Kingston (near Corfe Castle)
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DORSET OPC
News from Kingston -
The following ‘News from Kingston’ is provided courtesy of ‘The Dubber’ which is published monthly and which also includes news from sister parishes of Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers and Harman’s Cross.
DECEMBER 2012
Christmas Tree Festival
The Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival is being hosted by St James Church, otherwise known as the Cathedral of Purbeck, for four days starting on Thursday, 29 November, until Sunday, 2 December.
There will be a lovely display of decorated illuminated trees by over 20 local groups, businesses and charities from the local area. Admission is free, with donations to the Children’s Hospice, Julia’s House and towards Church upkeep.
During the day there will be various music groups performing to help us focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Open each day from 10am – 4pm.
St George’s School Choir will be performing on Thursday 29 at 3.45pm, We are hoping for two sessions of hand bells, on Friday and Sunday, which sound so beautiful in the church. Also we have a visiting group, Local Vocals, from Stoborough, after lunch on Friday. Our bellringers will be hard at work on Saturday afternoon about 3pm and other contributions from local singers including The May Day Singers. There will be carol singing on the last day as the event draws to a close on Sunday, 2 December with a short advent celebration.
Evening Concert
A highlight of the Festival will be on Saturday, 1 December when there is a special evening concert at 7.30pm ‘Christmas with Canzonetta’. There is no charge but a retiring collection for Julia’s House. We shall be serving seasonal refreshments throughout the Festival.
Come and enjoy the celebration and soak up the traditional Christmas atmosphere in this unique situation and ponder a while remembering the very first Christmas ...many years ago, in a little town, called Bethlehem.
Our thanks to all who have worked hard to put this event on, from Langton, Worth, Corfe, Kingston, Harmans Cross, even two from Ferndown and Westbourne. Some of the musicians and bellringers have travelled from Wool and Bere Regis and beyond, so do encourage your friends and family to come and visit. It will be a great way to start your Christmas and at the same time support JULIA’S HOUSE, who help children and their families, struggling with illness and loss. This is a time for giving and forgiving, appreciating all the blessings we have each day.
Judy Forgan
NOVEMBER 2012
Kingston Church
Calling all businesses, organisations and families of the Purbeck Hills Parishes who wish to take part in the special Christmas Tree Festival at St James’ Church, Kingston at the end of November and during the first weekend of December. After the great success last year, we anticipate an even bigger event with more local people choosing to display a tree. Lots of businesses and organisations from the Purbeck Villages were able to promote what they do. This year it will also be possible to have Family Trees, so why not start to plan how you and your family might like to decorate your tree?
You are invited to sponsor a tree for four days, decorating it with unique decorations, together with an opportunity to provide some publicity about your group. You will then be able to have the tree for your own use over the rest of the Christmas period. This year we are also looking to make available some Nordmann trees if preferred, as well as Norway Spruce, as the intention is that each tree will be yours afterwards for display at home, in the office, at work, outside the hall, (wherever your group chooses) from 3 December.
Space may have to be limited so please email Judy Forgan before 15 November, as we need to order trees by then.
As some people missed out on visiting last year, we are planning an extra day of viewing for the general public, hopefully to include the Thursday and Friday as well as the weekend. The festival will start on Thursday, 29 November and run through until Sunday, 2 December. There is scope also for more music presentations during this year’s event so if your group would like to be involved please contact me. We shall celebrate advent with approximately 30 real trees, leading to an illuminated wooden nativity tableau, which will create a wonderful sight for us all to enjoy.
There will be music presentations at certain times throughout the festival, and also an evening concert on Saturday 1 December. We also hope to hear the 10 church bells ringing, and on Sunday, 2 December familiar Christmas carols will be played on the splendid organ.
There will be plenty of seasonal refreshments and invitations to a wide range of Christmas events across the two Benefices of the Purbeck Hills and the Corfe Valley. Please come and be inspired, as we aim to bring the focus back onto Jesus this Christmas, so that everyone who visits the Festival will be reminded of the true meaning of CHRISTmas.
