Kingston News – July 2018

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Kingston Festival in September will have Crafts, Music Flowers and more so please save the date (16 -23 Sept).

This summer we have had some young performers to delight us at Kingston, firstly the trio from Russia, who came in April and more recently at the PAW concert given by the English Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble. We had the Benefice Service at St James’ Church in early June and that same afternoon had a lovely Strawberry Cream Tea at Scoles Manor, so kindly hosted by Belinda and Peter Bell. How beautiful to enjoy an English afternoon tea with the most lovely views across the Isle of Purbeck and beyond. Thank you so much for the kind hospitality and also to those people who supported the event as their donations raised £227 for the Church. We ourselves enjoyed our Open Garden Days and were grateful to all who came as we raised £333 for Weldmar Hospicecare as well as £130 for Widows in Ukraine, who are helped by the charity Hope Now.

The Kingston Country Fair for the Air Ambulance will be even bigger this year and held once again at Kingston Courtyard by courtesy of Alan and Ann Fry. The Saturday evening Music event starts at 6pm with a BBQ and support bands, but we are all really looking forward to the special performance by the amazing Fab Beatles – who will perform later on. Having seen them a few times before, in Devon and Somerset, I can really recommend this as a night not to be missed – they will bring all our favourite oldies and look the part too. Tickets are just £10 (07971 764823) or from Doreen (07506235038). Don’t forget Saturday, 7 July!

The next day, 8 July, there will be a whole host of fun activities – Dog show, classic cars, model airplanes, including the Vulcan in action, plenty of stalls, cream teas local hog roast, huge raffle, vintage vehicles, and much more. Just £5 a car with proceeds going to the valued Air Ambulance which serves this area. In case people were wondering, we are having a Family Service 11.15 at St James’ Church that day, led by Revd Tony Edmunds.

There will be Communion with Revd John Staples on 22 July at 11.15. There will be a special Patronal service at 9.30am on Sunday, 29 July at St James’ Church (informal – as it is a 5th Sunday).

It is unlikely that we will manage a fête in the village this year however, please Save the date for a Festival Week in September when we shall be trying to having various events to bring the Church and Community together. We are hoping to hear from local writers, businesses musicians and people who are passionate about their hobby. There will be crafts, flowers, Tower visits and Open Days to bring together people in the area enjoy catching up with others. Details will be released next month via the Dubber, the website and facebook. If you feel you would like to participate in any way please phone Doreen (07506 235038) or Judy (07724 325735) but do put the date in your diaries. Music afternoon with Cream Teas, 16 September, and various events through the week culminating with Open Days and a Celebration Service on Sunday, 23 September. In the meantime – enjoy the summer weather and the beautiful area we live in and share it joyfully with those who only manage to visit for a few days a year.

Judy Forgan

Village News – February 2018

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The St. James’ PCC would like to wish Kingston residents and everyone in the Benefice a Happy New Year.

Following the very well attended and much enjoyed Advent Service in December and the Christingle on Christmas Eve we now look forward to the year of 2018 and the challenges it will bring. Many thanks go to Becca Charron for organising the Advent Service and to Sue Ireland plus Peter and Cynthia Buckle for the Christingle. The retired clergy assisting us by covering our services during the Interregnum are proving to be a delight to work with and our grateful thanks go out to all of them.

The Benefice Service on 4 February will be held at Kingston at 10.30am. The occasional singers will be in attendance; their singing adds greatly to the services and it is always a pleasure to listen to them. Please come along to join us if you can and we extend a warm invitation to all Kingston villagers and everyone in the Benefice as a whole. The service will be followed by coffee and refreshments. Hope to see you there.

Doreen Farr

Village News – December 2017

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On Sunday, 3 December at 6pm we are again holding an Advent Carol Service at St James’ Church at Kingston. It was a lovely service last year with over 70 people attending and we would like to make this year’s service even better attended. The service is led by Becca Charron and has Advent readings, carols and wonderful music and it is an inspiring way to start the Christmas celebrations. So please come along and join us – we would love to see you. The service is followed by mulled wine and mince pies for everyone to enjoy.

On a more sober note you will no doubt have heard that last month someone stole our ornate lion’s head door handle from St James’! This caused great upset and some inconvenience as we were unable to open the main door. We have since removed the other door handle until we can source a replacement for the stolen one which will be extremely expensive to replace. Two “utility” door handles have been fitted for the time being. How sad that someone could stoop so low as to steal from a church that is left open for the public to enjoy its peaceful, spiritual and uplifting atmosphere.

We would like to wish all attendees of the Church, residents of Kingston and the Benefice as a whole a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the blessings of Christmas be with you all.

Doreen Farr

Christingle at Kingston

This year’s Christingle Service at Kingston is on 24 December at the usual time of six o’clock. Please let me know if you would like a Christingle orange – by emailing me on susie2ireland@yahoo. co.uk.

Sue Ireland

1943: We’ve never found anywhere like it on earth

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Gerald C. White served in Italy during World War 2 and while there he composed a poem about Kingston and the surrounding area.

