Tale of Two Parishes

On Thursday, 30, April, around 200 people gathered at the Primary School to bid farewell to Reverend Martin Flowerdew and the evening started with refreshments provided by the church. 

Window in the church at St Osyth

The opening speech was made by Councillor John White, who spoke on behalf of the village. This was followed by a speech from the headteacher, Tim Palmer, who made a presentation to Martin on behalf of the governors, staff and children in appreciation of the work that he has done with the school. Finally, Yrina Morgan Kendall spoke for the church. 

Barbara King

These three speeches combined reflected the huge contribution that Martin has made during his eight years in the Parish. 

Nick Lee presented Martin with a cheque for £1,030, this being the sum of the many individual donations received.  It was revealed that Nick, along with Sonia Grantham, had interviewed Martin for the position and that both he and Sonia had undertaken to leave the village (separately, it was pointed out) in the event that the new Vicar should not prove his worth. 

Mark Roberts came up to the makeshift stage to the strains of the 'This Is Your Life' theme tune to present Martin with a revealing red book documenting in anecdotes, letters and photographs his time in St Osyth.  This impressive tome was compiled by Rosemary Roberts, with practical assistance from Allison Bond, whose art studio is probably now very short of Pritt Sticks!

Martin Flowerdew's last service

Martin was then presented with a Hoylake survival kit, which was put together there and then by people who came forward bearing a variety of items. 

They included a pair of functional socks from Steph Smith, an Airwick block from Tom Grantham (given in the event of boiler smells in St Hildeburgh’s), a Practical Archaeology set from Alan Williams and some earrings from Sallyanne Stiff that bore more than a passing resemblance to mackerel lures. 

(For those readers who never got to know Martin, his ear stud caused a few raised eyebrows in the early days of his incumbency).

Rev Martin Flowerdew is given a cake

Special mention must be made, however, of the alarm clock presented to Martin by Sonia Grantham. This unusual timepiece, with its recorded message in her voice, will go some way to ensuring that Martin is never late for a service.  There was also a unique photographic feature that will have much the same effect in the event of battery failure.

Shirley Wells gave each of Martin and Julie’s daughters – Eva, Lundy and Maiya – a bag of goodies, following which Janet Dewing presented farewell gifts to Julie that included a selection of seeds for the new garden.

The choir brought the proceedings to a close by offering their own musical tribute, accompanied by Simon Westripp on the piano. 

Using words written by Allison Bond and to the tune of 'Immortal, Invisible' they echoed in song their long experience of rubbing shoulders with Martin (often literally, as the vestry is quite small), highlighting in particular the archaeological goings-on in the churchyard and concerns of a choral nature:

With earring and beard and an old campervan
We really weren’t certain if he was our man,
But over eight years he has sure proved his worth
Despite his obsession with large holes and earth.

The choir is so patient, they don’t like to nag
But during the hymns he is inclined to drag,
So we quicken the tempo and jazz up the tune
To make sure the service will end before noon.

This is only a sample.  There were several more verses!

Gate at the church in St Osyth

Thanks must go to Sonia Grantham, who put a lot of work into organising the evening; Tim Palmer, who threw open the doors of the school hall for the occasion; and everyone who assisted in any way to make a potentially sad occasion the happy and invigorating time that it was.

MARTIN’S LAST SERVICE by Mark Roberts

Martin’s last service for the parish on Sunday, 3, May was a tribute to his ministry in St Osyth and he wore the St Osyth cope, featuring the priory and church. 

He had specially devised a format which gave us a lift when we might have been downcast at his departure.  Martin has been conscious of his congregation’s attitudes and wishes, while gently steering us to greater commitment to our faith.

In his sermon he continued his guidance by describing how he himself has been guided by God to move on, and to explore possibilities for his future work. 

He was led, not abroad, nor elsewhere in the present diocese, but to a church surprisingly far away.  He was not immediately certain that Hoylake was the place he was destined, before accepting it in faith. 

Mark Roberts

Martin also encouraged us to continue strengthening our faith during the interregnum, and keeping the churchwardens, and others involved in finding the priest whom God wants for us, in our prayers.

Meanwhile, church life continues with our regular services being covered by Revd Tony Pugsley, and Revd Heather Connell.

The search for a new vicar begins in earnest when the Bishop of Colchester, Rt. Revd Christopher Morgan and Archdeacon, the Ven. Annette Cooper have a meeting with our Parochial Church Council on June 2nd to discuss the next steps.

Our next major event will be our OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND

When St Osyth opens itself to the public on Saturday, 13, and Sunday, 14, June.

Ivy in St Osyth

Twenty-four gardens, large and small, show their varied attractions over the two days. Garden guides cost £3 per person (children free) and can be bought from the church each day. The gardens are open from 11am to 5pm.

There will also be a fairy competition, with exhibits displayed in one of the gardens.

Refreshments and plants will be available to buy at some gardens.

The Martello Tower Museum is also open on the Sunday from 11 to 2pm.

Proceeds are for the ‘Friends of the Church’ to help maintain the fabric of our beautiful and historic building.

To get a taste of what our village gardens have to offer, visit the photo gallery on our website.