Entry is free, with donations being shared between the Children’s Hospice, Julia’s
House, and St James’ Church. Please see the website www.kingstonopc.org.uk for further
details of concert + daily programme. Bring your friends and family to what promises
to be a memorable start to the Christmas season. A warm welcome awaits you. Festival
Opening times as follows: 29 November 1-
Judy Forgan
Harvest at Kingston
Thank you to everyone who came and decorated the Church so nicely for our Harvest
Service and also for the donations of harvest produce we received. We had a lovely
Service in the Church and we had our Harvest Supper there. A big thank you to the
Scott Arms for supplying the delicious cottage pie everyone enjoyed and an equally
big thank you to Edward WW who stepped in at the last minute to be auctioneer of
the harvest produce -
Lack of a Village Hall at Kingston means the Church sometimes gets used for events
other Churches may not host -
Sue Ireland
OCTOBER 2012
It has been pleasant enjoying a late summer and now seeing all the autumn berries and wonderful colours of the trees. At Kingston we have had some high class music at the concerts by both Natalie Clein and friends and more recently by the superb choir of the Royal Holloway College. May we, as a PCC, express our thanks to all performers and also those who kindly supported the events and played a part in organising them. At the time of writing, we are looking forward to the Harvest events – Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 30 September at 11.15am and the Harvest Supper on Monday, 1 October. Thank you again to Simon and Team and all who help to make this such a special event.
It was a beautiful day when Alan and Emily were married, a great atmosphere and some hearty patronal singing, which filled the church and even saw Union Jacks being waved! Our best wishes to you both and also to Adele and Robert on their special day.
During October, we have the usual three services, all at 11.15am:-
Christmas Tree Festival
After the great success last year, we anticipate an even bigger event with more local people choosing to display a tree. Lots of businesses and organisations from the Purbeck Villages were able to promote what they do (25 trees last year). This year it will also be possible to have Family Trees, so why not start to plan how you and your family might like to decorate your tree? As some people missed out last year, we are planning an extra day of viewing for the general public, hopefully to include the Thursday and Friday as well as the weekend. The festival will start on Thursday, 29 November and run through the first weekend of December ending on Sunday, 2 December.
This year we are also looking to make available some Nordmann trees if preferred,
as the intention is that each tree will be re-
There is scope also for more music presentations during this year’s event so if your group would like to be involved please contact me.
Space may have to be limited so please let me know soon via email if you would like to be put on the mailing list when the forms are available. More details in the next Dubber.
Judy Forgan, on behalf of Kingston PCC
Final Fête Thanks
Just a quick mention of the Fête which already is a distant memory of rushing around-
Susan Ireland
Harvest
As Judy mentioned in the last Dubber issue we will be decorating the Church on Saturday
29 September at about 4.30pm this year -
Susan Ireland
SEPTEMBER 2012
FÊTE REPORT
Firstly, we want to thank all those who came along to support the Annual Fête – over 1000 people attended and again there was a lovely atmosphere. We were a little stretched to man all the stalls and had an abundance of produce to sell…. especially books and a big thank you to all who contributed with cakes, toys etc.
The Dog Show was really popular and it was lovely chatting to proud owners with their beautifully groomed canine friends, with rosettes on display. Over 90 people went up the tower, even though it was a bit misty.
It was fun to hear the Digeridoos and watch the friendly ferrets. Our thanks to Jason and George and all others who contributed in any way to make our Fête so enjoyable.
Once again a special thank you to Peter and his team for all the hard work in making it all happen. We are pleased to report that we made approximately £4000.
HARVEST EVENTS
There are a few significant dates to note in September but please jot down the Harvest Festival Service and let’s make it a lovely village event for Kingston. Contributions can be brought to St James’ Church on Saturday, 29 September from about 4.30pm as there is a wedding at 2.30pm.
We would welcome a variety of harvest contributions -
This is the time of year that we bring a token of our thanks for God’s daily provision
for all our needs, whether we are talking about food, shelter, health needs, clothes,
heating or income. He is ‘Jehovah Jireh’-
Having just watched a programme about the mining people who are so exploited in Mongolia, with little food, no safety or security, and living under canvas all year, even when it snows, it made me realise just how much we take for granted.
