Concert News – August 2017

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Kingston Concerts

Music of high quality but of very different kinds returns to St James Church, Kingston, next month (September) in two separate concerts.

The first at 11.30am on Sunday, 3 September, brings back the internationally renowned cellist Natalie Clein and a bunch of friends, all outstanding musicians in their own right, to give the closing concert of her annual and expanding Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival. On offer to the Kingston audience will be two lesser known works, Passacaglia and Fugue (1944) for string trio by the Czech composer Hans Krasa and Morning Blues by Per Arne Glorvigen, a Norwegian composer who is also a master of the bandoneon, that essential ingredient of the tango. The concert will end with the richly melodic String Sextet in A major Op. 48 by Dvorak, whose music forms one of the themes of the festival.

The second concert at 7 pm on Thursday, 28 September will mark the return to Kingston of Northern Harmony, a choir of 16 exceptional young American singers steeped in the folksong traditions not only of their home country but also of South Africa and of European countries like Bulgaria, Corsica and Georgia. Their intriguing programme ranges from the rich sounds and syncopated rhythms of South Africa to American shapenote singing derived from the community singing of 18th century New England to the ancient three-part harmony singing tradition of Georgia. Most of the singers have studied these different traditions in their countries of origin and bring to their performances all the enthusiasm generated by the joy of discovery and understanding. Many of the songs are accompanied by dance and by instruments whether it be the fiddle, oboe, drum or tambura, a kind of long-necked lute originating in Mesopotamia but now widely played elsewhere including in Eastern and Central Europe.

Robin Stringer

Village News – August 2017

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Kingston Notes

Heavens! Ascot and Wimbledon have been and gone and already I’ve noticed the evenings are dark a little earlier than two or three weeks ago. All through the winter I look forward to the spring and summer and then they are here and then they are gone and it’s back to short dim days and iffy weather. I definitely have a thing about sunlight – or maybe daylight and the lack of it – technically called SAD and standing for seasonal affective disorder it certainly makes me feel sad as soon as autumn approaches. To give autumn its due it does have some good points – the colours of the leaves as they change from greens to red and golds and browns, the smell of bonfires and frosty mornings and so on but as its still just about July I’m not going to think about autumn for at least another month or two and concentrate on what’s left of the summer!

When I was little – and that’s quite a long time ago – Encombe Fête was held every other year. I’m not quite sure why – maybe it was an after the war thing. Anyway, all the village got involved and it was quite an event. Daphne Scott opened the house to visitors and encouraged everyone with their stalls etc. by donating to each one and then on the day going round and buying it all back! It was a lovely happy day in idyllic surroundings and the weather co-operated by always being dry and sunny!

A few years ago, George Pitman told me that he had been reading up on Encombe Fête in the 1920s when Eric Scott lived at Encombe and apparently after the fête the lake was lit up and the villagers danced to the village band. It’s all changed rather a lot over the years and the sale of Encombe House meant that the fête has now ended up as Kingston Fête held around the Church – probably not the best place for a fete! Over the years it has got harder and harder to run as people have moved or died or just got older or lost interest.

We were hoping to hold another fête this year but the lack of support generally is making it quite a difficult task! The future of Kingston Church is quite uncertain at the moment but, whatever happens to it, I am pretty sure the building will still need maintaining and repairing and heating and so on and to do that money has to be found each year from various fund raising events! Whether you are a church goer or not it is quite often a useful building with people round about for weddings funerals and christenings!

There have been two weddings this month in the church and also a funeral. George Pitman who lived with his wife Rosemary at the Old Post Office for many years and who was very much involved with the church – and the village generally, died this month. He was a lovely man who for a long time wrote the Kingston Notes for the Dubber and did them much better than anything I could achieve. He always managed to find some personal bits of news about people living in the village and as he had been a headmaster for many years his notes were very well written indeed. He will be very missed not only by his family but by all the people who knew him and loving thoughts go to Rosemary and the family at such a sad time.

On Sunday, the ladies from NADFAS came to the church to talk about the work they had been doing for some years refurbishing the altar frontals and we served teas and Roderick played some music and although all sorts of other things were going on locally quite a nice few people came into the church to have tea and look at the display. Thank you to everyone who helped.

It’s always interesting talking to visitors to the church – one visitor told me that he lived on the Isle of Wight but that his family – the Grant family – were local to the area – in fact one of them had their name on the role of honour in the church. It is so nice that people can trace their families back like this. And finally thank you to Hubert Beavis who phoned to tell me that he can remember picking butterfly orchids for his mother too – rather proves something doesn’t it – that when we were all picking armfuls of the things back they came every year!

And a final finally – this little poem for all the walkers I see walking along the hills not really looking at the amazing views and looking rather grim. It’s called The Rambler and it goes like this:

See the happy walker – he doesn’t give a damn he’s got his compass and his boots, – he’s never in a jam.

