From the Vicar...
It is June and for our nation, a season of Jubilee, marking 70 years since the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to the throne. However we feel about the monarchy, and I know that across our community there are a range of opinions and views, I am full of respect for the way the Queen has fulfilled her vocation to serve as both monarch and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.Faith is never a merely private matter, and while there may be drawbacks, I see immense value in having an established church at the heart of our political establishment, holding a space for dialogue and for the consideration of values that run deeper than those that are politically persuasive or expedient.
We don't have many trumpets in this edition of The Gander, but we do have stories of reconciliation and freedom, rest and care for people and for the earth. We share Revd Rosemary's inspiring sermon for Ascension Day and it's imperative to look outwards rather than upwards; news of the café for Christian Aid, on the frontline of human and environmental suffering.
Our Coffee Morning welcomes speakers who focus on care for the earth. Dorothy Oxley's fascinating article about how Bruno the Hawk helps prevent damage to people's homes, and her article on falls prevention describes how our local Community rehabilitation and falls service helps people to stay on their feet.
With a book review by Fayo Olatunde, our latest music list, an interview with Christine Camplin, as well as the first fascinating part of the life history of local resident Charlotte Finch, and an encouragement to give blood - this is a joyful jubilee feast. I hope you enjoy it,
Gill
*The Septuagint is the Greek translation of books from the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, in circulation in the third century BCE
New Archdeacon: Revd Jonathan Sedgwick was installed as Archdeacon of Southwark by the Bishop at the Cathedral on 15 May. Many members of St John's were able to attend the service.Southwark Sinfonietta Concert: Southwark Sinfonietta is a group of South London musicians who get together to play music from the classical era.
Their recent concert at St John’s was long delayed by Covid, and was most recently postponed from January. So it was a delight finally to hear the orchestra’s soaring sound on 22 May.
The programme included works by Mozart, Handel and Haydn and was conducted by Rupert Bond. St John’s Choir joined the orchestra for Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus. St John’s Director of Music John Webber was the soloist in Handel’s Organ Concerto Op 4 No 2 in B flat.The Choir provided refreshments in the interval. It was a most enjoyable concert with warm appreciation from the audience.
The Bridge: The June issue of the diocesan newspaper, The Bridge, is available to read here.
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting were held via Zoom on Sunday 15th May 2022 at 11.30am. More than 30 people were present.
Annual Meeting of Parishioners
Julie Whitney and Tayo Olatunde were elected as Wardens.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The Electoral Roll was revised in April prior to the meeting. There are now 144 people on the Roll (an increase from 139) with 49 resident in the parish.
Gill O’Neill thanked those who had completed their terms of office on the PCC: Christine Camplin, Martin Howell, Gill Nash. Chris Eldridge, Jayne Mallett, Kingsley Ogbonda, Maxine Plunkett and Lucy McGrath were elected to the PCC.
Due to circumstances beyond our control the 2021 Accounts were not available to the meeting. Following Diocesan recommendations, the PCC will approve them when they are completed and they will then be circulated to the congregation with the opportunity to ask questions.
The 2021 Annual Report was received and can be seen here. Printed copies will be available shortly.
Parochial Church Council
The first meeting of the new PCC took place on Wednesday 25 May.
Christine Camplin and Sarah Goudge were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer respectively and Julie Whitney was elected Vice-Chair of the PCC.
Topics discussed included finances and stewardship and how PCC members could best serve St John’s Church.
The next meeting of the PCC is on 22 June 2022.
Christine Camplin, PCC Secretary
Ascension Day Sermon
Revd Rosemary Shaw gave the sermon on Ascension Day, 26 May, this year. With her permission, we are pleased to reprint it for the benefit of all those who could not attend
Some words from the Creed:
“He ascended into heaven.
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory.
To judge both the living and the dead.”
We say these words often, they trip off our tongues but what do they mean? What actually are we celebrating on this Ascension Day? Let’s look at this for a few moments.