So, maybe we could use this time to reflect on the lovely benefits we have, living in this country, in beautiful Purbeck, with a roof over our head, food in our stomach and daily provision for most needs.
What a great God we have – providing us with so much... so let’s be happy to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
It would be really encouraging this year to see lots of people at both the Harvest Festival as well as the Harvest Supper.
Please ensure your name is on the list at the Scott Arms before Sunday, 23 September if you wish to come to the meal on Monday, 1 October. Also remind neighbours and friends to do likewise, we do not want people missing out!
WEDDINGS, CONCERTS, AND BELLS
We are looking forward to Saturday, 22 September when Rupert Gough, Director of Music at Royal Holloway College, will bring his choir to Kingston to give a concert in aid of the church. The choir is of high quality, having broadcast and recorded for Hyperion.
We can listen out for a Full Peal by Bellringers in the Tower on Wednesday, 12 September and also hear the bells when we have two weddings on 15 and 29. Our best wishes to the happy couples who have been planning their special day for a long time.
There will be another three-
SERVICES
There will be four services this month, all at 11.15am but no Mattins:-
If anyone would like prayer or a visit please contact Revd Gaynor Burrett or a member of the Benefice Pastoral team.
PCC
The next PCC Meeting is on Monday, 3 September at 2pm courtesy of George and Rosemary.
Judy Forgan, Kingston PCC
August 2012
KINGSTON FÊTE
Preparations are now in hand for our next big event which is the Annual Kingston Fête. It is now only a few weeks away on 18 August. Items are still required for some of the stalls.
Please contact the stall holders if you have any items for the Fête. Cakes will also be much appreciated for the cake stall. Last year many visitors complimented us on the lovely village atmosphere and we hope to have similar attractions again, with a range of side stalls.
Any offers of help would be greatly appreciated so if you would like to come on board please contact Peter.
Books – Honor Vass ; Raffle – Simon Phillips; Bottles – Angela Lardner; Tombola –
Sue Ireland; Bric-
Dog Show @ Fête
Remember to bring your dog to the Fête this year and join in our Fun Dog Show
We have classes for puppies, prettiest, handsomest, rescued dogs. There are also Fun classes and a Best Child Handler class. There will be rosettes for all winners.
Ferret Racing
If you haven’t seen this before come and enjoy the fun and laughter this always creates.
Food Glorious Food
We are grateful to the Scott Arms for helping to run the BBQ and Beer Tent. Purbeck
Ice Cream of course, will be available and also plenty locally home-
1pm Bellringers -
This will be taking place to draw us all to the Fête! The ringers love our bells and some travel quite a distance. Mike Pitman will have the Church Bell Tower open for lovely views from 2pm. There will be a Raffle: the first prize is a £250 Holiday Voucher (courtesy of Island Cottage Holidays). There are many other prizes
OTHER NEWS
Please note that on the 19 August there will be no service at Kingston Church as our little band of helpers will be busy clearing up after the Fête. Please accept our apologies in advance. However, we are looking forward to two lovely weddings this month of Sarah and Tim and later on in the month of Ashley and Rebecca. We hope both couples have a wonderful day and many special memories to cherish. There was a baptism service in July and we are looking forward to another at baptism at the August Family Service.
Last month there was a lovely concert by soprano Lauren Fowler, kindly arranged by Robin. Thank you to all who supported and helped this evening which raised £193.
I am hoping summer can now progress normally if the Jet Stream moves back to its usual position. But, as it says on the Fête posters ‘Come rain or shine’ we promise you a great afternoon on Saturday 18 August.
