The summer heat is really upon us but our magazine is full of cool news and events. Read about Rev’d Lexi, our new rector, meet her dog Bugsy and see what the Church Cat has to say about them. There’s a report on our fete, news of family workshops at the churches courtesy of Farnham Maltings, and yet another dog – Lilli, the Maltese, who is bringing her human, Jenny, to St John’s for a Regency evening of Pugs and Prejudice.
That’s just a brief glance at some of what you can read if you click below. And check out our advertisers too!
Join us at St John’s Church on Friday 4th July at 7pm as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, with Pugs and Prejudice, an entertaining talk about Austen’s life as well as the dogs and costumes of the Regency period. Admission is free.
The talk will be given by Jenny Colquhoun, a local Jane Austen expert and enthusiast. She will be assisted by her Maltese dog, Lilli (pictured above). The pair will be dressed in matching Regency outfits and there will be a selection of bonnets, top hats, waistcoats and cravats for you to try on, too.
To accompany the event, Margaret Emberson and Lesley and Bob Shatwell will play Regency music, and there will be refreshments, including homemade cakes. You will also have a chance to win some Maltesers from Lilli.
You may have visited Jane Austen’s home in Chawton, but did you know that her family also had a Farnham connection? Jane’s brother, Henry, became a curate in Farnham in 1819. This raises the question, did Jane ever visit her brother in Farnham? Henry has often been described as her favourite brother, so it seems hard to believe that she never travelled here. There is nothing in her letters to suggest that she did but, since some of her letters were burned by her sister, it is fun to imagine that perhaps Jane was familiar with our town too.
Join us on Friday, July 4th, at 7pm, at St John’s, Hale, for an entertaining evening of doggy tales and tails, bonnets and bows. Although admission is free, there will be the opportunity to make a donation towards restoring St John’s tower. Please let us know if you are coming as we need to know how many to cater for and Lilli wants to know how many packs of Maltesers to pop in her Regency reticule. Call 07842761919 or email admin@badshotleaandhale.org.
Pictured: Left: A Reticule bag. (Image from Look and Learn, Rijksmuseum). Right: Jenny and Lilli at a recent Jane Austen event.
A year ago we lost Frances Whewell, a dearly loved member of our parish who organised the music for us and played the organ, with an especial love for Emily, the Edwardian organ at St Mark’s. She was not just a musician, but a poet, a thinker, a member of Amnesty International, a devoted wife and mother, and a dear friend to many.
Frances died in July 2023 after being diagnosed with cancer in the spring and, a year on, we are planning a musical tribute to her on the afternoon of September 7th at St John’s. The parish choir will be joined by soloist Olivia Jasper and other musicians for a concert which will begin at 2.30pm. The concert will be followed by a cream tea.
Admission will be free but there will be the opportunity to make donations to help with parish funds.
To book your tickets, email June Jasper, or call her on 07807 881311.
Pictured top is Frances playing the organ at home.
Frances reading a poem at the 2023 Literary Festival
Frances (far left), her husband Paul, and Dave and Helena Walter, taking part in the 2018 Hale Carnival with their model of Emily the organ.
Sunday, February 4th was a bittersweet day – a day to reflect with joy and gratitude on all that Lesley and Alan Crawley had given to the parish over the past 12 years, and a day to say a sad farewell to them as they embarked on their retirement.
That morning, St Mark’s Church was full of people from the parish and beyond, some of whom had known Lesley and Alan from the beginning of their ministry in Badshot Lea and Hale in November 2011, others who had met them more recently, but all keen to wish them well in the next stage of their lives.
Among the well-wishers was Rt Rev’d Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorking, who presided at the service and spoke about how blessed the parish had been to have had ‘two for the price of one’ with Lesley and Alan, who have their own different gifts.
Alan, who has the sort of mind that Bishop Paul said he would “give (his) right arm for”, is a tech expert who set up systems to ensure that the large parish with three churches – St Mark’s, St John’s and St George’s – could be run smoothly, while also having “a gentle patience which enables others to flourish”.
The bishop described Lesley as bringing to the parish “remarkable” leadership and having “levels of ambition and energy that are just not normal”. He said “The worse thing you can ever say to her is ‘I just don’t think that’s possible’ because she’ll prove to you that it is.”
Among the projects which Lesley has turned her energy and ambition to have been restoring ‘Emily’ the Edwardian organ and the Kitty Milroy murals – works of national significance – at St Mark’s, transforming the finances so that the parish is sustainable, as well as ministering in a populous community where life is not always easy.