The chapel at Kings
Hospitals are hectic places, full of human drama and high technology. Kings is no exception to that and was near breaking point at the height of the pandemic and now faces huge backlogs of appointments and procedures.
At the centre of Kings is St Luke's chapel and Father Alistair spoke about this chapel last Sunday. As we have both worked as chaplains at KCH it is an important place for us both. The chapel is dedicated to St Luke, author of the third gospel, a doctor, and also author of the Acts of Apostles from which our first reading was taken.
As you enter the large chapel you are struck by a beautiful reredos behind the altar. It was dedicated to Katherine Monk, the first sister matron at KCH. From what I have read about her you would not have messed with her – she was the stereotypical old-style matron!
The reredos is very colourful and depicts Christ in glory, ruling over the world from his place at the right hand of the Father – you don’t get more high profile than that! He is surrounded by the angelic host. Lower down are words of Jesus “whatever you do for the least of these my brethren you do for me”. So we have depicted the risen, ascended, glorified Jesus but also the Christ of compassion and healing who calls his followers – you and me – to seek to reach out to the most needy and vulnerable in society.
By faith and not by sight
Today is Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter Sunday. In our first reading from Acts we read how whilst the Risen Jesus was speaking with his disciples, he was lifted from their sight. It is written from the first century view of the world – a flat earth, with heaven above and Hades beneath.
Before Jesus's death, and during his resurrection appearances, he had been preparing his followers for the time when they would no longer see him, when like us they would have to walk by faith and not by sight – not easy for any of us especially in these stressful days. However, the ascension does not lead to grief but in Luke's gospel we read the disciples were filled with joy as they returned to Jerusalem to await the giving of the Spirit to empower them to carry on the work of Jesus.
I like too that, as well as joy, we read how the disciples were wondering and disbelieving, for are we not also a mixture of emotions, of faith and doubt and questioning. This feast of Ascension however tends to be a neglected one squashed between Easter Day and Pentecost which we celebrate on Sunday week and which is often called the birthday of the Christian church. However to some of the early Church Fathers, it was the crown of all the great Christian festivals – the climax of all that had gone before and all that would follow in the Christian story.
How not Why
The important fact about Ascension is not HOW it happened but WHY and so briefly let me mention two points:
1. It can sound when we look at the words I quoted from the creed that Jesus went back to the Father leaving his followers in every generation to get on with his work and one day he will return to judge us as to how we have got on! Many of you will have seen the t-shirt with the words “Look busy – Jesus is coming back soon” But no, the Ascension is about His constant presence with us. In the account in Acts a cloud takes Jesus from sight but in the Bible clouds are not about the weather but are signs of His presence, so for example when the Israelites were fleeing slavery in Egypt they were guided day by day by a pillar of cloud. So although the disciples could no longer see Jesus they were assured he was in their midst. So we too have the wonderful promise of Jesus at the end of Matthew's gospel “Lo, I am with you every day even to the end of time.” How much currently do we need that promise and the assurance that in whatever we are facing or feeling, he is Emmanuel – God with us, who has not left us as orphans.
2. Secondly we are called to look not upwards but outwards. When Jesus went from their sight the disciples were asked why they were looking up into the sky – they needed to get on with the mission of the gospel - the good news.
We all know the expression, “He (or she) is so heavenly minded they are of no earthly use" but the fact is we need to be of earthly use for we are the body of Christ in the world now.
In the Eucharist we often say, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again”. We are warned by Jesus not to speculate on his coming again but He does come to us day by day in our lives if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. We are called to be lights in the darkness of the world remembering however daunting that is, that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. But we are not alone, for the ascended Lord has not withdrawn from the world but reigns over it, and, as the poet Tennyson wrote, “He is closer to us than breathing and nearer than hands or feet”.
So rather than gazing upwards, let us seek to look outward to the needs around us in our families, amongst our friends, in our neighbourhood as well as the wider world, to bring about the vision that the apostle Paul envisaged when he wrote from prison and probably chains, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
At all times and in all places
To help us do our part in bringing this about, Jesus prays for us and promises to be with us at all times and in all places. Yes we feel inadequate and unworthy, but let us remember that when Jesus lifted his hands to bless disciples they would have seen his wounds from the nails on the cross. The risen, ascended, glorified Lord ascended to God with his wounds, they are part of who he is. So too the wounds and scars we each carry are part of who we are.