Judy Forgan, PCC Kingston
July 2012
What a month June was! Jubilee weekend, trombone concert, visit from the Bishops, something every week! So a big thank you to Peter Buckle who, again, has spent many hours in St James’ rearranging and being available for rehearsals etc. and thanks also to Cynthia, Robin and Myra for their tireless help in arranging the concerts. Bones Aloud, the visiting trombone duo, both very talented and enthusiastic musicians, brought a new sound to the village and helped to boost our funds considerably. We have another concert with a visiting soprano, Lauren Fowler, on Saturday, 7 July – see details elsewhere.
The building has been in use midweek as well, for Deanery events. Kingston, hosted a lunch for the new Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam in June, during his visit to the Purbeck area. Thanks to willing helpers joining together across the parishes of Corfe Castle, Langton, Worth and Kingston, a tasty meal of locally sourced food, including Purbeck Ice Cream, was served. This was an opportunity for the Bishop to meet some parishioners and also discover more about local businesses. Life in rural parishes is very different to that in bigger towns and we do sometimes need each other to be an effective team. Think of the acronym TEAM….Together, Everyone, Achieves, More
Isolated and on our own it is easy to feel discouraged and ineffective. Supporting each other is much more encouraging. We heard more along those lines two days later at the Deanery Synod Meeting in St James’ Church, when Chris Meadows gave a profound, but stirring presentation on ‘The challenges we face’, to Deanery representatives across the wider area, from Lulworth to Bere Regis and Studland. (more on that another time perhaps).
So hopefully, we are supporting one another’s efforts, whether village fête, film night, coffee pot, open gardens, whatever. We are very spoilt with so many things happening locally that we can join in. People who work hard to put on events or bring together projects, such as the History Project are always encouraged when others come alongside and contribute. I know Terry Hardy has pulled together a lot of information, but he would really value some more contributions about village life in Kingston… photos, memoirs, post cards, even artefacts. If you haven’t seen the website, it is worth having a look and quite easy to email Martin White with anything you could include, even a few anecdotes. www.kingstonopc.org.uk. Lots of fascinating photos (do you remember 1961 the seal at Chapman’s Pool?)
Preparations are now in hand for our next big event which is the Annual Kingston
Fête at 2pm on 18 August. It is now only a few weeks away and items are still required
for all of the stalls. Please contact the stall holders if you have any items for
the fête. Cakes will also be much appreciated for the cake stall. Last year many
visitors complimented us on the lovely village atmosphere and we hope to have similar
attractions again, with a range of side stalls. Any offers of help would be appreciated
and if you have any new ideas contact Peter (480212). Books – Honor Vass (477105);
Raffle – Simon Phillips (480421); Bottles – Angela Lardner (480388); Tombola – Sue
Ireland (481372); Bric-
Dog Show @ Fête
Remember to bring your dog to the Fête this year and join in our Fun Dog Show
We have classes for puppies, prettiest, handsomest, rescued dogs. There are also Fun classes and a Best Child Handler class. There will be rosettes for all winners.
Patronal Benefice Communion Service
To celebrate St James’ Day, there will be a special Patronal Benefice Service, on Sunday, 22 July but please note the time is 10.30am that week. On the same day Churches from Wareham, Swanage and surrounding villages will be joining together for Combined Evening Praise 6pm at All Saints Church, in Swanage. Our other morning services on 8, 15 and 29 will be at 11.15am. Don’t forget the special Olympic Pilgrimage Walk on 1 July, which will finish with a service at St Aldhelm’s Chapel, led by the Bishop of Sherborne, Graham Kings.
I would encourage you to call in sometime to simply enjoy the serene tranquillity of Kingston Church. Come during daylight hours, to simply soak up the peace, with sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows, listening to birdsong outside, while reflecting on just how blessed we are in this beautiful corner of England. It is very therapeutic, uplifting and free…so cherish every day God gives us and try not to take life for granted.
Judy Forgan, St James’ Church PCC
Two happenings on 7 July…
Kingston has a lovely tower with 10 bells. Our band of ringers will be attempting
a three-
Mike Pitman, Tower Captain
…Concert with Lauren Fowler
On the same Saturday from 7.30pm we welcome Lauren Fowler, a soprano, to sing Songs for a Summer Evening at St James’ Kingston. There is free admission to the concert with retiring collection in aid of the church fabric. Light refreshments also available in the intermission.