Bishop Paul said: “If you have been incumbent of Badshot Lea and Hale you have credibility. It’s a large parish with a significant population and it has a good deal of suffering it. (Lesley and Alan) have managed ministry in some difficult situations. Some of the suffering has pulled on their heartstrings enormously and yet they have been faithful in season and out, in times of joy and in sorrow.” Bishop Paul described them as, “two priests who are deeply servants”.
You can watch a video of Bishop Paul’s speech here:
Lesley and Alan recalled many of their own favourite stories from the parish, including the little boy who said ‘cheers’ when Lesley raised the communion chalice, the yodelling song at a funeral, the chocolate brioche for communion, the email from Emily Mangles even though she had been dead for years, and the time Alan was found lying in the churchyard (he was checking to see if there was space for a grave). Then there were the two princesses, and the time Special Branch had to be involved when Jeremy Hunt MP was invited to speak at a meeting.
Dave Walter, who has taken on the role of PCC Lay Vice-Chair and is overseeing the operational side of the parish during the vacancy before we have a new incumbent, spoke on behalf of the parish and reiterated Bishop Paul’s feelings that the parish had been “blessed to have got two for one”. He recounted some memories including the time he had responded to a call for the choir and volunteers to join Lesley at one of the new housing estates while they had a Christmas street party with carol singing. “I enjoy singing carols so I went along. To my horror no other singers arrived so Lesley and I were left to lead the community singing.” Another time Lesley duetted was at the Harvest Supper when she and Bob Shatwell launched into Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.
Dave also recounted a baptism at St Mark’s where the baptism party included 15 godparents. “The church was heaving with people, the regulars in two rows at the back and the baptism party filling the rest of the church. Looking at the congregation, Lesley duly filled the chalice generously. When it came time for communion few, if any, of the baptism party took communion and despite the regulars taking a hearty gulp Lesley was left a significant amount of wine to consume. Some of the regulars were convinced that they could see the moment when the alcohol hit her and had to plan how to get her home safely.”
He added: “One of the significant legacies that Lesley and Alan will leave us is the number of the people from the parish who they have encouraged and supported to start their own ministry journey.” This is something that will stand the parish in good stead as we move to the next stage here in Badshot Lea and Hale.
The parish is now ‘in vacancy’ which means that there is no incumbent. The post will be advertised shortly and it is hoped that a new rector will be appointed this summer. We are looking for someone who is inclusive and keen to walk with us as we continue to grow in our faith and commitment to God and to our community.
A talk by Alexis Quinn Friday, July 21st, 7.30pm St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale
International speaker and neurodiversity expert Alexis Quinn will draw on the latest research and her lived experience to speak about:
Neuro-affirming ways to think about difference and diversity;
Autism and mental well-being;
Common challenges faced by neurodivergent people and their families;
How to helpfully support neurodiverse people.
Alexis Quinn is a former schoolteacher and professional athlete and the author of two books: her ground-breaking memoir Unbroken, and Autistic and Expecting, a guide for autistic parents-to-be. Alexis speaks globally on neurodivergence, mental well-being and building the right support. She works as Manager of the Restraint Reduction Network, is mother to two neurodivergent children and is studying for an MSc in Psychotherapy at University of Greenwich.
The talk is free and there will be a chance to ask questions. Alexis will also sign personalised copies of her book, Unbroken, at the discounted price of £10.
Rev’d Lesley Crawley said: “We are so fortunate to have Alexis to speak at St Mark’s and to give her expert insight into how we can best support neurodivergent people and their families. More and more research is being carried out into how the make-up of our brains affects our everyday lives and how our surroundings and interactions can have an impact on us. If we have a greater understanding of each other it can help us to be more accommodating and compassionate and also allow us to connect with greater authenticity.”
Come to the free Barn Dance at St George’s on Saturday, February 25 at 7pm.
There will be dances suitable for all with clear instructions from caller Kris Lawrence and music by Cajun Boogaloo, and a guest appearance by Jackstraws Morris.
No charge, just come along and have fun. Bring your own drinks and snacks. There will also be a raffle and an opportunity to donate to church funds.
The Farnham Poetry Competition 2023 has now opened and this year the theme is hope.
There is a children’s competition, open to under-16s, and an adult one, and entrants are asked to write a poem on the theme of hope – what gives them hope, what hope is, where we might find it, anything about hope.
