June 2015 Parish of Killay Magazine by Parish of Killay

Parish of Killay

Parish Magazine St Hilary and St Martin

June 2015

50p

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31 ST JAMES GARDEN UPLANDS, SWANSEA OFFICES AT 462 GOWER ROAD, KILLAY, SWANSEA AND 3 GORWYDD ROAD, GOWERTON 24 HOUR SERVICE TELEPHONE: 01792 643840 Partners: S.J. Lee – P. Garland-‐Thomas

Golden Charter Pre-‐paid Funeral Plans available

Parish of Killay 2 2015

Parish of Killay - Who’s Who Vicar:

The Revd. Timothy J. Williams The Vicarage, 30 Goetre Fach Road, Killay, Swansea ) 01792 204233

David Morgan

Eucharistic Assistants:

Gillian Hutchinson, David Morgan, Eileen Nielsen, Alan Pickard

Churchwardens:

Jeremy Harris Valerie Beynon

) 07717 373435 ) 204352

Church Treasurer:

Alan Pickard

) 204717

Sacristan:

Bryan Smale

) 402559

Servers:

Beryl Claybrook, Catherine Swain, Steve Lewis, Bryan Smale, John Williams, Stephanie Budski

Eileen Nielsen

) 520685

Parish Centre Booking Secretary:

Eileen Nielsen

) 07902844379 or 520685

Envelopes/Gift Aid Scheme:

Ken James

) 205963

Junior Church Enquiries:

Father Tim

Organist/Choirmaster:

Peter Carder Please send text message to 07530025275 Or email sesquialtera@hotmail.com

St Hilary's Readers:

PCC Secretary:

St Martin's Churchwardens:

Elaine Graves Colin Williams

)207126 )201364

Parish Magazine Editor: Copy Editor:

Commissioning Editor and Printer: Advertising & Distribution:

Father Tim Roger Rees (reesfolk@btinternet.com) ) 207916 Eric Thomas Ken James

Parish of Killay 3 2015

The Vicar Writes……

ear Friends

June 2015

By now you will have heard that I will be leaving the Parish of Killay to become Team Rector of the Kidderminster West Team Ministry in the Diocese of Worcester. The decision was made after much soul searching, prayer and discussion. I believe that I have been guided by the Holy Spirit to move on to a big new adventure and we must pray that He will send someone to Killay who will continue the work of the Kingdom. The Parish is entering further into a time of change; new ways of working and someone new at the helm. Change is nothing to fear but to be embraced. If change didn't happen we wouldn't have mobiles, fridges, aeroplanes or houses just to name a few things. As a Church we have stood still too long. We are in danger of becoming a museum rather than the living Body of Christ. We need to look forward. We need to show the world that we are relevant and not a bunch of nutters who do funny things in a building that is used for three hours a week. We need to remember that the Church exists for those who are not yet its members and is not our own little club which has certain criteria for membership. We do not face change on our own; we must open our hearts and minds to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Think what happened on the day of Pentecost. A rag bag of working class men suddenly found that they were given the power to tell the world about the Good News of Jesus Christ. We need to do that today. Whilst on holiday in Seville, recently, we had a bizarre, yet amazing, experience. Seville FC had won the Europa league and thousands of people were out on the streets celebrating and we got caught up in the celebrations. Prior to this we came out of our hotel to be confronted with a religious procession led by men on horseback followed by two bulls pulling a silver carriage with a statue of the Virgin Mary and followed by hundreds of people of all ages, a lot in traditional dress. Parish of Killay 4 2015

They were escorted by the police and followed by a road sweeper! Traﬃc gave way to them and it seems that both processions interwove with "El Championes" giving way. This was just one of many local processions and, I'm told, Holy Week and Corpus Christi processions are incredible. These people are proud of their faith and not afraid to display it like those ﬁrst Disciples. I was reminded of the Whitsun walks. I remember when I was a child on Whitsunday joining with all the churches and chapels in Brynmawr to walk around the town. The procession was led by our processional cross followed by our choir and everyone singing hymns such as "Onward Christian Soldiers". We were proud to be Christians. What's happened to us? Have we ceased to open our hearts to the Spirit? Are we afraid to show we are Christians? Please pray for me, Mary and the family as we make our preparations to move as I will pray for this Parish as it faces the future in the Knowledge that, as Mother Julian of Norwich says, "all will be well and all manner of things will be well." Yours in Christ

Silver Jubilee On June 24th I will celebrate my 25th Anniversary of Priesting. I hope you will join with me for a celebration Eucharist followed by a "bit of a do" in the hall. (Thanks to the Ladies Guild for giving way that night for me.) It will have a special significance since I celebrated the Eucharist for the first time at St Hilary's 25 years ago (some of you may well have been there). I can't imagine there are many priests who celebrate their silver jubilee in the same place they celebrated their first mass. It is a tremendous privilege. Our Vision: A family, rooted in Christ, committed to transforming lives by: Gathering as God’s people – Growing more like Jesus – Going out in the power of the Spirit. Parish of Killay 5 2015