See the happy walker – he’s got his haversack it’s filled with useful odds and ends – hanging on his back.

See the happy walker – he’s out in wind and rain he grits his teeth and marches on – he looks like he’s in pain.

See the happy walker – so keen to ramble on he’s forgotten what he’s walking for – Just going, going, gone!

And that’s just what I’m going to do. Happy August

Susan Ireland

Village News – July 2017

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Church Stall

We are having a stall in aid of Kingston Church at the Kingston Country Fair Air Ambulance Fête on Sunday, 9 July and are intending to sell Bric-a-Brac, books, plants, etc. to raise funds. If anyone has anything that might sell and wish to donate please contact either Doreen Farr on 07506235038 or Judy Robson on 07541215500 and we will be happy to collect donations.

Also on Sunday, 16 July we are serving cream teas in the Church with accompanying music. Please come along if you are able to. We look forward to welcoming you to the Church.

Doreen Farr

Kingston Notes

Last month’s Kingston Notes were so late being written that I missed the deadline. So, in an effort to break the habit of a lifetime which is being perpetually late for everything, I thought I’d make a start on this quite early in June – it is now the 21st and the notes are due in on Friday, 23rd – what can possibly go wrong?

A friend once told me that being late is graceless. My excuse is that I was born two weeks late and so have been tarred with that late brush for eternity or at least until I depart my graceless existence.

Anyway, Spring rapidly turned into Summer and my naughty escapologist lady cat unexpectedly gave birth to three kittens two weeks ago – all very sweet and mole-like. Besides that, the hot summer weather resulted in sightings of the great white British male in all his bare-chested and often saggy stomached glory. Next it will be the socks and sandal brigade – the British have such great elan.

On a more serious note – the warm weather has encouraged a few random butterflies into my garden which made me quite excited. Years ago, my parents garden was covered in all types of butterfly but now even seeing one is turning into a rare event. A bit like all the orchids that used to grow abundantly in the woods at Kingston; they are dying out I think. When I was a child, I am afraid to say, my brothers and I used to pick large bunches and take them home for my mother, the butterfly orchids smelt and looked beautiful and despite all our pickings they came back each year even more profusely. Butterfly orchids, bee orchids, those mauve ones and some other green variety – not great with names! Last year I found two butterfly orchids and this year so far I have seen not one. I wonder if it’s the climate, the change in the countryside itself, etc., etc. that has made them virtually die out or just that everyone stopped picking them. Answers on a postcard, please.

Last month’s request for news of the cuckoo resulted in one actual postcard – thank you Mrs Cole – who told me she had heard the cuckoo twice at Arne this year. My request for any bits of Kingston news resulted in nil so consequently I have waffled!

The date for the showing of the refurbished altar frontals is now set for 16 July in the Church with music, by Roderick, and teas and the ladies of NADFAS who undertook the work. They will be bringing some photos to show how the work progressed etc.; it would be lovely if a few people came and looked and chatted with them (I’m not sure of the times but probably about 1pm till 5pm).

Another date for the diary is 2 September when we will be holding a small Fête in the Church grounds to raise funds for the repairs to the Church and for a local charity probably linked to helping people with cancer. You know what is coming next; I will surprise you and leave asking for help until next month and also don’t forget the Air Ambulance Summer Fayre which is on 9 July; The Air Ambulance does such great work so lots of support please from everyone to raise funds for them.

On a more serious note – I am sure you will all have heard by now that Gaynor, our Vicar, will be leaving us to go and work in Wales in August. I am not entirely sure what will happen next but there is a meeting next week and after that we will know a little more. Gaynor arrived just in time to meet my mother a few times before her death and in the space of six years took three funeral services for my family (my mother, father and husband) which she did beautifully. Thank you, Gaynor.

Finally, ‘get well soon’ and a virtual hug from me, for Diane Cole who has been in the wars recently and is feeling a little bit miserable, here is one of my mum’s favourite little poems to cheer you up; it always made her laugh.

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He’d paid his debt to society; his sentence was over at last,

He collected his meagre belongings, and said goodbye to his past,

The bars clanged shut behind him as he stepped through the prison door,

“I’m free” he shouted “I’m free” – a little boy said “I’m four”!

Susan Ireland

WW2 Mustang Crashes near Smedmore Hill

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Paul Doyle of Bere Regis is researching the crash locations of three WW2 Mustang fighter-bombers that crashed near Smedmore Hill on 26 May 1943 and is keen to hear from anyone who may be able to shed more light on the precise crash locations, in particular AP210 ‘Y’ which went down one mile NE of Smedmore House (just south of West Orchard) and AG550 ‘U’ which crashed into Stonehill Down 2 miles north of Smedmore House.

If you can help, please message info[at]kingstonopc.org.uk and we will put you in touch with Paul.

