Reports
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July 2016
Rector's Leaving 'Do'
Picture, People at Lunch
Sunday July 17th saw the events to commemorate the leaving of our Rector, Tony Lomas'. It began with a Benefice wide Service in Redmarley Church, which was full for the occasion, followed by a 'Pig Roast' in Redmarley Village Hall. The pig came ready cooked from a local butcher but the accompanying salads and scrumptious deserts were provided by members of the congregation. (Return to top)

The Service of Holy Communion followed our usual format with the combined choirs singing an anthem whilst we received Communion, that had been written by our Organist and Choirmaster Bob May for Tony's inauguration 5 years ago. Although quite long it wasn't long enough as so many people were present and went up to receive the bread and wine. We didn't all fit into the main hall either so, as it was a dry day, some sat in the garden at the back of the hall and some in the second smaller room. (Return to top)

As this was a scheduled Benefice Service it was used to commemorate the event when we were all together, but Tony has two more Sunny Service to do in one or other of our churches before he and Ingrid move to his new post in France afterwards. (Return to top)


Men's Breakfast
Picture, Men's Breakfast
For only the third time since we started our bimonthly breakfasts eight years ago, our speaker this month illustrated his talk with PowerPoint slides. Dr Alastair Sammon spent three years in Tanzania, Africa, with his wife Rev'd Helen who had gone under the auspices of the Bishop of Gloucester to show them what a woman priest can do, as that conservative church doesn't ordain woman priests or bishops and his slides revealed some of his experiences. (Return to top)

Alastair said he hadn't been there long when it became known he was a retired surgeon and, as the nearest main hospital was 10 hours drive away, he was invited to assist in three local hospitals only an hour and a half's drive away... over dirt roads with the world's worst potholes! During that time he was able to teach local doctors with only basic skills how to do more advanced surgery. (Return to top)

He also oversaw the building of a 6th Form college made from mud bricks and tin roof as there wasn't one in the area. He said it's a poor country and although they have large Christian congregations with up to 1,000 in a Sunday School, they can take years to make a new church or building, starting the foundations but only finishing them and the walls in stages as they get the funds. Our diocese, which has a link with them, hence Helen's visit, has paid for the tin roof of some local churches and furnishing inside. It certainly makes you realise how relatively rich we are in the west. (Return to top)
1916 Remembered - Concert
Pictur, Peter Wilman
Following the Exhibition (see report below), a evening concert was held on Saturday 2nd July in Dymock Parish Church to commemorate artists who were killed or whose lives were change by the First World War. Most were little known so their works are seldom heard because their lives were cut so short. The concert was given by Peter Wilman, a local Tenor born in Gloucester but now a regular performer with Welsh Opera, supported by our Musical Director, Bob May on piano and organ, and our augmented choir - The St Mary Singers. (Return to top)

The extensive programme included works by Edward Elgar, Francis Purcell Warren, George Butterworth, Frederick Semptimus Kelly, William Denis Browne, John Ireland, Maurice Ravel, Ivor Gurney, Frank Maurice Jephson, George Jerrard Wilkinson, Willie B Manson and Clifford Bax. (Return to top)


1916 Remembered - Exhibition
Picture, 1916 Exhibition
As part of Dymock's remembrance of the First World War, an exhibition was held on Saturday 2nd July in Dymock Parish Hall of items and memories of 1916 and, in particular, the Battle of the Somme. The exhibits were provided by members of Dymock community and people in the surrounding areas. There were enough exhibits that an overspill was moved into Dymock Church, along with refreshments of teas and cakes. (Return to top)

The exhibition was well attended, as was the concert held in the evening to celebrate artists who were either killed or who's lives were changed by that war (see report above). (Return to top)