The Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Waterlooville
We were first attracted to St. George’s for several reasons. The church reminded us of St. Peter, St. Helier, Morden, where we were married in 1957. It was a curate and nurse romance and in both churches people were welcoming and helpful and the services were very well organised and the type of worship we had grown used to in South Africa.
The crucifix over the altar we found inspiring.
After our first encounter many benefits flowed. When I broke my leg and later when I broke my arm, I was well looked after both at home and when I got to church.
My memories -
So had begun a new chapter in a whole lifetime of experiences.
Twenty of us being ordained in Southwark Cathedral by dear old Bishop Bertram Simpson.
Landing in South Africa at Cape Town and afterwards at Durban in the apartheid era (the word is pronounced somewhat sinisterly as apart-
Negotiating with the Headman at St. Mark’s -
Confirmations in Transkei, my Diocese in South Africa, then called St. John’s, now divided into three dioceses.
St. Andrew’s Lusikisiki, when all the candidates had come in the evening before and had slept at or near the Mission. They arrived in the church at kwakumpondo zankomo (when the horns of the cattle in the kraal are visible). The Eucharist began with full throated singing of hymns and the local Xhosa setting of the Eucharist in harmony. The Eucharist and lessons (always three) began with the sort of ceremonies we are used to at St. George’s, followed by the sermon -
Wits university, when the struggle was reaching its climax. On one occasion the academic staff were ordered by the Vice Chancellor to put their academic robes on and stand between chanting students and rows of fierce looking police.
Drama of a different sort at Grahamstown, when I was at Rhodes University, Sally and I in a production of ‘Man for All Seasons’.
And, before I become more of a bore, Victorin’s warbler in the fynbos overlooking the Indian Ocean where gannets dived into the waves and a hobby sat on a post looking for little animals -
When our family meet next year coming from Texas, Tanzania, Copenhagen, East London (South Africa), Southwark and Petersfield, we shall remember many things and anecdotes, including our time at Waterlooville and Abe’s baptism and our friends in Jay Close and at St George’s.
From a quiet home in a quiet village with the roar of the M5 over the fields.
Our love and gratitude,
Godfrey and Sally Ashby
Christmas Edition 2011