June 2012
May has been our busiest month yet with several events happening for the first time. The weather has not made it easy, but we had some fun at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Davril supplied plenty of big and small bears and the church really did look great. We had a few new faces and were able to welcome them to Kingston…while enjoying plenty of tea and cakes. Thanks to all who helped, in various ways, especially Roderick playing the organ and Felicity on the violin and Mike with his team of bell ringers, not to mention Terry with his recent photos. A few brave people climbed the tower that day and a couple of keen teddies came down the indoor zip wire!
On Ascension Day, an unusual morning greeting came from the top of the tower at 7am when a group of ladies sung from on high.
So what is Ascension Day? During the forty days which followed Easter, Jesus kept appearing to his followers in different places. This day marks the last physical, earthly, appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection at Easter. Having promised the Holy Spirit, as a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’, He then ascended to Heaven. Soon afterwards He sent His Holy Spirit to be a constant guide and comfort to all believers on earth (which is celebrated at Whitsun or Pentecost). Most years our Bank Holiday is at that time, but of course this year it has been moved on a week to link better with the Jubilee.
By the time you read this many will have already enjoyed the wonderful concert by Salisbury Cathedral Choir and the delicious Strawberry Cream Teas… thank you Belinda! Thank you also to Purbeck Ice Cream, for your kind provision when we catered for the choir.
As we begin our Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, do try to come on Sunday, 3 June (10.30 coffee, for 11am start) to the special PAW Coffee Concert ‘In Honour of a Jubilee’ Also, on Sunday, 10 June we have four trombonists at 3pm, followed by tea and cakes.
Not long now until the long waited summer holidays, and of course the Olympics. When life begins to revert back to normality, if there is such a thing, perhaps you could start sorting through for useful items which can be recycled at the Annual Kingston Fete. Please let Peter and Cynthia know if you are able to help (480212) and also if you are able to provide any items…books, cakes, toys, raffle prizes, bottles, plants etc. More details next time. Enjoy the celebrations!
Judy Forgan on behalf of Kingston PCC
May 2012
NEWS FROM KINGSTON VILLAGE
Open Day -
In May, on Bank Holiday Monday (7 May) St James’ Church is having an Open Day with
a Teddy Bears’ Picnic theme. It will be a great family day, fun for the children
and also an opportunity for adults to hear the lovely organ, played by our organist,
Roderick Raley. We will also have the History Exhibition about the Church on display
and if possible, we will open the Tower at certain times for viewing and hopefully
we shall be able to hear the bells too. This is an open event for anybody who wants
to join us. Please bring your own ‘picnic lunch’, however we shall be providing soft
drinks and teas and coffees during the afternoon. Why not bring your family and friends
(and favourite teddy of course) and join us for the afternoon? The day will run from
12.30-
On Monday 21 May Salisbury Cathedral Choir will be singing and we advise you to come
early as it will be a very popular event. The performance will be starting at 7.30pm.
We are very grateful to Robin Stringer for arranging the concerts at Kingston. 
Reverend Gaynor Burrett and Cederic leading the Palm Sunday procession
On Palm Sunday, there was a wonderful sight of a real donkey (Cederic) leading a procession of people through Kingston village, carrying palm crosses, palm branches, with singing led by the Purbeck Singers, for the Palm Sunday Benefice Service. Over 100 people attended. With people watching also along the street and such beautiful sunshine, it was a perfect occasion to remember the joyful procession of Jesus into Jerusalem. As a Benefice we also reflected on the distress and agony of Jesus, leading up to his death and had a special service on Maundy Thursday, which included foot washing, and also a time of prayer and readings on Good Friday. The Easter Sunday dawn service at 5.30am was held in St Aldhelm’s Chapel together with an early breakfast of fish, cooked over an open firepit, symbolizing Jesus’s reappearance to his disciples. On Easter Sunday morning too, it was a lovely to see so many younger children enjoying their Easter egg hunt after the service. There seems to be a new season of life coming into the Church which currently looks so beautiful with the daffodils in full bloom.