May each of us on this Ascension Day know him within us, accepting and loving us but too challenging us to spread the good news of the Kingdom in the power of the Spirit as we are strengthened by his presence “Lo, I am with you every day…”
So let us pray:
"Lord take pity on us
your timid and fearful disciples.
Give us courage to witness to you in the world
so the gospel will be proclaimed
and men and women, girls and boys
will find their way into the Kingdom
and that we will come to know
that within the glorious Trinity
our wounds and scars are
accepted and welcomed”
The picture shows The Ascension by Giotto
On 22 May, for the second year running, St John’s held a Christian Aid Café as our key fundraising activity for Christian Aid Week. This year it felt even more essential than ever, with the climate crisis, the pandemic, conflicts affecting various parts of the world and now the global food supply crisis all meant people living in poverty needed our help more than ever. We had a further opportunity to attract customers to our café this year, as the Goose Green Fair took place opposite St John’s for the first time since the pandemic. It was great to be able to continue our pre-pandemic practice of making St John’s open for visitors to the area.
The St John’s bakers did a fantastic job of producing all manner of delicious cakes and biscuits. A bar was open serving soft drinks, Pimm's, beers and even Prosecco cocktails, which proved very popular! We also had some art and craft activities which lots of visitors enjoyed, and a stall selling home-made craft items and produce. We were blessed with a gloriously warm sunny day; it was worthwhile putting up the gazebos for the right reasons! As well as bakers lots of volunteers were involved in setting up, running stalls and clearing away; all their help is very much appreciated. We’re still counting up proceeds as many payments were made by card, but think we have raised in excess of £600.
It is always good to meet up for a chat. During May we had a very enjoyable and informative visit by Vicky Peet from Froglife, who led us in sunflower-related activities. We’re hoping Vicky will be able to visit us again more regularly.
We’re looking forward to a talk on the 8 June by Keith Turpin on Royal Southwark (see details opposite).
So, the rental company that owns practically all the buildings on three sides of The Gardens decided some action must be taken to stop the pigeons, in particular, making themselves quite so much at home. Nobody wanted to kill or harm them, so the options were either to make their perching places uncomfortable, or to try to scare them off. Spiky metal gadgets on windowsills and ledges were tried, but most of these very quickly ended up in the gardens beneath.
Then one day, it must have been a couple of years ago, I heard the most amazing, panic-stricken cacophony of bird alarm calls – and my cats definitely weren’t that feared as hunters (just two dead mice to date). So I went outside to check, and saw a hawk swooping and soaring. The landlords had decided to call in one of Safeguard Pest Control’s hawk teams. Today, they still visit on a regular basis, especially in the main mating season (though feral pigeons can breed all year round, producing up to four broods of chicks).
The current human and hawk team are Willow (the falconer) who introduced me to her hawk Bruno, a three year old bird who is still in training, which means that at present she just walks him round the square perched on her gloved arm, releasing him for short flights and calling him back again. Bruno’s a Harris hawk, not a species native to Britain – his wild ancestors came from South America – and as a male, he’s smaller than the females, but every feathered inch a top predator. He’s trained to be a deterrent, not to kill – though if I was a pigeon, I’d take one look at his sharp, curved beak, strong talons and very fierce golden eyes and take no chances.
His human partner, Willow, trained in the ancient art of falconry when volunteering for five years at a centre for hawks, owls and other ‘raptor’ birds, such as vultures, and there was an obvious rapport between her and her hawk – which was more than there was between Bruno and my cats. “He doesn’t like cats,” she informed me, as three of mine sauntered over to take a look at him; he expressed his opinion by shrieking at them and ‘bating’, raising his wings in threat. I admit I was rather glad he was tethered to Willow’s wrist at that point, though I’m sure his training includes leaving domestic pets alone!