Monthly Diary June 2015 7th

10.30am 6.00pm

Trinity 1 Evensong

11th

11:00am

Thursday Holy Eucharist

12th

2.00pm

Prayer Meeting led by Rev. Roy Blewett

14th

10.30am 6.00pm

Trinity 2 Combined Evensong with Siloam

18th

11:00am

Thursday Holy Eucharist

21st

10.30am 6.00pm

Trinity 3 Evensong

25th

11:00am

Thursday Holy Eucharist

28th

10.30am 6.00pm

Trinity 4 Evensong

Interviews

every Monday 6pm – 7pm

Music Society

2nd Monday 7.30pm

Mothers’ Union

1st and 3rd Tuesdays 2pm

Brownies

every Tuesday 6pm

Monthly Prayer Meeting Simeon Fellowship

Luncheon Club

every Wednesday 11am -‐ 2pm

Ladies’ Guild

every Wednesday 7.30pm

Bowls

every Friday evening 7pm -‐ 10pm

2nd Friday in the month at 2pm in the Choir Vestry last Tuesday of the month at 7.15 pm at Dunvant Rugby Club

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Rotas for June 2015 Readers at Morning Eucharist 7th 14th 21st 28th

1st 1st 1st 1st

Daniel Jones Glenys Vaughan Sheila Betts Eric Thomas

2nd David Vaughan 2nd Gillian Hutchinson 2nd Barbara Roberts

Oﬀertory Procession 7th 14th 21st 28th

Junior Church Susan & Bob Mapp Glenys & Lyndon Hall Mary & Haydn Osborne

Altar Flowers 7th 14th 21st 28th

Memory of Barbara & Mervyn Howell Betty Nutt Memory of John Catley Memory of Gareth Llewelyn

Sidespersons June July

Gwynneth Prestwood, Sue & Bob Mapp, Roy Chapman Sylvia & Mike Powell, Eddie Rowe, John Williams

Sponsor for Bread & Wine

Sarah & Jeremy Harris

Coﬀee

7th 14th 21st 28th

Anne Llewellyn Catherine Swain Jan Proudfoot Barbara Rowe

Church Cleaning Roy Chapman Parish of Killay 7 2015

St Martin’s Church Dunvant June 2015 Date

Service

7th

Sidesperson

Reader

Holy Eucharist 8.00am

E Graves

E Nielsen

14th

Sung Eucharist 9.00am

S Charles-‐Phillips

H Lumsdaine

21st

Sung Eucharist 9.00am

G Lewis

L Lewis

28th

Parish Outing Service 8.00am prior to departure at St Hilary’s

Time

Altar Flowers 7th Phyllis Cameron

14th 21st Sue Dimblebee

Bread & Wine Sue Dimblebee

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Parish News We pray for those who are ill -‐ at home, in hospital or nursing homes: Phyllis Harries, Emlyn Bawden, Joan Davies, Olwen and John lsles, Joan Dobbs, Bill and Joyce Ivey, Gwyneth Bartley (recently undergone surgery but now at home being cared for by her dear sister, Brenda), Pam Ward & Graham Treharne. We also remember, with gratitude, those who are lovingly caring for them. All our thoughts are with Glenda Pelzer; she will be undergoing surgery next week at Morriston Hospital, Ward W. Get Well Soon Glenda. We send our sympathy and prayers to Brenda Perry on the death of her husband, Glyn. We also remember, at this time, their son Robert and daughter-‐in-‐law Misho and grandson Jem. Glyn was a true gentleman -‐ a loving husband & father and respected brother of Win & Brian. Glyn will be sadly missed by his family & friends, particularly the Dunvant Male Choir of which he had been a member for many years. We also remember, in our prayers, Adrian Williams and his family on the death of his father, Peter. Peter was a sidesman of St Hilary’s Church for many years and always undertook his duties with dignity and respect -‐ Thursday mornings have not been the same since his illness. More about Peter in next month’s Parish News. T

Eileen thanks everyone who helped with Christian Aid -‐ your generosity is so very much appreciated. T It was heart warming to see a full church for the United Service on May 31st and we were more than happy to welcome the congregations from Sketty and Tycoch. The tea and coﬀee ladies did a wonderful job with the extra people and are to be thanked for their hard work. We missed having Canon Geoﬀrey with us as he was unexpectedly taken into hospital that day but, thankfully, they didn’t keep him in long and he returned home the same day.

T

Sarah and Jeremy would like to thank everyone who supported their Garden Party on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May, at their new house in Gowerton. It was a great success and raised over £500. The proceeds were split between St Hilary’s Church and the girls that Sarah sponsors in India. T

We are looking for volunteers to help with Messy Church in the Ministry Area. If you are able to help, please see a Church Warden. TU Parish of Killay 9 2015