We are grateful to his daughter Margaret King neé White for giving us permission to reproduce it below.

O peaceful hamlet nestling there
Under the crest of yonder hill,
What memories dear you bring to me’
Sweet memories that linger still.

I think, maybe, of lofty Swyre,
With its purple patch of heather bright,
And its glorious view of land and sea,
From Portland Bill to the Isle of Wight.

Of Kimmeridge Bay with its squat watch tower,
With Gad Cliff beyond, in the shimmering haze,
And Smedmore hiding ‘mong the trees there,
Where I’ve spent many pleasant Saturdays.

Then, gazing eastward t’ward the vale,
Of Encombe, lying far below,
The tree-cald slopes and meadows green,
What a peaceful scene in these days of woe.

Then beyond again, where the Egmont Cliffs,
Reach out to meet the Channel tide,
And the craggy height of St Albans Head,
Standing strong and bold on the other side.

Of Chapman’s Pool, just beyond our view,
Where we spent pour childhood holidays,
Of the rock-strewn shore so deserted now,
But alive with vivid yesterdays.

Further still, the spire of Worth’s ancient church,
And the tiny village of Purbeck stone,
With the snow-white cliffs of Ballard Down,
Where “Old Harry” keeps his watch alone.

Then, turning north east I can plainly see,
The beginning of Branksome’s lovely chine,
Then the Isle of Brownsea in the harbour of Poole,
Where B. P. And his scouts camped the very first time.

The line of the Purbecks runs straight ‘cross my view,
From Ballard and Nine Barrow Down to the east,
To Corfe’s ruined Castle, where an ancient Brave Dame
Fought bravely, till gunpowder ended the siege.

Then westward again where the Barrow of Creech
Has the village of Knowle nestling under its breast,
And beyond,in the distance, where Flower Barrow’s tip
Looks on Lulworth, whose cove is the nicest and best.

Strolling back along the hillside,
And into the road at London Doors,
Now bereft of tourist traffic,
Till blessed peace comes to our shores.

Leaving Orchard Hill behind us,
Through field of corn, or furrowed earth,
Thence thro’ wood of elm and ash trees,
And so the village of my birth.

As I walk through the clean and tidy streets,
What memories dear are here portrayed,
With school chums trundling iron hoops,
From the blacksmith’s shop where they were made.

Mem’ries of Guy Fawkes night returning,
The “Cross” with a bonfire blazing high,
While children’s laughter still re-echoes,
Thro’s the crimson flow of the evening sky.

The old village pump still stands alone,
In the midst of the quiet village street,
It was our mainstay in days of drought,
And where, as lads, we used to meet.

I gaze on the church’s beautiful tower,
And hear, in my dreams, its lovely bells,
Ringing out their message of gladness,
To Purbeck folk o’er hills and vales.

Many an hour I have spent in that tower,
And looked from the top on the view far and near,
And have sat in the belfry watching the ringers,
On the eve and dawn of another New Year.

Sweet memories too of the lofty chancel,
Of friends in the choir stalls at morning and night,
Of the happy hours I’ve spent by the organ,
List’ning to music, forever so bright.

Mem’ries of my happy wedding,
And of my bride in radiant white,
And the christ’ning of our baby daughter,
On a cold day in Spring, the dear little mite.

Then the old village school where I learnt as a youngster,
With “Awlward” beyond where we played in the hay,
Where we jumped and races and scrambled for biscuits,
And the village turned out on our annual Treat Day.

When the old village Band played at night for the dancing,
On the lawn in the twilight and out in the Square,
Now popping inside the “Scott Arms” for a “bitter”,
Till merriment rose on the sweet summer air.

Mem’ries still green of the old Recreation Room,
Keen games of billiards, snooker, and darts,
With the pals that are now scattered over the Universe,
Some day we’ll meet again, joy in our hearts.

Now my thoughts still stray on, up the steep “Knapp of Matthe”,
To the turf of the sports ground on the hill top at “Drawn”’
Where we fought many “battles of cricket and football,
And have made many friends in the Pavilion.

Of the old village shop where I bought my first “sweeties”,
And fetched jugs of milk for the family store,
Thoughts of choristers’ suppers and Sunday school parties,
With a Christmas tree later and crackers galore.

And memories, too, of the “Hall” on the turnpike,
Converted, for social events manifold,
Thoughts of Whist Drives and Dances and Amateur Drama,
And the broadcast of Hardy’s “Three Strangers of Old”.

Of rambles to Bradle and Orchard and Willwood,
Of that dear little cottage in which I was born,
Of the blackberries, hazelnuts, chestnuts and flowers,
Which we sought for, and found, in this valley of our’n.

I think of my home, in the Lane round the corner,
Of think of my wife who’s waiting so bravely for me,
And my mother who’s thinking forever about me,
And my five year old daughter just chuckling with glee.

These are some of my thoughts, and the thoughts too of others,
Not so far away from the place of our birth,
But, wherever we’ve travelled, through Afric’ or Europe,
We’ve never found anywhere like it on earth.