Mind you, despite the obvious threat any hawk presents to wild birds, they are not all completely cowed. I think the small garden birds just keep quiet in the bushes now when the hawk’s around. A magpie, who admittedly had perched in a thickly-leafed bit of a nearby bush, was swearing at Bruno, and a pair of feisty local crows actually mobbed Willow and Bruno, dive-bombing them, flying low and fast, and only missing Willow’s head by inches. This, she told me, isn’t unusual.
It is, however, apparently unusual for hawk and falconer pairs to work in purely residential parts of London, so we’re privileged to have Willow (and before her, Ross) and Bruno patrolling the square. Mostly, they are sent to stadiums or to big City commercial buildings. The pigeons wouldn’t agree, but I think it’s great that falconry (minus the killing bit) is alive and well in St John’s parish!
Music Beyond St John's
John Webber
When I’m not at St. John’s, I’m either teaching the piano or organ or running other choirs (or having a day off!).
Living in Beckenham, I started a singing group for young people in 1993. I named it Beckenham Junior Choir; the title tells everyone precisely what we are and do. I felt that some young people love their singing and could get more of it out of school hours, whereas others didn’t get very much in their school, so I could help to make up for it.
Beckenham Junior Choir is for the age group that attends Primary School. (In fact it has always attracted a sprinkling of home educated children and they are often remain for some years and contribute well.) One aim is to give regular concerts, so over the years we have visited care homes and churches, even going to Eastbourne, Southwold and Broadstairs. The Broadstairs concerts resulted in some of St John’s Choir sharing in the event and a coach from East Dulwich taking parishioners down to the coast to hear them all. But most of our events are local.
Unlike what you hear in Church on a Sunday, the music of the youngsters in Beckenham tends to include show songs, popular songs, folk music and so on, often music from many different countries. There is the occasional “holy” piece, as I am attempting to provide the experience of different types of music. Recently we gave a concert to families which included three songs from both “Mary Poppins” and “Singing in the Rain”.
In 2004, I realised that letting the singers leave at the age of eleven and not hearing their voices any more was a mistake. Some wanted to continue. So I began Beckenham Youth Voices, for those aged 11-18. This group is often very talented by the time that they leave Primary School and most play one or more instruments. So I can challenge them musically. They have an anthem book and usually we have two sacred pieces on the go. They will also sing the sort of repertoire of the younger group, but more challenging examples.
Songs of the 1960s and 1970s often appear, such as “Take me home, country roads”, “Moon River” and songs from The Carpenters and the Beatles. With the Junior Choir, these older musicians take part in concerts and they tend to share a programme. Sometimes I use one or more of Youth Voices as accompanying pianists or solo players and singers.
Members of Beckenham Youth Voices joined some of St John’s Church Choir and others when we put on Choral Evensong at Rochester Cathedral in March. The experience was very positive and one of the members of Youth Voices was the soloist in the anthem by Thomas Attwood: “Turn thy face from my sins”.
The two Choirs are flourishing; the older one has some members in the thick of exams at the moment, but we shall all get together when we go out for a pizza in July. Both Choirs will have their summer picnic before the summer break.
I’m glad that I began these two groups in Beckenham. We have been challenged in recent years by the appearance of other similar groups locally, but we have maintained our own character and the numbers are good.
Community Rehabilitation and Falls Service
I think most of us take our ability to tackle day to day activities almost for granted, so it can come as a nasty shock when things we used to be able to do quite easily, like getting up, tackling the stairs, or walking to the local shops, become more of a challenge, and it’s easy to lose our confidence. I know that feeling all too well, which is why I want to introduce you to a service which helped me, and which perhaps isn’t as well-known as it deserves to be.