The Garden Party Bank Holiday Monday, Whit Monday, May25th was the day set aside by Jeremy and Sarah to hold their very first garden Party at 47 Gorwydd Road, Gowerton. The weather was dry and reasonably warm and a number of visitors were there to sample the cream teas and go home with a sampling of jams or chutneys and cakes. It was good to sit in the garden and chat and, for me, it reminded me of the garden parties that Gerald and Beryl organised in their house in Upper Killay in the 1980's. They were splendid evenings and for those of us who had an interest in gardening, especially flowers, delighted in the artistry and work that Gerry had put into his garden. Much as I appreciated the fare that was on offer it was Gerry's garden that stole the show. Speaking of Gerry Harris his illness has robbed the church of one of the many hard working men who made life in St Hilary's so full and so enjoyable in the 1970's to 90's. Game for most things, Gerry was one of the first to be a chorus boy on the stage in what ever was being produced; he was also a dependable wicket keeper, then batsman and bowler... a tower of strength for the cricket team. Ah the cricket team -‐ my cup runneth over when I think back to those days when, for a number of seasons, we assembled and travelled to that night's ground for the game. During most matches someone shone in the batting...the Revs Hughes and Wilkinson had the uncanny knack of producing the first six of the evening, and when Cos came on to bowl anything could happen... and usually it did. Again the bowlers produced some remarkable performances -‐ there was Ron Horsey the best left handed slow bowler England never picked, Jeff Jones, Spencer Thomas, our opening fast bowlers, Eric Thomas and Randall Nutt in the spin section followed by Mike Powell, Roy Chapman, Gerry Harris, all sound cricketers. Emlyn Bawden, Ken Peebles, John Williams & son, George Ward, Roger Rees, Steve Lewis all played their part. We won some, not all, but some.... and we enjoyed the whole evening together. Ah! Dylan Thomas could dream of Llareggub but, for me, The St Hilary's cricket team are my dream team... and who was it that made a habit of running people of his own side out? Ah well those were the days. David Morgan Parish of Killay 10 2015

Music Society At the beginning of our last meeting, a minute’s silence was held to remember Dorothy Chouls who has, sadly, passed away. The story of the Brangwyn Hall organ starts post First World War. The place was the Elite Picture House in Nottingham which housed, not only a movie theatre but, shops, offices, writing rooms, cafés, restaurants etc and an early shopping mall. The movies were silent and needed music from a cinema organ. There were 3 main companies – Wurlitzer, Compton & Willis who, mainly, manufactured cathedral organs such as in Liverpool cathedral in 1922 and Westminster cathedral in 1923. In 1919 the Elite Picture Company was founded and opened as a picture theatre in 1921. The organ cost £9,450. As the talkies developed, the big cinema organs lost their importance and, in 1929, Henry Willis repurchased the big organ from Elite and it was replaced by a smaller Compton organ. In 1977, the Elite Picture House became a Bingo Hall. In 1990, it was designated a Grade 2 listed building and now houses a nightclub, shops and offices. Now the link with Swansea; in March 1929 there was a proposal for a new Guildhall in Swansea but no organ featured in this. The foundation stone was laid in 1932 and the building was due for completion in 1934. Now we come to Sir Griffith Thomas who was the son of a coal mine owner in the Neath Valley. He was educated in

London but came back to South Wales as a coal exporter and was a major figure on the Harbour Board. 1901-‐1903 he was Mayor of Swansea and was involved in establishing Kings Dock. He died in 1923. In 1934, his Executors offered Swansea Council £3,000 to purchase an organ but the proviso was that it would only be given if the Council preserved Cockett Woods (opposite Hill House Hospital) with a gift of £1,000. The Guildhall was set to open in October 1934 and the Council approached Willis with a view to purchasing an organ in time. The cost would be between £3,000 and £5,000 but could not be ready for October. However, the organ from Nottingham, which Willis had repurchased, was available at half price and, in May 1934, the sale was agreed and the organ was installed by October. Ivor Owen was the first custodian of the B H organ. He was Borough Organist from 1935 until 1968. In 1968, Alan Sykes was in his final year in university. He came to Swansea for

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an interview and obtained a post in the university. In January 1969, his wife came for an interview with British Steel. In 1969, the current organist in the university was indisposed and Alan played for the degree ceremony. John Fussell was then appointed as Borough Organist. Part of the organ was damaged by an incendiary bomb during the 2nd World War and John Fussell played a major part in the repairing and maintenance of it. The curators of the organ have been Paul Richards and Alan Sykes. Pipe organs date back to Roman times, some with hydraulic systems. In Mediaeval times, bellows were used to pump air through the pipes. Before electricity, movements were completely mechanical but now electric motors aid the air ﬂow. In the Brangwyn, 2 motors provide wind for the organ.

The B H organ console has 4 manuals: Great organ (the loudest) Swell organ (which is housed in a box) Solo organ (sounds produced like clarinet, flute, French horn, tuba) Positive organ (a lighter sound) There are 3 pedals and also wooden struts to be played using the feet. Organ pipes can be very tiny or up to 30 or 40 ft. This was a fascinating talk and, at some time, we hope to visit the Brangwyn Hall to see this amazing organ. Jane Riseborough gave the vote of thanks to Alan Sykes for a most interesting and entertaining talk. The next meeting of the Music Society will be on June 8th at 7:30. We will be entertained in a Coffee Evening by Penry Ryan and the Ariosa Singers. Entry at £2 plus a free raffle. All welcome.