Poems should be sent by email to poetry@badshotleaandhale.org or by post to Farnham Poetry Competition, St Mark’s Church, Alma Lane, Farnham, GU9 0LT, to arrive by 5pm on Friday, February 24.
The competition is being run by the parish and is part of the Farnham Literary Festival which is being held across Farnham between March 3 and 12.
The children’s poetry competition is being judged by poet Coral Rumble and the adult one by poet Ellora Sutton. The competition is free to enter and there will be prizes for the first prize-winners and runners-up in both categories. The winners will be announced at the poetry final evening on Saturday, March 11, at St Mark’s Church at 5pm, when there will also be an open mic for anyone to share their poetry, and the two judges will also perform their work.
Stella Wiseman, who is organising the competition on behalf of the Literary Festival, said: “We are living through extraordinarily difficult times at the moment and sometimes we can feel pretty hopeless. But there is hope around us and within us and this competition is an opportunity to explore where we might find it, what gives us hope, how we share that hope, really anything about hope.
“Last year, the poetry competition really showed the breadth of talent, ideas and sheer joy to be found in people and their writing and we really hope that this year will be the same. Please do have a go, and just enjoy yourselves writing.
“And once again we are delighted to have Coral Rumble and Ellora Sutton on board to judge the competition. They are both inspiring poets and we are honoured that they are taking part.”
Coral Rumble (left) and Ellora Sutton
Ellora Sutton is a Hampshire-based poet and museum person. She is the Creative Engagement Officer at Jane Austen’s House, and has been the Poet-in-Residence at both Jane Austen’s House and Petersfield Museum. Her work has been published inThe Poetry Review, The North,bath magg, and Popshot, among others, and she reviews poetry for Mslexia. Her latest pamphlet, Antonyms for Burial, was published in 2022 by Fourteen Poems and is the Poetry Book Society‘s Spring 2023 Pamphlet Choice. She tweets @ellora_sutton, or you can find her at ellorasutton.com
Coral Rumble is a popular, award-winning poet, with five poetry collections, plus 170+ anthology contributions. The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat (picture book) was longlisted for Oscar’s Book Prize Award.
Coral won the Caterpillar Poetry Prize, 2018. Her collections have been promoted by education magazines and shortlisted for awards. Her verse novel, LittleLight (2021) was a recommendation for National Poetry Day 2021, and was a chosen text for Empathy Day 2022. It has also been longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2023. Her debut novel, Jakub’s Otter will be published in 2023.
Entrants should state whether they are entering the adult or under-16 category. Adults with particular educational needs may enter the under-16s category (call 07842761919 or email for further information).
The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Come to the free barn dance at St Mark’s , Upper Hale, on Saturday, October 15th, at 7pm, with local favourites Cajun Boogaloo, well known for their presence at festivals, clubs and pubs around the UK and in Europe.
There will be traditional reels, square dances, circle dances and a lot of fun for all ages and abilities, with clear instructions from caller Kris Lawrence. Those who don’t feel energetic or who need a rest can sit at the tables around the church. People are invited to bring their own food and drink, but tea, coffee and cake will be available for sale. There is no entrance fee but donations are welcome.
Come and join the fun – all ages and abilities welcome!
We invite barking, squeaking, chirping and maybe even a little slithering at church on Sunday, October 2 when the parish holds a pet service at each of its three churches.
Pets of all shapes and sizes will be welcomed to St John’s at 9.30am, St George’s at 10am and St Mark’s at 11am, for a service to celebrate our pets and ask for God’s blessing on them. Anyone who doesn’t want to bring their pet but still wants to celebrate them and have them blessed is encouraged to bring a photo of the pet. Children are welcome to bring toy pets and come dressed as animals too.
Rev’d Stella Wiseman says: “We decided to hold the service on October 2nd as it is a day which celebrates St Francis of Assisi who was known for his love of and care for animals and is often depicted with them. Our pets bring us great joy and are part of God’s creation so we want to celebrate them and give thanks for everything they give us. For many people having a pet is an enormous comfort and can help our mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. They can also be great companions especially to people who are on their own.
“We expect the services to be chaotic and great fun, so please come along! However, there will also be an earlier communion service at St George’s at 9am for people who prefer their worship without animal accompaniment!
To join in the fun, come to any of the three churches on Sunday, October 2.
Serving the Villages North of Farnham: Badshot Lea, Hale, Heath End & Weybourne
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 