directory - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat & Westmeston

The Beacon in the PastBelow are excerpts from previous issues of the Ditchling Beacon.40 years agoIn the August 1971 issue the Rev Tony Way thanked the organisers of the cricketmatch between the Cellar Club and the Fathers’ XI. “The wonderful weather andthe delightful situation of the Hassocks Secondary School playing-fieldcontributed towards …. a most enjoyable afternoon”.At a recent PCC meeting it had been agreed that “many parishioners mightwelcome the opportunity of a Gift Day as a means of contributing towards thecost of rebuilding of the church-yard wall”. In addition “vigorous representationwas made by the Parish Council to the County Council in an attempt to obtainfinancial help in paying for the extensive work necessitated by the dangerouscondition of this wall” but it was unsuccessful “so that the whole cost will have tobe met out of our own Church Funds”.20 years agoIn the August 1991 issue, the Vicar reported that St Margaret’s had “acquired areplacement St. George’s flag, with the arms of the Diocese of Chichesterquartered on it”. The Sunday School children had raised “a very useful sum ofmoney towards the cost of providing the flag”.The Vicar also mentioned a series of leaflets explaining improvements to theChurch’s investment income. “Contrary to a commonly held misconception theChurch of England does not receive Government aid”.The PCC noted that the “flagpole base, damaged in the October 1987 hurricanehas been repaired and the flagpole reerected”. Also the “replacement of treeslost in the storms of recent years is under consideration”.Regarding the Beacon, it was reported that “the Parish photocopier is nowreaching the stage where retirement beckons ... the PCC agreed that areplacement was essential”.A programme of events was being organised “to celebrate the triple tercentenaryof St. Margaret’s”. These were to include a “Flower Festival, concerts andrecitals, special services, and an exhibition in the Museum”.The Village Association held an open meeting “to discuss the feasibility ofperforming in June 1992 the Pageant, which illustrates the history of Ditchling”.This would involve up to 250 people, but only 40 turned up to the meeting, so an“alternative suggestion is to have an especially splendid Fair, with a St.Margaret’s theme”.Graham Sharpless31