Charity walk for Coeliac UK Isabelle & Sophia Rees recently took part in a charity walk for Coeliac UK. They walked 10k on the Brecon Beacons and were very thankful for a sunny day. They raised over £400 and would like to thank everyone in church who kindly made a donation. Isabelle has the condition and the charity wants to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis as well as continued research. Well Done girls. Parish of Killay 12 2015

Ladies Guild Polly Davies, an American married to a Welshman and living in Resolven, came along on 29th April, to tell us about the life and times of Annie Oakley. Born Phoebe Anne Mosey, on 18th August 1860, she was 6th of nine children born to Susan and Jacob Mosey. Susan was 18 and Jacob 49 when they married; they were Quakers. Her father died when she was 6 years old but he had taught her to shoot from the age of 2 so, by the time she was 5 years old, she could kill and dress a squirrel to feed the family. In 1869 she was sent to the poor house from where she was sent to work for a family who abused her and treated her as a slave. In 1872 she ran away back to her mother but was then sent to work in an infirmary where the superintendent’s wife taught her to sew. Aged 15, Annie began shooting, hunting and trapping to support the family and, within a year, had paid off the mortgage. On Thanksgiving in 1874, a showman and marksman, Frank E Butler, came to town and bet $100 that he could out shoot any local shooter. Annie accepted the challenge and won; each shot 24 live game birds. They married in 1876 and began touring with Frank as her assistant as she was the better shot. Annie began using her grandmother's maiden name, Oakley. An accomplished needlewoman, Annie made all of her stage clothes. By accident, they began working with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and Annie soon became the star attraction. Chief Sittingbull adopted her, naming her Little Sure Shot. The Wild West Show came to London and performed for Queen

Victoria, then went on to the Great Exhibition in Paris where the King of Senegal tried to buy her. Annie and Frank returned to the USA in 1893 where she encouraged women to learn to shoot for their own protection, teaching 15,000 herself. In 1901, she was injured in a crash, needing three spinal operations. She retired a year later but, the following year, starred in a play about a female sharpshooter. Her good name meant everything to her so she was devastated when William Randolph Hearst printed a totally untrue story about her, destroying it. Annie spent six years suing every newspaper that had printed the story; ﬁnally Hearst was forced to pay damages of $27,000. Annie spent her last years working for, and supporting, charities such as the YMCA. She died on 3rd November 1926 and Frank died 18 days later. Thank you Polly for an interesting and fascinating story. h The following week, 6th May, retired dentist and orthodontist, Gwenda Jenkins came to tell us about ancient beliefs and methods of treating tooth ache and dental decay. The patron Saint of dentistry is St Apolonia who lived in Alexandria, Egypt. A chapel dedicated to her still exists in Guernsey. Gwenda described the weird and wonderful beliefs relating to the cure of toothache. The ancient Egyptians believed that any one of a variety of over 250 herbs would cure

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toothache whilst, 5000 years ago, the Chinese used acupuncture as a method of curing it. Other cultures placed frogs or toads on the cheek, bunches of herbs under the nostrils to “strengthen the brain” or magic charms or amulets. It was believed that praying to saints or waving their relics was a cure; the Hokey Pokey derives from this! Perhaps the most extreme cure was a red hot poker inserted into a tooth cavity to kill a worm which was thought to cause the decay. The Romans made toothpaste from crushed mouse bones, the Spanish used urine whilst others used creosote, valerium and comfrey which damages the liver. Opium poppies, alcoloids, belladonna, besides herbs, were often used but today we know that some herbs were beneﬁcial as they contained chemicals which were anti-‐ fungal or contained pain killing substances such as aspirin. In spite of the more gruesome elements, the talk was most interesting and we were all thankful that we live in a more enlightened age. h Professor Brian Clarkson was our speaker on 13th May, telling us about ‘An Island in the Sun’. The evening began with a recording of Harry Belafonte singing the well known song of the same name. Brian's wife spent much of her childhood in the Caribbean where her father was a Methodist minister. She lived on the island of Grenada for several years so they have taken holidays on the island several times. It is a small volcanic, verdant island, just 20 miles long by 6 miles wide. It was originally inhabited by Caribs, a warlike people, then the Spanish, followed by the French. The British took over in 1750 and it

gained Independence in 1970. The capital, St Georges, is surrounded by six forts, built by the French to protect the harbour. It is the most southerly of the Caribbean islands and usually escapes the hurricanes which affect the region in autumn; therefore the islanders ignored a warning about Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Had they taken the advice and sheltered in the school, churches etc. many might have been killed or injured as all of these buildings were badly damaged when Ivan hit; some are still without roofs. As it was, no one was seriously injured. It is a very beautiful place; the economy is based on nutmeg, cocoa and rum production and, nowadays, tourism. The white, sandy beaches are quiet until the large cruise ships arrive in the afternoons! A colourful talk and on the cool May evening, we were all wishing we were there. h Guild members did not feel inspired by the subject of our talk “Dolls” on 20th May. However, as soon as as our speaker, Julia Evans, began we knew we were in for something very special. The talk was entitled “Lost Empires”. One by one, Julia lifted the most exquisite hand made dolls (or perhaps we should describe them as models) with which she told the stories of the people who influenced the history of Music Halls. In Victorian times, men joined “Harmonic” clubs which developed into supper clubs with entertainment. If the management was unable to employ an entertainer for an evening, the waiters would be called upon. As they attended the local barber, the term “Barber Shop Quartet” was born. This was the first model Julia took out of one of her three covered boxes of models; the detail and

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the expressions on the faces of each one was superb. New acts appeared in all parts of London; “The Ethiopians” were, in fact, four black banjo players from the southern USA. Charles Morton opened a theatre called a hall of music which, in time, became Music Hall. Other words and expressions such as ‘top of the bill’, ‘leotard’ and ‘Jazz’ came into being. Julia extracted over thirty models from her boxes, each one beautifully made, depicting music hall stars of the time and reminding us of the songs for which they were well known. She has made a total of 500 models for various talks so members asked if she would please come again. Also it was agreed that, not only was it one of the best talks we have had, the clarity of her speech made it possible for it to be heard by everyone. Thank you Julia for a fascinating evening. h