G. C. White

Village News – November 2017

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Most will know that there is to be a further development in the way the two benefices of the Purbeck Hills and the Corfe Valley are organised and work together.

As well as being neighbours we have been, what is technically known as, a group ministry since the late 1970s. This permits incumbents to minister in each of the benefices. The nature of this has varied over the years. lf you speak to people who were around in the 1980s, they will tell you about several joint ventures – a joint mission lead by the Franciscans from Hillfield, for example. lf you dig around in some of our vestry cupboards you will find copies of leaflet about the St. Aldhelm Group; that was the name chosen for the Group. In more recent times, we have worked together in a more background way. I have myself valued working with both Judith and Gaynor and getting to know the churches, both buildings and congregations, of the Purbeck hills.

At the moment formal consultations are taking place about the proposed changes and it is important we allow space for that to happen. All our PCCs, the patrons of the parishes and I are involved as well as others in the deanery and diocese being notified. As you know the proposal is that we become one benefice and so there will be an incumbent based at Corfe Castle and a ‘house for duty’ priest based at Langton looking after the respective parishes as organised at present but working together. An appointment to the post based in the Purbeck Hills’ parishes will be made as soon as possible; although, we cannot at the moment say when this will be.

It is difficult to explain everything in a short article. Do speak to the Churchwardens and PCC members in the Benefice if you have questions and pass on any thoughts or suggestions. Obviously it is a time of change and some uncertainty. However, it is most encouraging that there is a very positive approach in the Purbeck Hills’ parishes.

I hope we can continue with a glass half full (rather than half empty) approach. Whether or not we have ‘Rev’ in front of our name, we all have a part to play. Above all, seeking to be open to God and supporting each other, we can trust God that the life and witness of our Christian communities will continue and flourish.

Ian Jackson
Revd. Ian Jackson, Parish of Corfe Castle

Your Messages: The Sansom Family

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I have just found this by accident, some I already knew but lovely to see photos. We used to visit relatives in Kingston, my father, George Henry Nelson Hirst, was the son of Alice and grew up at Berea Down. I have inherited a clock which was an engagement present from Henry to Eliza?

Thank you to all who have contributed to this, I don’t have much to add but will try to find out more.

I still like to visit Kingston and did so only a month ago with my son and took him on a mini tour pointing out to him where Alice and Wink, Rene, Hilda & Henry all lived all those years ago.

Gina Benson (nee Hirst)

Village News – October 2017

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We are having a ‘Spring cleaning morning’ in Kingston church on Monday 3 October starting at 10am, if anyone is interested in coming to help us. Coffee, cake and a warm welcome will be supplied if you wish to join us to polish brass and give the church a bit of TLC. Any help will be much appreciated.

Just reminding you all that our Harvest Service is on Sunday 8 October at 11.15am followed by our Harvest Lunch in the Church. This will be soup and a ploughmans. Please ring me on 480837 if you would like to come. I have had a couple of people telephone but would love to have more.

Looking forward to seeing you on 3 or 8 October or maybe both!

Doreen Farr

Concert News – September 2017

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Americans in harmony in this day and age? Can it be? Yes it can!

Showing exactly how it can be done in St James’ Church, Kingston, at 7pm on Thursday, 28 September, will be 16 talented young singers from Vermont in the USA. Called Northern Harmony, they comprise the top performing group under the umbrella of the world music organisation Village Harmony, which sponsors singing camps and workshops in New England and in many other parts of the world. Now making its 18th tour of Europe since it began in 1993, the choir has won an enviable reputation for its exceptional command of singing styles from around the globe. Hence its intriguing programme ranges from the rich sounds and syncopated rhythms of South Africa to American shape-note singing derived from the community singing schools of 18th Century New England to the ancient threepart harmony singing tradition of Georgia and its darkly sonorous tones. Most of the singers have studied these and other folk 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. Admission to the concert in Kingston church will be free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of both the church and the choir. Refreshments will be offered in the interval.

Robin Stringer

Village News – September 2017

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Thanks

I missed last month’s Dubber to thank everyone who helped with the Church stalls at the Air Ambulance Fete at Kingston Courtyard. We had a very successful day and raised £180 for Church funds. Thank you to Judy Forgan for her plants and for her help and also to Peter and Cynthia Buckle and Judy Robson for their help on the day. Thank you to everyone who came to our stalls on the day and also a big thank you to Alan and Anne Fry for having our stalls at the fete.

Harvest Service

Advance notice of our Harvest Service which is on Sunday, 8 October at 11.15am at St James’ Church. We are going to have a Harvest Lunch after the service instead of a Harvest Supper. Everyone is welcome and if you are intending to come it would be helpful if you could let us know so we can cater accordingly. Please telephone Doreen on 480837. There is an answerphone if I am unavailable. We look forward to seeing you there.

We are also looking for someone from Kingston to write a piece in the Dubber in place of Gaynor’s column in rotation with someone from Langton and Worth. If anyone out there would like to do this please contact Katie at the office or Doreen on the above phone number.

Doreen Farr

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