The Community rehabilitation and falls service is one of a number of rehabilitation or therapy services run by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and covering both Lambeth and Southwark. There’s a specialist neuro-rehabilitation service, and an urgent response service for people who need to be seen very quickly and given home support either to prevent the need for hospital admission, or after discharge from hospital. The Community rehabilitation and falls prevention team, as their name suggests, can see people quite early on in the preventative stage – for example, if you’re beginning to feel unsteady on your feet, have experienced a fall or a ‘near miss’, or are struggling with particular activities. They can also help when people, after some support from the teams providing an urgent response, still need a bit more support to regain their independence and confidence. I spoke to the team’s Clinical Lead, Judith, and physiotherapist Gemma about their work, which has two main strands:
- Home visits, where the physiotherapist sees you in your own environment and can help you find the best ways to tackle any activities that are proving difficult for you.
- Free group exercise classes to improve your balance, strength and confidence; these are at two levels, depending on your level of risk and need.
Home visits
Judith and Gemma see the ‘home visiting’ aspect of their work as both essential and a privilege. Seeing people in their own environment rather than a clinic gives them a far better understanding of any difficulties their patients experience and how they might overcome these. The help given is tailored to each individual’s needs, with goals and a rough time frame set in discussion with them (though the team tend to be flexible on timing, so long as people are engaging and making progress).
Although they don’t themselves provide specialist equipment, the team can refer a patient to an occupational therapist if something is needed; but as Judith explained, it’s important that equipment doesn’t create a dependence that disables people more. For example, if you find it difficult to get up out of a chair, a ‘riser/recliner’ chair (which lifts you partially to your feet) might sound ideal – but it would be far better to build up your strength, confidence and technique so that you can safely and confidently use any chair, anywhere!
Group ‘Falls Prevention’ exercise classes
For people who are at higher risk and may need more specialist help, there are smaller classes, held in clinics and run by a physiotherapist.
Who can refer me to the service, and how?
GPs, Community (District) Nurses, hospital staff, social workers and care home staff can all refer people to the service, but Judith is keen to spread the word that people can refer themselves. She recommends that if you have any enquiries, you should first contact the ‘Strength and Balance’ helpline on 0203 049 5424. Although this is primarily linked to the classes, staff can also discuss your needs with you, and complete an over-the-phone assessment. They can also access basic GP records if needed, and decide whether you are appropriate for a class, or need one to one physiotherapy at home. So if you need a bit of support, advice and encouragement to stay active and independent, why not give it a go?
Photo reproduced by permission of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
If you’ve ever needed a blood transfusion, perhaps after an accident or an operation, or if you have sickle cell disease and need healthy red blood cells to help your blood flow more freely and reduce anaemia, you’ll know what a lifesaver a transfusion can be.Many people at St John's donate blood regularly and some have given more than 100 donations! If you’re already donating blood, plasma or platelets, you’ll know how good it makes you feel to know that you’ve helped restore someone’s health or even save their life. If you’re not a donor already, please think seriously about giving blood, find out if you’re suitable (there are obviously some requirements relating to your own health), and maybe sign up for your first appointment.
Dorothy Oxley writes: "I can certainly recommend it! I started giving full blood when I was 18 and am still doing it now, at 73, having moved on to plasma donoring, then platelet donoring (which you can do every two to three weeks because you get the red cells back) then back to full blood again. It’s given me a huge sense of satisfaction, even pride, and I’m convinced it’s helped my own health, perhaps by a combination of the feel-good factor and increased health awareness!"
Please visit https://www.blood.co.uk/ to find out more.
Setting: until July 31st – Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei from Congress Mass, by Alan Rees, but different Agnus Dei on June 12th.
June 5th – Pentecost
Introit: 520 Whitsunday Sequence
Processional: 137 Come down, O Love divine
Psalm: 104 Send forth your Spirit O Lord, and renew the face of the earth
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia from Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” – “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people; and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
Offertory: 431 O thou who camest from above
Communion: plainsong proper 691
Anthem – “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” by Thomas Tallis
Recessional: 342 Breathe on me, breath of God (T.178, Carlisle)
Voluntary: “Little” Prelude and Fugue in E minor (BWV 533) – J S Bach
June 12th – Trinity Sunday
Processional: 146 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Psalm: 8 How exalted is your name in all the world!