Our last meeting in May took the form of Desert Island Discs when the ‘castaway’ was one of our members, Jane Riseborough who, as you all know, has a lovely bubbly personality. Jane’s 1st choice of music was ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ as, yet, there was no sign of summer!! Jane’s early employment was at Ericsson Telephones where she was at the beck and call of lots of Engineers, which didn’t please her too much. In the Press Room the noises and smells were horrendous and she didn’t appreciate that either. She soon left to attend Pitman’s College in Nottingham to learn shorthand & typing. In her spare time, Jane joined the Sea Rangers who owned a cabin at the side of the River Trent where the weekends were

spent rowing and swimming. Her 2nd choice of music was ‘Claire de Lune’. Her interest in the Sea Rangers persuaded her to join the Wrens and she became a Marine Wren with a posting to Chatham. Her 3rd choice was ‘Sunset’ by the Band of the Royal Marines. Something she particularly remembered was being selected to take part in the Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall – what an honour!! Most evenings she and her friends spent time in the NAAFI Club where the dance cost 6d – this led to Jane’s 4th choice of music, ‘Moonlight Serenade’ played for a romantic dance. At about this time, 1954, Jane met Bill and became a naval wife. Unfortunately, he was nearly always at sea so Jane’s next choice was ‘Stranger on the Shore’. However, while posted at Plymouth, they enjoyed a very happy time walking on Dartmoor and trips down the Tamar river. When Bill left the navy, he found employment at Sketty Hall with an Engineering company. They became members of St Martin’s Church in Dunvant and Bill became the organist. Jane’s 6th choice was ‘Deck of Cards’ by Phil Harris. In Swansea, Jane found employment at Cefn Coed Hospital for a while; her 7th choice was ‘Assault on Beautiful Gorky’ by Shostakovich. Jane has always found an interest to ﬁll her life and she joined the Embroiderers Guild where she met lots of lovely new friends. With her family around her, she is thoroughly enjoying her life. The ﬁnal choice was ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’. Thank you Jane for a really special evening, so interesting and lovely pieces of music. She is so loveable and popular as shown by the good crowd of members who came to listen to ‘Our Jane’.

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Mothers’ Union On May 2nd, our own Pat Stratton gave a talk about her experiences as a midwife. Pat left Swansea to train as a nurse but, as an only child, she returned when her mother became unwell. She obtained a place at Mount Pleasant maternity hospital and began her training in midwifery. This was during the time when hospital Sisters could be dragons and expected very high standards from, not only their nurses, but also the domestic staff. Pat trained when it was considered shameful to be an unmarried mother; girls (and some were very young) coming into hospital to give birth were given a ring to wear during their stay. There were many adoptions and many deformities. However, the hospital had a friendly family atmosphere, the staff getting to know the patients who, often, came back year after year. When going to home deliveries, the student midwives had to walk everywhere – shades of the series of books written by Jennifer Worth, describing her life as a midwife in the 1950’s, which Pat thought was very similar to her own training. Mount Pleasant eventually closed when services were moved to the more modern Morriston Hospital which had a totally different atmosphere. Pat has many happy and funny memories, some not suitable for publication! Like the lady who arrived to have her baby wearing only a fur coat, and the supposed father who, told he had a beautiful baby, replied that he was only the taxi driver! Pat’s talk caused a lively discussion among members remembering their own experiences. Margaret Jones thanked Pat for her interesting and amusing talk. e “God giveth memories so we can have roses at Christmas” quoted Mrs Diane Richardson who spoke on May 19th about her memories of being a child in Swansea during the War years. Like most families, her father was in the Forces and she was brought up by her mother. Living opposite a coal tip, the local children had an ideal playground; all they needed was a tin tray to slide down it. Diane remembers playing with local gypsy children, going to the air raid shelter and carrying a jam jar containing a candle, instead of a torch. She remembers the cockle woman who walked to Swansea market from Penclawdd. Milk was delivered by horse and cart and doors were never locked. Food was often short with rationing in force but what they had was fresh and nourishing. Even the smallest garden had a few chickens and rabbits. Vegetables were grown in every available space and there was Parish of Killay 16 2015