This year we have been delighted to welcome several young couples and their families as they join us regularly in preparation for their weddings in 2012.
In the 21st century we try to keep the new generation informed of events through our website (www.kingstonopc.org.uk). We are also very thankful for the Corfe Valley News and the Dubber, and all those who produce and circulate them through the year. They really help to publicise all that we try to do at Kingston.
Judy Forgan – PCC Secretary 
April 2012
KINGSTON NEWS
The PCC met recently and wish to inform people of the forthcoming Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 16 April in the Church to which all are invited. This is your opportunity to hear about developments over the last year and about the many positive things happening in the village of Kingston.
The evening starts at 7pm and will be held as usual in St James’ Church. Please come along if you can. We would welcome all who have past and present connections with the village and especially if you want to contribute to the Community Project.
Since last year some interesting details and photos have been added to the website
-
In the next few weeks quite a few special events are taking place in Kingston so please note them in your diary and come along to support as many as you can heart of this community.
Palm Sunday Procession 10.30am
To mark the start of Holy Week, Revd Gaynor Burrett will be holding the Benefice Service in Kingston Village. The morning starts at the Scott Arms, at 10.30am, with a cheerful outdoor procession along West Street, with people carrying palm branches and crosses and hopefully the visiting choir too. We can reflect on the welcome that Jesus received on his arrival at Jerusalem, before his betrayal and crucifixion as we move as a crowd to the Church. As present we are trying to find a donkey to come along also, so if you can help please let us know. On arrival at the church the Purbeck Singers, a combined choir of local and visiting singers will lead us for Holy Communion. It is always lovely see St James’ Church full, being used for prayer and worship, so don’t miss this special occasion as we join with friends from Worth, Langton, Harmans Cross and the whole Benefice.
On Maundy Thursday, 5 April we have a chance to continue the story, as told in the Bible, at St George’s Church, with the churches of the Swanage area joining us (7pm), and a reflective time of prayer at noon on Good Friday between the Parishes at Gallows Gore, symbolising the agony of the crucifixion.
Thankfully, we can celebrate on Easter Sunday the powerful Resurrection when Jesus rose from the dead as had been prophesied many years before. At Kingston our Easter Service will be at 11.15am, though some may choose to go to the Sunrise Service at dawn (approx. 5.30am) which will be held on the headland at St Aldhelm’s Chapel. This will be followed by fish grilled over a fire pit, resembling Jesus’ time after overcoming death, when He cooked a breakfast on the beach for his disciples. So, lots of encouraging ways to help us understand the truth and hope that Christian Faith is based upon.
Open Day
The Church has recently had a good spring clean, thanks to the team of willing helpers
and work is also beginning on the original Altar Frontals. The History project continues
to grow and will hopefully be available for viewing at our Family Open Day on 7 May.
This year things will be slightly different, and we hope to combine the Teddy Bears’
Picnic (BYO sandwiches!) event with having the Tower open, an exhibition organ music
and some homemade cakes and refreshments. This should appeal to all ages, so remember
to invite friends and family over to Kingston for a fun-
Other Forthcoming Dates
Friday, 20 April 7.30pm -
Wednesday, 2 May – Visiting Bellringers 3.30pm-
Ascension Day, Thursday, 17 May Singing from top of Kingston Church Tower starting at 7am followed by Holy Communion in the Church
Monday, 21 May – Salisbury Cathedral Choir Evening performance,
Saturday, 18 August – Kingston Fête, any volunteers to help please let Peter Buckle know.
Judy Forgan
Other Kingston news
The funeral of Mary Batten has taken place in Poole. Mary was 81 years old and had lived in Kingston for 51 years. She is survived by her husband Gerald, and a son and two daughters.
The Altar Frontals at St James’ Church were designed by George Street and embroidered 150 years ago and have suffered the ravages of time. For many years they have been too fragile to be used. Some ladies visiting the church took a great interest in them and have taken on the task of restoring them. NADFAS (National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies) are taking an interest in this project. A team of embroiderers have just started work, so, hopefully, in the not too distant future, these beautiful frontals will be on show again.
