21 years century political philosopher and writer. some customs and expectations. Mill had of intimate friendship, and Mill claims that Mill lived in Kensington Square from his written that eccentrics were not only to be his wife had a profound effect on his writing birth in 1806 until 1851 when he married tolerated but thanked. Oddness and diversity and thinking. She too was a philosopher. Harriet Taylor. Among many other things, were good for communities because it made Their mutual devotion was inspiring. Mill wrote the seminal work on liberty them challenge their own assumptions, in 1859: it is arguably the most important Mill wrote. Georgios says it was a kind of Georgios has now written three books defence of liberty ever written. This balm against the influence of the village. about Mill, and organised an international ground-breaking book established standards Mill’s writings spoke directly to him. bicentenary conference to mark Mill’s for the relationship between authority birth and his importance to the world. That and liberty and continues to serve as the And then Mill the man inspired Georgios there are not hordes of tourists flocking to foundation stone of liberal beliefs. But deeply. He had been educated at home by his Mill’s house, as they do to Marx’s grave, is in Britain, Mill’s pioneering classics are Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, he was eight father, James Mill, who was also a historian extraordinary. Mill was a far more benign taken so much for granted that he is little years’ old, staying with his grandparents in (to whom there is a plaque at the back of St and subtle thinker. But as a conference-goer discussed these days, except by scholars a remote village where he looked after the Mary Abbots church). Mill pointed out, Mill did not aspire to breed and devotees. Georgios’ book, liberty donkey and collected lemons. The shock never went to school: he Millists or Millians, as Marx Abroad: JS Mill on international relations that followed his father’s sudden call up to was taught Ancient Greek did Marxists: to be a follower looks at Mill’s views and activism on the the army, lead Georgios to begin reading the from the age of three, and of Mill, one becomes an international relations of his time, on how newspaper every day. This was one of the Latin at five. He later wrote individual who might ideas of liberty can best be spread in other turning points that drew him into an interest an autobiography in which strongly disagree with other countries: what is now a highly topical issue. in politics and history. He became known he described his “crisis individual followers. And of my early youth”, which Mill would be proud of that. as the “politician” in his village. His family Ironically, in other countries, Mill is more were appalled when later he wanted to study came about, he thought, readily remembered and cited, perhaps in Athens. They didn’t want him to leave because he only learnt If Kensington ever needed because he remains more necessary. Georgios the village. They were even more distressed rather late in life about the to promote itself, it might grew up in a village in Crete. The Greek when he decided to do a Masters’ degree power of emotions - which make more of one of its most dictatorship was still in power. When in History in London, his father sent food he considered a chief defect famous andimportant sons. 16 | Autumn 2013 Autumn 2013 | 17 SCHOOL SCHOOL A GlOriOUs for the teachers to put the furniture in place!” says Dominique. rECEPtiOn The transformation has been extraordinary. The classroom is almost twice the size, the Max Croft reports on doors open directly on to the playground and the classroom is filled with light. “I the completion of a think it is a great improvement and hope new classroom and that the newest members of the school benefit from the changes” says Dominique. infant playground at “From thinking at one point in the early wendy house was repainted and repaired, stages that we might just manage to create St Mary Abbots School and a host of play equipment is on its way. an empty shell requiring more work at a later date, to getting a finished classroom A new term has started at St Mary Head teacher Nicola Doyle said: “A is fantastic. We owe a huge thank you to Abbots School and with it a new boat has just arrived and there the LDBS, the school’s architect, and the new era for the infants after the are a range of other exciting things to contractor, for helping us get to this point.” completion of the reorganised reception inspire play activities on their way”. classroom and revamped playground. But, while the architects may have “The new playground will encourage completed their work, FOSMAS is still The wonderful new arrangement is the view to moving it towards the master plan goal pupils to develop their imagination, be beavering away. Over the summer, the culmination of a lot of hard work, vision – even if it meant not completing all the work creative and gives them a wider range of and collaborative effort from the governors, in one go. opportunities and play experiences. I am the staff, the London Diocese, FOSMAS sure they will enjoy this revamped space. (the school parents’ association), the When extra funding was generously school architect, Andre Wong of NBF supplied by the Diocese a final scheme “Without all this support from parents, this Partnership, and the school’s building was agreed and it was all systems go. The could not have happened so quickly – A huge committee, led by Dominique Andrews. reception class was moved into the old ‘thank you’ to those parents, governors and dining hall and even the church was not left staff who have helped to make this happen.” Dominique told the KPN that over the last unaffected — refreshments between 9.30 Meanwhile, the building committee is few years a masterplan for the whole school Sung Eucharist and 11.15 Choral Matins returning to its masterplan and already has been drawn up, providing a vision for found a new home in the main school hall. thinking about what needs to be done next. future improvements. In addition, each year a “It might be the room above reception,” survey is carried out in the school to pinpoint But it was over the summer term and school suggests Dominique, but we will what needs doing most urgently. It was clear holidays in 2013 that the real building work just have to wait and see. from the 2011/2012 survey that the infants’ got under way with the daunting deadline of loos and coat block were in desperate need having the work completed by the time the In the meantime, when you are next of rebuilding, explains Dominique. Although children came back in September — including passing by on your way to church poke initial funding was going to be limited, the the newest and youngest members to join the your head through the railings and committee felt it was an ideal opportunity to school. “It was finished the week before the take a look for yourself at the infant look at the whole reception class area with a children arrived, allowing just enough time playground. You won’t be disappointed. 18 | Autumn 2013 Autumn 2013 | 19
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