always a stock pot on the go to provide soup. Most women could pluck and clean a chicken or skin a rabbit. Diane spoke, with fond memories of sop (cubed bread with warm milk, butter and sugar), bread and dripping and, best of all, Sunday tea – tinned peaches with Nestlé cream and bread and butter. Good table manners were insisted upon. There were vivid memories of killing their cockerel for Christmas lunch – Diane’s mother cooked it but she and her brother were so upset, none of the family could eat it, so they sent it round to their next door neighbours. In the home, Lifebuoy or Fairy soap cleaned everything including human beings and no one would think of washing the whites without Reckitts Blue. Diane remembers the smell of special soap and the tooth comb used if nits were caught in school. Another familiar smell was that of the air raid shelter. Both sets of Diane’s grandparents owned shops and she had her ﬁrst banana in one of the shops – she tried to eat it with the skin on! She remembers being chastised for asking an American soldier for some chewing gum. Her grandfather read a Welsh bible to them every night. She reminisced about wrap around pinnies and turbans, babies sleeping in drawers in large families and, worst of all, the knitted swimsuit which stretched in the water! Finally, if she really wanted something special, she was always told “when we win the Pools” – it was years before she found out that the family never did the Pools. However, she always felt loved. Jean Minchella thanked Diane for her talk, saying most of us there could remember those times. e Please remember there will be no Mothers’ Union meeting in St Hilary’s on June 2nd. We will be meeting in St Paul’s, Sketty Parish Centre, at 2:00pm for a talk about Argentina. On Wednesday, June 10th, we leave St Hilary’s at 11:00am for our trip to the Diocesan Festival in Brecon Cathedral which starts at 2:30pm, followed by a meal at the Abercrave Inn. On Tuesday, June 16th, our meeting will include a talk by Mrs Sarah Harris “A Trip to India”. Parish of Killay 17 2015

Head Boy of Olchfa school Jack Powell, eldest grandson of Mike and Sylvia Powell, has just been made Head Boy of Olchfa school for the 2015/2016 school year. Jack, the eldest son of Lisa, was christened and conﬁrmed at St Hilary's. Together with his brothers, Sam and Callum, we have watched him growing up in the church and wish him well in the future. His family, in Swansea and Australia, are all extremely proud of his achievements.

Parish Outing to Bristol & Cathedral Sunday 28 June 2015 Free time in the City Choral Evensong in Cathedral 4.15pm Depart St Hilary’s 9.00am £12.00 pp (payment in envelope with name to Wardens by 17 June please)

Evening meal (ﬁve choices) arranged on return journey (£8.95 for main, starter/dessert available extra) Choices on sheet at back of Church Further information contact Church Wardens or Colin on 201364 Please make every eﬀort to attend as it is time with friends. All welcome Parish of Killay 18 2015

VE Day Celebrations Sunday 17 May 2015 Afternoon Tea Party at the Parish Centre Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of VE DAY

Parish of Killay 19 2015

A London evacuee in Dorset

I was three years old when I was evacuated from St John’s Wood in London to Dorset. I remember my mother and grandmother leaving me at a reception centre where I cried for them all night. Next morning I was taken by car with 2 WVS ladies, very distressed and car sick to my home for the duration of the war. I was delivered to the small hamlet of Newtown and a thatched cottage. Aunty picked me up and I was put into a lovely feather bed and made so welcome. I bonded well with Aunty and Uncle and settled in with their son and daughter. Uncle worked in the paper mill at the end of the village. Their son joined the RAF and sadly lost his life over Holland. The cottage had oil lamps and a large kitchen range for cooking and heat. The large garden provided all the vegetables and fruit and we had chickens and rabbits. The well in the front garden provided all the water. The washhouse had a large copper for doing the washing and the privy was down the end. There was always a cat called Fluffy. Opposite the cottage was the village forge where we could watch the blacksmith shoe the horses. The milkman came twice daily with his horse and cart with the milk churns on. I went to Witchampton Church School with my friend Alan, who came from a large family nearby. In summer we paddled in the mill stream and caught minnows in jam jars, avoiding the eels! We used to visit Uncle in the mill to see the huge vats of pulp which was turned into massive rolls of paper. Airmen used to visit from the nearby re-‐fuelling station and I still have a perspex cross made by one of them. Aunty and I had a fright one afternoon while we were in the garden, a German plane came so low over the hedges we could see the guns and the pilot’s helmet and goggles. We just stood petrified. I think the plane later crashed and the pilot was on the run for a couple of days before being captured. I still have a horror of leather helmets and goggles. On Saturdays we used to wait at the bus shelter just past the post office to wait for Toomers bus into Wimborne. Sometimes we went to the Tivoli cinema, I remember seeing a Roy Rogers film. Parish of Killay 20 2015

Fish and chips were always a delicious treat and I loved to hear the Salvation Army band. I remember there was a British Restaurant and Boots the Chemist with a lending library. There used to be an ‘Olde Worlde’ tea shop in a side street by the Minster where we would have a cup of tea after doing the shopping. Oh, and those public conveniences with, I think, a turnstile and penny in the slot. On rare occasions we caught the Royal Blue to Bournemouth for the big shops, that was an all day aﬀair and we would visit the gardens. At some point during my stay I had a spell in the cottage hospital, I was taken wrapped in a blanket in the doctor’s car. The postman diagnosed chicken pox when I developed all over spots! Calomine lotion and Germalene ointment seemed to cure all ills during the war. My little brother joined me for a couple of years and my father used to visit, sometimes with my mother, when he had leave from the Army. I went back to London in July 1945. I remember celebrating the end of the war at school, we had a party and Mrs Hill, our teacher, gave me a bouquet to present to the lady who lived in the Manor House. I was so lucky to have such a happy time as an evacuee and I often return to the village and reminisce, drive past the cottage, the village shop, still there, the chapel where I went to Sunday School and ‘rest and be thankful’ the seat round the tree at the junction at the top of the hill. The local garage is still there, the gates to Crichel House where we used to watch cricket in summer. The house across the road from the cottage where two old ladies lived who bred bantams. They used to give me little eggs and pulled out my loose teeth with string and a door handle. It is still so timeless. Over the last few years I have discovered that my father’s family were Dorset people, at one time according to the local census there were 41 of his ancestors living and working in and around Corfe Castle village, so it is in my blood, it’s my spiritual home. Sandra Banks Parish of Killay 21 2015

