The Beacon March 2012 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

it great support, and it has been under the special care of the reigning queen
ever since. The Reformation saw the virtual disappearance of it’s buildings
although it was never completely suppressed, but during the 19th century the
Foundation was transferred … to a house in Regents Park. It’s present location,
not so very far from the original one, now built over by docks and warehouses,
dates from just after the 1939-45 war when the Queen Mother, then of course
Queen, was largely responsible for it’s return”.
St Katherine’s is still there just minutes away from Canary Wharf and ‘has
established itself as a facility for both practical and pastoral care in the East End
of London’. For more information see www.rfsk.org.uk.
The Vicar, in his letter, also announced that “it was with very great regret that
the P.C.C. at its last meeting accepted Mr Day’s resignation from this important
office [as Honorary Treasurer] which he has held for the past twelve years”. He
was, of course, Audrey Day’s Father.
20 years ago
In 1992, Ash Wednesday was on the 4 th March, Easter being nearly as late as in
2011. Holy Communion was celebrated at 7.30 am on Tuesday and 9.30 am on
Wednesday mornings and at 8 am and 10 am on Sundays. In addition on Ash
Wednesday there was a communion service with imposition of ashes. The Vicar
said that “Lent is a time when we can take spiritual stock of ourselves – a time
when we can take the opportunity to examine ourselves as thoroughly as
possible for sings of those faults which we may have grown too complacent
about properly to notice”.
The Turner-Dumbrell Foundation “donated £3,300 to St. Margaret’s Church,
£550 to the Old Meeting House and £150 to help with School funds at the
Ditchling Primary School”.
“Nearly £1,200 was raised last year for the Children’s Society by the Ditchling
Parish. Over half the total sum was raised through Jerry Manser running the
London Marathon in April.”
“1992 is the year when this parish marks the 900 th anniversary of the foundation
of St. Margaret’s Church in Ditchling. To make our celebration special, a Festival
week is being planned by the Parochial Church Council, from the 12th to the
19th of July, to finish with a special service for St. Margaret’s Day.”
Graham Sharpless
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