Greta Hardy
March 2012
KINGSTON NEWS
February has been a quiet wintery month with little going on except normal everyday life. The Scott Arms has kept very busy and dry weekends brought plenty of walkers to enjoy our village and countryside. Harry and his team have done an excellent job clearing the bank in South Street allowing the snowdrops to give a good show with a hint of Spring to come.
It is hard to believe that 60 to 70 years ago the village school was full of local children, a football team kept the young (and not so young) lads busy in the winter and a cricket team played in the summer. There was also a Woman’s Institute and enough villagers to stage a Pantomime at Christmas.
Anecdote
I saw this in the Parish Magazine on Dartmoor, and thought it might amuse Purbeck people as well!
A Catholic, a Baptist and an Anglican all died and went to heaven. St Peter opened the Pearly Gates and led them through to a hallway lined with doors. These, he explained, led to the places where they each would spend eternity.
For the Roman Catholic, Peter pointed to a heavily carved dark wooden door and said,
“Step right in there.” The Catholic opened it up to find a chapel lined with stained-
Peter turned to the Baptist and pointed to another door, with posters on it. The Baptist opened it to find a canvas tent with people singing and waving their arms to a lively band and a guitar playing pastor. “A praise meeting”. He rushed in and joined the crowd.
Finally Peter turned to the Anglican and guided him to a quiet brown wood door. Inside was a large table with people seated around, shuffling papers and looking faintly bored. The Anglican clapped his hands to his face in happiness. “A PCC meeting!”
Greta Hardy
STIRRINGS OF HISTORY IN KINGSTON
History is about ‘Yesterday’. Unfortunately, we usually forget or simply don’t bother to record what may seem to be unimportant today but which in the years to come may be of great interest to others and so it is with the history of the small but fascinating village of Kingston.
Recently much progress has been made on recording the history of St James’ Church and this is archived in St James’ Church – an Illustrated History. At the time of the inception of the idea to record some of the interior of the Church it was proposed that perhaps there should be a more extended illustrated history of the village.
Some interesting progress is being made and much has been recorded by Roy Hooper who was born in South Street on August Bank Holiday, 1931. Roy, now living at Creech, has wonderful memories of village life in Kingston from the early 1930s until the mid 1950s and hence the War Years. Material is being gathered and annotated – a tough but enjoyable task.
If anyone out there has any photographs from family albums or documents or anything of interest, no matter how small or at first sight insignificant, please email tlh@hashi.plus.com
If sufficient progress can be made, it is proposed that a display can be made in the Church at sometime in the future.
A coincidence of some proportion
A chance meeting of two Kingston men took place recently. One, a past resident, was born in Kingston in August 1931 in South Street and the other was myself, Terry Hardy. My wife Greta and I have lived in South Street for more than 20 years – right next door to the birthplace of Roy Hooper who now lives in Creech. Neither of us knew the other existed until meeting at an exhibition I had mounted to illustrate the history of St James Church. Sometime late last year, Roy and I met again to talk about Kingston and Roy’s memories as a boy and through the war years until the mid ’50s. First of all it emerged that Roy had been born in No. 12 and that the garden is now where my house, ‘Badgers’ was built in 1989/90.
Roy and I sat in our sitting room where Roy’s father, William, had his garden shed and where his Mother, Winifred, had so often walked in ‘our’ garden! This was the first time Roy had visited for many, many years and never to ‘Badgers’. The extra special interest in our meeting? It emerged in conversation that both Roy and myself were both enlisted to serve their two years of National Service in the first half of the 1950s. More than that, we both served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and we both served in the same training establishments and share the same vivid memories of those first few weeks of ‘Square Bashing’ and the attendant indignities and shared other never to be forgotten experiences. I served in Hong Kong and Roy elsewhere.
The bond almost all National Servicemen have was soon apparent and photographs shared. And now? Roy and I are trying to expand on recording the history of our village and in particular the village of the 1930s though to the mid 1950s. So there you have it: two young lads meet up after more than half a century.