Watch out Watch out, the Wardens are out…. Not everyone has Sundays off – traffic wardens find rich pickings outside churches and are keen to exercise their powers while the car owners are inside praying for peace and love. Recently, outside St Hilary’s, several cars have been booked for parking illegally during the morning service. One particular Sunday, there was a Christening in church and some of the visitors were surprised to find a yellow ticket on their windscreen – what a welcome! It seems you can park in a bus bay in Sketty to do your shopping but not outside church on Sunday to worship. Congregation, please take note…. Despite this being custom and practice and never being acted on before the parking wardens have now decided to target us. Parking on the bus stop is fairly obviously illegal but, apparently, it is also illegal to park side by side in rows from the curb. This is classed as ‘double parking’ and, even though it causes no obstruction to anyone, is likely to earn you a hefty fine. As we face great changes with the advent of the Ministry Area here’s something to reflect on and have a giggle -‐ but it is very apt. I’ve been coming here on Sundays for seventy years or so. ‘Twas here that I was christened and ‘tis here I’ll want to go. Now, I know you all get vexed about changes to belief. Well, frills on top don’t matter if you’re comfy underneath. I never let it bother me if I’m High or Low or what, While I’ve got the Ten Commandments I won’t go wrong a lot. I like the old-‐fashioned prayer book but they all disagree. Well, they can have what pleases them and I’ll read what suits me. And half the hymns we sing these days I’ve never heard before But I can stand and listen, and perhaps I’ll learn some more. All these guitars and instruments -‐ it’s no more than what they had Before they put the organ in, when my Grandad was a lad. And I don’t suppose God’ll worry; He wouldn’t make a fuss As long as the singing’s meant for Him and not for us. We’ve had clergy coming straight from college, full of something new From incense on the altar to posters in the pew. And I let them all get on with it, ‘cos all these fashions pass And you’ll still do the flowers and I’ll still clean the brass. I‘ve got this seat I’ve always had, no draughts and nice and near, So I can hear the organ and see the vicar clear. And I tell God what’s been happening and what a week I’ve had. I thank Him for the good times and He helps me through the bad, Because all that really matters, as far as I can see, Is that I, down here, remember Him, and He remembers me. Parish of Killay 22 2015

SIMEON FELLOWSHIP -‐ ANNUAL OUTING 2015 This will take place on Tuesday 28 July departing from Saint Hilary's car park at 9am. Our first stop will be at Atlantic College, St Donat's Castle, Llantwit Major where we will be given a formal guided tour -‐ we will be taken in two groups. Following a tea or coffee break we will proceed to Cardiff where we will have two drop off points one in the City and one at the Bay. Below is a list of possible attractions which are in addition to the numerous other indigenous attractions of Cardiff. Some ladies also like to visit the shops! We will leave Cardiff at 6pm and stop for a meal on the way home. (Venue TBA) We should arrive home circa 9.30pm. The cost is £15 per person which includes the fee for the Castle Tour at St Donat’s. Below are some brief details of some of Cardiff’s attractions. ln the City area. ★ Cardiff Castle. Visits with tours available. ★ Welsh National Museum and Gallery. ★ Millennium Stadium. The WRU offer guided tours. There is also the WRU official shop. ★ Saint David's Shopping Centre. ★ Saint David's Hall. ln the Bay area. ★ Weather permitting there are lovely walks especially on the Barrage towards Penarth. ★ The Senedd. The environmentally supportive headquarters of the Welsh Government. You may visit it individually or join a guided tour. Boat trips around the Bay. Water Taxi up the Taff to the City. ★ The Millennium Centre. Lots of interest here and guided tours are offered which take you behind the stage and through the dressing rooms etc. Very interesting. ★ Doctor Who Exhibition and tour. The official BBC site. ★ Techniquest. We have to give Atlantic College our numbers preferably seven days before we go so that they can organise their Guides. All are welcome on this Outing and do not need to be members of the Simeon Fellowship. Please contact Jim Sander on 204962, or have a chat with Roy Chapman or Eric Thomas if you are interested.

Have you got something you would like to say? Read a good book? Seen a good ﬁlm or play? Had a good holiday? Recommend a recipe? Gardening tips? Something interesting or funny happened to you? Tell us about it. There is a post box at the back of church – just drop in your contributions and we will share them in the magazine. Or e-‐mail to reesfolk@btinternet.com Articles for the magazine can be submitted any time up to the last Sunday of the month for publication the following month. Roger Parish of Killay 23 2015