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia at Taize chant 37 – “Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, one God who was and who is, and who is to come”
Offertory: 148 The God of Abraham praise
Communion: Anthem – “Holy, Holy, Holy, God Almighty, Lord,” by Franz Schubert (CAB no.31)
Recessional: 373 How shall I sing that majesty? (T. Coe Fen)
Setting: Agnus Dei from service by Harold Darke in F
Voluntary: Marche-Sortie by Théodore Dubois
June 19th – Corpus Christi Sunday
Processional: 295 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Psalm: 116 I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia - “I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: Love one another as I have loved you.”
Offertory: 296 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour (1st.)
Communion: Anthem – “Panis angelicus,” by Camille Saint-Saëns (NCAB 359)
Recessional: 271 Alleluya, sing to Jesus (v.4 descant)
June 26th – Second Sunday after Trinity
Processional: 338 At the name of Jesus
Psalm: 77 (words from “Psalms for the Common Era, vv.1,2,3 only; tune 355, Song 1; no response)
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia (Taize chant 13) – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Offertory: 285 For the beauty of the earth (1st.)
Communion: Anthem – “All things bright and beautiful,” by John Rutter
Recessional: 384 Jesu, my Lord, my God, my All
Voluntary: Presto (from Concerto in G major, BWV 592) - J S Bach (1685-1750), after a concerto by Prince Johann Ernst von Saksen-Weimar
In this month's profile, Christine talks about the PCC, the history of St John's - and balloons!
How long have you been coming to St John's?
I bought a flat in Oakhurst Grove in 1981. Forty years ago East Dulwich was “affordable”, south of the river – and I hate commuting! The flat did need rather a lot of work, however. St John’s was the parish church at the end of the road.
A few years later I moved (downmarket) to Peckham for a garden and cats, and Giles later joined me before our marriage at St John’s in 2005. For an area within walking distance of central London Peckham and East Dulwich are very green and I like the way it's all built up from a network of small communities.
You are PCC secretary: what does this involve?
The PCC (Parochial Church Council) is “ the executive committee of a Church of England parish and consists of clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with representatives of the laity” (Wikipedia). Much of the role therefore consists of administrative duties such as preparing agenda and reports and writing up minutes of meetings. In addition the Secretary is responsible for coordinating the Annual Report and paperwork for annual meetings, updating the Charity Commission entry, correspondence with the Diocese and contributing to the GDPR Audit. The “Church Representation Rules” (2020) is recommended reading for the role.
Over the last two years we have had the added dimension of meetings on Zoom and last week held the first hybrid meeting with most members socially-distanced in the church and three people displayed on the screen.
This year I came to end of my term as an elected member of the PCC but agreed to continue as PCC Secretary for a further year.
Can you tell us about the Peckham Society and your work with that?
According to their website (peckhamsociety.org.uk): “The Peckham Society is the amenity society for SE15. Its purpose is to encourage interest in and to care for the environment and history of Peckham and the surrounding area.” It was founded in 1975 - almost 50 years ago. We produce a quarterly magazine and website and, until Covid curtailed activities, organise talks and walks and have a stall at several local fairs. New members are always welcome!
I have been the Honorary Secretary of this organisation for many years and since 2015 have also been joint editor of their magazine “The Peckham Society News” – this is related to the next question.
You've written a series of articles for The Gander about the history of St John's up to WW2. How did you research these? Fortunately several local historians and authors have preceded me and prepared the way (Ye Parish of Camerwell: A Brief Account of the Parish of Camberwell, its History and Antiquities by W H Blanch. (1875); A History of the Parish Of St John The Evangelist - East Dulwich by W J A Hahn (1951); and
St. John’s, East Dulwich, Church and Parish by Mary Boast (1991)).
Old maps are useful and illuminating sources and there are many available online now. I also use the same resources as for my own family history research – and it is all too easy to get side-tracked here!
Where will the history series for The Gander go next, now we have covered up to the end of the War?