Terry Hardy
KINGSTON CONCERTS
This year’s season of concerts begins on Saturday, 31 March, with an exciting merger between a group of singers from Purbeck and the newly formed City Consort of Voices chamber choir from London.
The creator and conductor of this new ensemble, called simply The Purbeck Singers,
is Tim Crosley, who is no stranger to the territory. He went to school at The Old
Malthouse in Langton Matravers in the early 1980s and in 2006 returned to help celebrate
the hundredth anniversary of the school by conducting the then newly-
In between times, he established himself in London as a leading tax lawyer and a
significant figure on the London music scene as conductor of the City-
Now he is coming back to St James’ again bringing singers from London to join with his friends in Purbeck in a programme of choral music by Tallis, Vaughan Williams, Britten and others. “It’s our most substantial venture yet,” he says, “and it should be good fun.”
Other concerts in the season will include in May the much-
Robin Stringer
February 2012
KINGSTON NEWS
SPRING IN WINTER
After the excitement of the Christmas activities, the Christmas Party at The Scott Arms, which Father Christmas managed to find time to visit, and the Party to welcome in 2012, also at The Scott Arms, Kingston settled back to its normal life. The unusually mild weather encouraged daffodils and primroses to bloom. The Ravens raucous calls could be heard as they circled the church tower, and at dawn birds were singing to claim their territory ready for the nesting season. A shock to them all in the middle of the month when we had a few sharp frosts. Perhaps winter is still to come.
FAREWELL
Gaynor Burrett, Priest in Charge (left) and David Scott, Churchwarden (right) present Elizabeth Crabbe (centre) with Terry Hardy’s Book on St James’ as a farewell gift
After many years in Purbeck, Elizabeth Crabbe has decided to leave us and spend her retirement in Wales. Her help and encouragement during her time here to our clergy has been invaluable and she will be much missed. We wish her much happiness in her new home.
Greta Hardy
January 2012
KINGSTON NEWS
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
The idea of a Christmas Tree Festival in St James’ Church, Kingston was put to the PCC with the expectation of 10 or 12 local groups joining in. No one could have foreseen what a ‘WOW’ it would be.
Twenty five groups signed to decorate a tree. Ray Harris did an incredible job wiring up lighting for every tree. Decorating started on 1 December and continued on the following morning.
With a church full of excited children and adults all lights were turned off ready for the grand ‘switch on’. At 4pm the switch was thrown and a blaze of light filled the Church. There were excited voices and children running to their tree to show parents and grandparents which decorations they had made. It is impossible to mention all of the trees, they were all so different and imaginatively decorated. The Church was full of visitors for the three days who had come to admire everybody’s efforts, to hear the children singing and the organ playing, and to the enjoy the hot sausage rolls and mince pies and cakes and hot and cold drinks which were being served. Due to the incredible generosity of our visitors, after all of the expenses were deducted a total of £650 was made which was shared with Julia’s House. The rest will help to warm our church for the rest of the winter.
Greta Hardy
...AND MORE
On behalf of the PCC at St James Church, Kingston, I would like to thank all those
who participated in the recent Christmas Tree Festival. The trees were intricately
decorated, in many imaginative ways to promote each group and there was a lovely
atmosphere of community. Thanks also to all those who visited the Festival and made
generous donations. We were very grateful to Ray Harris for his time and efforts
in setting up the lights, and also to all the willing helpers on the refreshments
team. Our thanks also to The Spar at Harmans Cross, Swanage Co-
Already people are thinking about next year, so if you might be interested in decorating a tree, either as a business, a local interest group or charity and perhaps as a family, please send an email soon in order to be added to next year’s mailing list. (forganj20@tiscali.co.uk)
We were also very appreciative of all who contributed towards the singing, music and bell ringing, also to Colin Garner for the very effective Nativity Scene. It was a lovely start to the Christmas celebrations and great to have the new boiler in action too for the Christmas Services.
Judy Forgan, Peter Buckle, George & Rosemary Pitman