Where are you from? I come from North-East Cheshire and caught a train (originally a steam train!) to Manchester to school. This involved running a mile and half to the station, then the train, then crossing central Manchester to catch a bus. We didn’t have a car, so this certainly encouraged independence and a vigorous approach to steep hills from the age of 11. As our Church was next door to the station, the walk to and from Church happened four times on a Sunday, as opposed to twice on a weekday!
How did you find St Margaret’s? When I came to teach in Oxford in 1971 Ss Philip and James was my Parish Church, so I went there. When it was joined to St Margaret’s I was the “young member” on the PCC, so it all followed. When we settled in St Margaret’s building and gave up Ss Philip and James, we moved forwards; David and I were founder members of the Choir in 1980 and at the same time I started Sunday School classes. We were married on St Margaret’s Day in St Margaret’s in 1985, having become engaged in the Chancel of St Margaret’s after Choir Practice the previous year. For many years I served as a Lay Assistant at St Margaret’s and for 20 years David and I led a week’s walking Pilgrimage for teenagers from St Margaret’s and their friends each August.
What do you do here? Currently I am PCC Secretary, though I am still feeling my way in my first year! I am Parish Safeguarding Officer, sing in the Choir, teach the 8 – 12 year old Sunday School class, do the flowers and assist the Churchwardens in compiling the Church Inventory of all our plate, property and furnishings. I am an officiant at Sunday Evening Prayer in most months and I look after the choir and servers’ robes.
What do you like about the church? I think what drew me to St Margaret’s was first of all its central
sacramental focus; I then came to realise and appreciate immensely that we are a Eucharistic community where we are drawn from a wide range of faith traditions, we are valued for our individuality and we are given a secure liturgical and sacramental framework in which to worship, to develop and question our faith, to grow and learn and to enjoy our community and friendships. Many of our lifelong friendships come from St Margaret’s community over so many years.
What are you looking forward to over the next few months? This is easy to answer! I am looking forward to Student Cross, the Holy Week and Easter walking Pilgrimage of 120 miles to Walsingham, the Shrine of Our Lady in Norfolk, which led me to live and work in Oxford. Last Easter I celebrated 50 years on the Pilgrimage and, though I can no longer walk, I participate and contribute by organising the Roman Catholic and Anglican Good Friday and Easter Liturgies for eleven groups of pilgrims. I am a Trustee of the associated Charity enabling funding for students and other young people to come on the pilgrimage, which is a sort of walking retreat!
What three words would you use to describe your faith? Sacramental, active, lifelong.
Tell us something most people would never guess about you… I played lacrosse for my University team when I was a student!