With the end of WW2 we have reached living memory so have decided to pause to collect memories and decide the best way to organise future chapters. We would welcome readers’ recollections of the past; what do you feel was important to the story of Goose Green and St John’s parish in the last 70 or so years? Please write them down and either drop into the parish office or send to peckham.society@gmail.com.
In the course of my research I have also become fascinated by the lives of some of the lesser-known but extraordinary people who have lived in the area or played their part in the life of St John’s. Charlotte’s story, below, is one of these. (I find it much easier writing about other people than about myself.)
What other interests do you have?
The Editorial and Secretarial duties described above take up much of my time. I would like to get back into singing again. I do like cooking but the garden is getting a bit neglected. We gave up on “no-mow May” and called out professional help before the cat got lost in the wilderness.
Finally, I’m a member of the London Region Balloon Club which is where I met my husband. Giles used to be a commercial balloon pilot before he retired but I have never held a licence. However, I was an “official observer” at competitions such as The National Championships which enabled me to fly occasionally with some of the world’s best balloon pilots. And going full circle, we’ve been gathering information on the history of lighter-than-air-flight in London.
Charlotte Fitch was in love. Her fiancé had just completed his law degree from Cambridge and had a job as a barrister lined up in India. They had not known each other long but were planning to start their new life together after marrying at St John’s church. Life in India sounded exciting if a little hot; she would need more muslin dresses.
Charlotte was born on 21 July 1856 at 9 Arundel Square, Barnsbury, Islington and baptised on 30 August 1855 at St Andrew’s parish church. She was the youngest of nine children born to cheesemonger Alfred Fitch and his wife Rebecca. Alfred’s business flourished; by 1861 the family had moved to Romford and he was employing 10 men. But sadly Alfred was never to give his daughter away in marriage: he died on 5 February 1865, aged only 49.
In straitened circumstances, widowed Rebecca and children moved south of the river to Walworth and by 1871 were living at 9 Finchley Road, near Lorrimore Square. Four of her sons were working in the grocery trade. Charlotte was at boarding school, one of 12 boarding pupils at Louisa Wildy’s school in Brixton. Her brother, Howard, was attending the Royal Commercial Travellers’ School For Orphan and Necessitous Children in Pinner. (This school was founded by commercial traveller John Robert Cuffley in 1847 to “house and educate the children of those in his profession who met an untimely death or became unable to earn their living”.)
In the late 1870s three of Charlotte’s brothers, Walter, Ernest and Aubrey, moved to the USA to work in the mining industry and, by 1881, the family home was at 20 Kelmore Grove in East Dulwich. Brothers Howard and Francis each paid their mother, Rebecca, 5/- (25p) a week for their rooms. Charlotte, now 25 years old was a governess in her sisters’ school: Ellen and Rebecca were the Principals of Berrylands School in Kingston, Surrey.
Some time before 1891 Charlotte fell in love. She was about seven years older than her fiancé who had moved from Cambridge to 133 Grove Lane, Camberwell. He called her “Shelley”. They hoped to marry in the family parish church of St John the Evangelist, just the other side of Goose Green from her mother’s home.
However, there was just one little problem. Charlotte’s fiancé was a Muslim. Mohammad Ahmad was born in Hyderabad, India, the eldest son of Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk Kamboh.
To be continued ...
Christine Camplin
Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, reviewed by Fayo Olatunde
Shatter me is a young teenage dystopian thriller series written by Tahereh Mafi, the New York Times best-selling author. Her most famous books are the ‘Shatter Me’ series.Shatter Me (book 1) is narrated by a 17-year-old girl called Juliette Ferrars, who has a lethal touch. She is locked up in a cell for 264 days, and the government want to use her gift/curse as a weapon. The series is formatted as Juliette’s diary, and the words crossed out throughout the book show her insecurities and thoughts.
Throughout the series, those crosses start to disappear (showing how Juliette has changed and grown). She also learns how to control her powers, and soon she finds out who her actual friends are and who is just using her for her ability. Book by book, her past starts to unravel until she finds out who she really is.
Each book has a different point of view, so we can see how the main characters feel at any moment in time. My favourite character is Warner, because he has a lot of emotions and, as a reader, you can see how he feels.
