A coach filled with 30 members of Mothers Union, and their guests, left St. John’s Church at 10am on Wednesday 30th July.
We were heading for Buxton, to meet Fr. Keith Cocking, our last curate, and to be shown around the three churches he now manages as Team Vicar. As the church clock struck 11am the coach pulled up outside the entrance to the Pavillion Gardens and Fr. Keith was there, waiting to greet us all.
We had ‘spare time’ to go round the gardens, browse the shops and have lunch, prior to re-boarding the coach to start our tour. Fr. Keith having joined some of the ladies for lunch, directed our driver, Mike Pearson who very cleverly managed to park as near to the churches as possible to drop us off and pick us up.
Our first stop was at Christ Church, Burbage on St. John’s Road, Buxton. Renovation was in progress, which meant there was scaffolding up and builders were working outside. There was some noise but Fr. Keith was able to tell us about the church and the beautiful stained glass windows. We then went out to St. James, Harpur Hill, where we met the Churchwarden. He gave us a short history of ‘his’ church and explained that they are constantly fighting a losing battle with the elements, (the church is in a particularly exposed area). As the church building is not listed, no grants can be applied for and as the warden explained, the congregation is very loyal, but small. There is simply not enough money for the repair work required.
Church number 3 was St. Mary’s on Dale Road, with Fr. Keith’s vicarage next door, well screened by trees. This church is mellow brick and tile and looked as if it would convert to a very comfortable house!! Fr. Keith explained that he tries to cater for young and old and indeed has encouraged families through the introduction of “messy church” and various clubs.
We had one last special treat before tea and this was Little St. Annes’s Church on Bath Road, set among modern apartment blocks. It is the oldest church in Buxton and in great demand for weddings, being very picturesque and full of atmosphere. It has a fraternity with Walsingham.
We concluded our day in the parish rooms, just near Little St. Anne’s. The ladies of Buxton M.U., led by Carolyn Fell had prepared a most delicious tea, various sandwiches, scones and cakes and the tea urn did overtime. One of their members, Sybil, was to celebrate her 98th birthday the following day, so we presented her with a card (Mothers Union of course) and congratulated her.
Ruth gave the group’s thanks firstly to Carolyn and the Buxton ladies for such a splendid spread and then to Fr. Keith for giving us so much of his time. He was presented with a book token. Jean Anderson, Chesterfield Deanery M.U. President thanked Ruth for organising the trip which all had enjoyed.
Everyone was back at St. John’s by 7.30pm – in time for those who were attending the Newbold Project meeting in the parish room.
A most satisfactory M.U. summer outing.
Ruth Cable
Mothers Union Committee Member