VE Day -‐ Down Memory Lane 2015 brings many milestones -‐ it’s 200 years since Waterloo, 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta and 600 years since Agincourt, and this month marks 70 years since WWll came to an end in Europe. 1945 began in war and ended in peace. May 8th was a major landmark when VE Day was celebrated throughout the UK. Churchill made his famous victory speech and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the Royal family and the nation partied in the streets. lt was a momentous year with some memorable dates :-‐ 29th March the last V-‐1 flying bomb attack on the UK (the last enemy action of any kind on British soil) -‐ one strikes Datchworth in Hertfordshire. 13th April Robert Mclntyre elected 1st MP for the Scottish National Party. 15th April British troops liberate the Bergen-‐Belsen concentration camp. 23rd May Churchill forms a 'caretaker' Conservative administration, ending the Wartime Coalition Government. 15th June Parliament passes the Family Allowance Act to provide payments to families with children. 5th July Polling day for the General Election; but the count is not made for another 3 weeks so that votes from the armed services overseas can be added. 17th July Potsdam Conference -‐the 3 main Allied leaders (Churchill, Roosevelt & Stalin) begin their final summit meeting. 26th July General Election results are announced; Winston Churchill resigns as Prime Minister after a landslide Labour victory and Attlee takes over negotiations in Potsdam. 29th July the BBC Light Program radio station is launched, aimed at mainstream light entertainment and music. 5th August the Giles family cartoon first appears in the Sunday Express. 16th August in the House of Commons, opposition leader Churchill speaks of an ‘iron curtain’ descending across Europe. 24th October the British government signs the United Nations Charter. December Alexander Fleming and Florey and Chain win the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine “for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases.” 31st December Britain receives its first shipment of bananas since the start of the war in 1939. Parish of Killay 24 2015

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Parish of Killay 25 2015 ©puzzles(to(print.com1

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the complete sign service Tel: 01792 646949 Fax: 01792 652227 The only neon sign Manufacturer in south west wales

Parish of Killay 26 2015

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GOWER Interior & Exterior Work Undertaken No job too small!!! Free Quotations upon Request

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Killay precinct, swansea, Tel: 01792 203311 Open 7 days a week for freshly brewed coffee, teas, hot chocolate, toasted teacakes and desserts. Wide selection of bar lunches from toasted sandwiches, fresh sandwiches & paninis; chillies, pasta, fresh local fish, mixed grills, omelettes and many more home-made specialities. Wide variety of beers available, including weekly guest beers mentioned in the Good Beer Guide. Sunday lunches served 12 noon to 2:30 pm in restaurant and at the Bar. Reservations advisable. Restaurant available for Lunches, Dinners, Buffets & Private Functions. New menu available every day

Parish of Killay 28 2015

PAUL HARTNOLL 64 Goetre Fawr Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7QU Painting & Decorating, Internal & External FREE ESTIMATES!! Tel: 01792 419693 – Mobile: 07931610204

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Your only local Estate Agent with worldwide coverage

• Sales, Rentals & Auctions • Relocation Specialists • Residential, Commercial and Industrial Valuations • RICS House Buyers Survey Reports • Rent Reviews / Lease Renewals • Rating and Compensation • Commercial Property Advisors • Mortgage Advice Contact Branch Manager David Parton 419 Gower Road Killay Swansea SA2 7AN Tel: 01792 298014 Fax: 01792 280847 e-mail: ki@dawsonsproperty.co.uk website: dawsonsproperty.co.uk Branches at: Swansea, Morriston, Killay, Sketty, Mumbles, Gorseinon, Llanelli & Swansea Marina

Parish of Killay 30 2015

Interior Exterior Electrical Plumbing

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D U N VA N T

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Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

Alex Wood

MBAcC (Member of the British Acupuncture Council)

Over 10 Years Experience of Treating Complaints. Tel: 01792 651717 Mob: 07812 702382 www.swanseaacupuncture.co.uk Natural Health Service 2 Page St Swansea

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Wide Selection of Small Animals Full range of Foods and Accessories Free Delivery to local area Broadmead, Killay, SA2 7EE

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Parish of Killay 31 2015

Exercise Classes

ENQUIRIES CHRISTINE O’ROURKE 01792 290100

St Hilary’s Church Hall, Killay:

Tues

10:00 – 11:00 am

Ladies

St Paul’s Parish Centre, Sketty:

Tues

7:30 – 9:30 pm

Ladies

Thurs 10:00 – 11:00 am

Ladies

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Parish of Killay 32 2015

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Parish of Killay 33 2015

KILLAY OPTICIANS David Jenkins BSc(Hons) FCOptom Joe R. Warchal BSc(Hons) Accredited to provide Wales EYE Health Examinations Welsh Low Vision Service

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Parish of Killay 34 2015

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Parish of Killay 35 2015

Church Services St Hilary’s 1st Sunday

10.30am 6.00pm

Family Eucharist (followed by coﬀee with Traidcraft Stall) Evensong

2nd Sunday

10.30am 6.00pm

Holy Eucharist Combined Evensong with Siloam

3rd Sunday

10.30am 6.00pm

Holy Eucharist Evensong

4th Sunday

10.30am 6.00pm

Holy Eucharist Healing Service

5th Sunday

10.30am 6.00pm

Holy Eucharist Evensong at St Martin’s

11.am

Holy Eucharist

Every Thursday

St Martin’s 1st Sunday

8.00am

Holy Eucharist

2nd Sunday

9.00am

Sung Eucharist

3rd Sunday

9.00am

Sung Eucharist

4th Sunday

9.00am

Sung Eucharist

5th Sunday

9.00am 6.00pm

Sung Eucharist Evensong with St Hilary’s at St Martin’s

St Hilary’s Church Hall – Parish Centre

Two large rooms with refreshment and disabled facilities available for hire ….. parties, anniversaries, meetings etc.

Phone 07902844379

Parish of Killay 2015