There are six books in the whole series, and my favourite book is ‘Restore Me’ because that is when we find out about all the characters’ past lives and when we truly know who is good and who is evil.
If you are into sci-fi and non-fiction, then I highly recommend this book and the series to readers from age 12 and adults. It was extremely entertaining to read. I am currently on book 3 of the series. The series has many descriptive and adventurous parts that I felt will stimulate the imagination and literary.
Compiled by Christopher Brougham QC
You have until the end of June to complete the first Gander Crossword, set by Chris Brougham QC. Clue: Some of the answers have an East Dulwich theme! To fill in the answers you will need to print the crossword; please use this link.
Please email a scanned image or photo of your completed crossword to sue.oneill0826@gmail.com or send in by post to the parish office to have a chance to win the prize!
1 Photo including most recent credit cards? (7)
5 Patient man with money for local comic (2,5)
9 Fire thoroughly reduced for Santa’s delivery? (7)
10 See 27 across (7)
11 Forgather in a service (5)
12 Fathers or saints controlling rage (5)
13 Cardinal X (3)
14 Conservative angel may have one (5-4)
17 Food transforming teas (4)
20 Slumbering horn blower is 14 (4)
21 Unusual Roman tile showing Androcles? (4-5)
23 Rowan has converted (3)
25 Plant supplying Sebastian’s twin (5)
27/10 Locally born horrifier barks if floor shakes (5,7)
28 New look for David Ivor Davies (7)
29 London area wild child walked upon initially (7)
30 Old biblicist shaped diamonds neatly (7)
31 Am I scruffy in torn clothing? (7)
1 He painted nearby soapberries without bee buzzing (8)
2 Maybe Michael offers port (9)
3 Posh people against very loud soprano (5)
4 Sublime boutique (9)
5 Member of pack not in a suit (5)
6 Home for boobies in the soup? (5-4)
7 An upper room where Tom Bowling’s gone (5)
8 “------ us in the same” (Collect for Grace) (6)
15 See 22 down (4,5)
16 Bird magazine containing ducks section (9)
18 Former local cat joins bands one hears (3,5)
19 Money getting pillbox for staff officer? (5,3)
22/15 Ultra-well native rebuilt future vicarage (6,4,5)
24 Shelter in paradise Eve finally lost (5)
26 Bracing air makes Aussie unique (5)
27 Extremely cold unfinished Indian dish (5)
Who's who
Vicar Revd Gill O’Neill 07958 592 425, vicar@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Curate Revd Gemma Birt curate@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Assistant Priests Revd Anne Clarke anne@oakhurstgrove.com , Revd Alistair McCulloch mccullocha95@gmail.com and Revd Rosemary Shaw rshaw1983@icloud.com
Parish Administrator Denise Fulgoni 020 8693 3897, office@stjohnseastdulwich.org
Churchwardens Tayo Olatunde 07908 679 407 and Julie Whitney 07786 686 385
Parish Safeguarding Officer Mary Dawson (contact via Parish Administrator)
PCC Secretary Christine Camplin
PCC Treasurer Sarah Goudge
Stewardship Martin Howell
Director of Music John Webber
Electoral Roll Officer Denise Fulgoni
Church Flowers Sally Gross
Goose Green Centre Denise Fulgoni
Editors of The Gander Christine Camplin, Jim Nurton, Tayo Olatunde, Sue O'Neill and Dorothy Oxley
(Contact each of the above via Parish Administrator)
Website: www.stjohnseastdulwich.org
Twitter: @StJohnsEDulwich
St John's & St Clement's C of E Primary School, Adys Road, London SE15 4DY
www.stjohnsandstclements.org, 020 7525 9210
Disclaimer
The views expressed in The Gander are not necessarily those of the Editors, Vicar or PCC.
Magazine deadline
Notices and items or articles for possible inclusion in the next issue of The Gander must be with the Editors by the 15th of the preceding month. Please contact the team in person or by email to the Parish Administrator with any questions.