Message from David Cook

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Like David Cooper (who has produced an excellent history of the Cooper family), my father Christopher Seward Cook is also a great grandson of Charles Seaward Cooper.

My father celebrated his 100th birthday on 15th January 2017! His grandmother was Eliza, the second child of Charles and Sarah Cooper. Eliza married Walter Cook from Rusper and they had two children:

  • Seward James Cook (my grandfather) who married Clara Ethel Brain. Seward James was a member of London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) and killed in World War 1 on 16 June 1917.
  • Florence Cook.

I am also trying to establish why Seward James Cook was apparently also called Sid.

Village News – December 2016

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Kingston Christmas Party

We will be holding a Christmas Party/get-together for the village this year at the Scott Arms – probably the week before Christmas – when the details/date have been sorted a poster will be put in the Scott Arms and leaflets through letter boxes! However, would be good to know if anyone would be interested in coming in advance – usual sort of thing – quiz, raffle, food etc – unless anyone has any brilliant ideas for something exciting and new – in which case please get in touch with Sue or Peter – who will be waiting with bated breath – for some sort of response from anyone! Be great to have some fresh input/help with this event!

Telephone: 481372 (Susan Ireland) and 480212 (Peter Buckle)

Christingle Oranges

If any child would like an orange at the Christingle Service, Kingston this year which will be held on Christmas Eve could you please get in touch with Susan or Peter on the numbers above – thanks.

Sue Ireland

Village News – October 2016

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The recent Flower, Craft and Music Festival held at St James’ Church, Kingston was a great success. It started on Friday night with a concert featuring The Military Wives’ Choir from Bovington, Woodwind Trio Zephyrae and the solioist Rosie Horn. All were a pleasure to listen to, so talented, and the impromptu rendition of Panis Angelicus from Rosie Horn with the woodwind trio was delightful.

The Flower and Craft Festival was on Saturday and Sunday and was much enjoyed by all who attended. The church looked wonderful with all the flower arrangements and crafts. There was also music at times during the weekend from Zephyhrae, Roderick Raley on the organ with Felicity Smith on the violin, The Swanage Recorder Group and proceedings were brought to a close by Harmony Rocks Choir on Sunday afternoon. Many thanks to all the performers and also to Claire who is musical director of both The Military Wives and Harmony Rocks.

We would like to thank everyone who helped to make the event a success – the musicians, the flower arrangers and the people who displayed and demonstrated their crafts, the stallholders and the ladies who made cakes and everyone who helped with the refreshments, the setting up and the clearing up afterwards. We would also like to thank Albury and Hall Estate Agents for sponsoring and erecting advertising signs and James Smiths Funeral Directors for sponsoring the programmes. I hope we have remembered to thank everyone for giving up their time to help. We could not have run the event without you all.

Judy Forgan & Doreen Farr

Gravestone Image – Jesse William & Bessie Beatrice Marsh

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Photo of gravestone taken in 2015 by Jan Marsh

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Inscription

Jesse William Marsh was born at Kingston on 14 May 1892 to Charles Marsh (1858-1936), a carter, and Sarah Marsh nee Tatchell (1858-1927) who were living at West Hill. Between 1901 and 1911, the family moved to Orchard Hill. Soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Jesse was serving his country. He is thought to have been with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Jesse married Bessie Beatrice Bray at Kingston on 11 September 1916. At the time Jesse was residing at South Farnborough. Bessie was born on 18 January 1894. Her father was named as William John Bray on the marriage record but further investigation suggests her father’s middle name may have been Henry instead. The witnesses were John Marsh (brother of Jesse) and Katherine Hunt.

Jesse and Bessie continued to live at Orchard Hill. It is thought they had three children (born 1920, 1922 and 1924) but none were living at home in September 1939 when Jesse gave his occupation as Farm Foreman.

Bessie saw the RAF airplane immediately before it crashed on 18 March 1938 – see Three Killed in R.A.F. Accident.

Bessie died on 22 December 1945 aged 51 and was buried at Kingston New Church two days later (Christmas Eve). Jesse survived her by just under eleven years. He died aged 64 on 1 December 1956 and was buried three days later.

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Gravestone Image – Edward John & Winifred Annie Marshallsay

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Photo of gravestone taken in 2015 by Jan Marsh

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Inscription

Known information:

Edward John Marshallsay was born on 22 December 1892. He was known as John.

Winifred Annie Hobbs was born on 12 July 1899 to Leonard Hobbs (1866–1953) and Annie Hobbs nee Vincent (1858-1935). The family were living at Bushey in 1901 and 1911.

John married Winifred Annie Hobbs in the second half of 1930 and they are believed to have had two children, a son and a daughter. In September 1939, John, a clayworker and Winifred were living at Rose Cottage, Norden, along with one child (name not known).

Winifred was aged 76 when she died. She was buried at Kingston New Church on 7 August 1975. John lived to age 85 and was buried at Kingston New Church on 13 May 1977.

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