news in pictures | crockhamhillchurch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remembrance Sunday 2021

In the Porch - Valerie Stringer Wheatsheaf - Min Reynolds In the Porch - Heather Lancaster

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Next to the Altar - Rachel Prime Both sides of screen - Jane Turtle Lectern - Daryl Addiscott

Harvest Flowers - October 2021

Back window ledge - Sue Easton Back Table - Trish Proctor Near the Pulpit - Olga Court

-Octavia Hill window - Annie Blissett Baptismal Font Four window ledges - Judy Newton & Tiffany

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mkwala School, Kongwa - Water Harvesting System

The cistern was broken and the parishioners of Crockham Hill raised funds to rebuild it, and to sink a borehole so that the school and the surrounding inhabitants would have a constant supply of fresh water.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sue and Richard Diggory's Farewell picnic on 21 August

Mkwala School in Kongwa

Tanzania

Both the students sponsored by us have now left St Philips Theological College

Neema Zakayo is serving as a catechist at Pandambili Deanery and may go forwards for ordinatio.

Jeremia Isaka has been allocated a permit to minister in Kongwa prison.

Sheila Burbidge's funeral on 14th April 2021 Flowers arranged by her friends

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easter flowers at Holy Trinity, Crockham Hill 2021

HRH Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh

1921 - 2021

Blessed Jesus,
Lord of Lords and King of Kings,
we give you thanks
for the life of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh .
for the grace and mercy
he received from you,
for his faithful love and support
of Her Majesty, The Queen,
and his service to this nation
at home and abroad.
Enfold him in your everlasting arms
grant him rest
and raise him up at the last
in the company of the saints in light. Amen

We remember, too, the Royal Family in their bereavement.

Sue and Richard Diggory leave the Vicarage for the last time, and are presented with flowers and an album of photographs of their seven years in Crockham Hill.

14 March 2021

Mothering Sunday

Flowers in Church, which is gradually opening up after a year of Lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Reverend Ali Cooper was licensed by the Bishop of Rochester at a Zoom service on 3rd March 2021

31st January 2021 Candlemass

Sue Diggory's final service

After seven brilliant years in Crockham Hill, Sue retired today, and she and Richard will move to Groombridge on 15th February.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic it was a zoom service, and only Sue, Richard and Lorraine Ashley were in the Church.

Lorraine paid a moving tribute to Sue and showed slides of her time in the Village.

Kev Reynolds wrote in the Newsletter:

Both she and Richard will be sorely missed, for individually and as a team they’ve played a major part in the life of the village and the wider community over the past seven years. Their influence extends beyond the boundaries of Crockham Hill, though, as does the love and respect they have earned here.

Holy Trinity flagpole on Christmas Day 2020

And then 2 days later, after storm Bella

on 27th December

Holy Trinity decorated for Christmas 2020

Sadly with the Covid-19 pandemic only a thinly spaced communion can be held on Christmas morning at 8.45am

Day 7 On Horns Hill

Day 5 At Horns Hill

Advent Day 2 In Hilders Lane

Day 3 In Meadow Lane Day 4

Day 6 all the way from the Markham family in Norway

Day 8 In Spout Lane

Day 9 In Westerham

Day 10 In Oakdale Lane Day 11 In Church Lane Day 12 Pre school

Day 13 A local crib in Crockham Hill Day 14 The Vicarage

Day 15 A crib in Belgium

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18 Crib from Upminster

Day 19 Crib at Hever

Day 20 Crib - 3 days to go

Day 20

Advent in Crockham Hill Advent Day 1 In Froghole Lane

Mary and Joseph are looking

for somewhere to stay each night........

The 2020 Christmas tree in the Village Garden

25th December In Holy Trinity

Mary and Joseph as they journey round Crockham Hill and beyond looking for somewhere to sleep and have their baby - Jesus.

Wildflower seeding in October 2020 in Andrewsfield, just south of the Churchyard, and indigenous hedge planting in November, including filling gaps in the extended churchyard where some had died of drought.

Confirmation

Julie Eyles with Bishop Simon after her confirmation on Sunday 4th October at an evening service at Tonbridge Parish Church

2020 Harvest Festival

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the display of fresh products, the size of the congregation, and the flower arrangers were limited.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felicity Gladstone wins National competition

Her winning watercolour showed the simple pleasure of sharing a cuppa with a friend in the garden.

The Grow Old Disgracefully Art Prize was launched this summer with the theme of ‘Happy Times’, inviting people over the age of 90 to pick up a paintbrush, pen or charcoal to enjoy creating a picture of what they recognise as happy moments.

The competition received many entries ranging from watercolour and oils to collages using natural foliage, and was judged by the acclaimed artist Adrienne Parker, the editor of The Artist magazine Sally Bulgin, and actress Dame Judi Dench.

Dame Judi said: “Picking a winner was not an easy task, but I loved the humour of Felicity’s painting, the two ladies enjoying a cup of tea in the garden with the mobility scooter parked on the path and the Zimmer frame in the corner while the dog is asleep under the table. A lovely painting capturing the essence of the times we are now living in.”

Graduation at St Philips Theological College, Kongwa

Naeema Zakayo was one of two students sponsored by a member of the congregation and by the PCC of Holy Trinity, Crockham Hill

Virtual Service during the covid-19 pandemic On 7th June 2020 at least 57 attended via Zoom

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 May 2020 VE 75 in Crockham Hill

Celebrating seventy five years since he end of the 2nd World War, and continuing to maintain 2 metre social distancing.

During Coronavirus Lockdown in April 2020 Crockham Hill School may be closed, but Collective Worship is still taking place. Holly and Sophie leading from their home, using lecterns made by dad!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easter trees in Crockham Hill 2020

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Palm Sunday Crosses on doors in Crockham Hill 2019

Mothering Sunday 22 March 2020

With the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the World, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have directed that all churches shall be closed for public worship.

This is Annie Blissett's presentation for all mothers in Crockham Hill

In a wicker teacup - a ‘cuppa for Mum’!

And above are Sue Diggory's photos of

Holy Trinity, taken after she had celebrated a lonely Mother's Day service.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Pot Supper 2020

Held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 25th February

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drought in Mpwapwa

In January Bishop Jacob and Mpwapwa Diocese thanked Rochester for the gift to alleviate the impact of the drought. Bishop Jacob is using the funds – just over £5,000 - to give 2 bags of maize (sweetcorn) seed to each of the 150 Pastors and 600 Catechists across the Diocese.

Two bags is sufficient seed to plant an acre of maize. As this year’s harvest was so poor, many have had to eat the maize that should have been set aside to plant for this year’s harvest.

Right of rood screen Candles on window shelf North window Left of of Rood screen

Under the pulpit Lectern position Back pew table Octavia Hill window

Flowers for Christmas 2019

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Entrance Porch

Nave from Font flowers

Toy Service on Advent Sunday 1st December 2019 Back at the Vicarage - Oakdale Lane

All the way from Texas At the Maples at Marlpit Hill Back at Oakdale Lane In the Ridgeway

To look after them!

At pre school for the night On Oakdale Lane In Spout Lane Hilders Lane

Sat 7th Sleeping in Spout Lane. Westerham Tunbridge Wells Marlpit Hill New Road

Mary and Joseph travel towards Bethlehem via Crockham Hill; They spend each night during Advent in a different house.

The first stays are at the bottom; the most recent at the top

Night one with Sienna and Rafferty 2 in Acorn Class 3. Sleeping at the Christmas party

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Messy Church on 17th November 2019

Lots of sheep fun with the Good Shepherd was attended by 21 children and 17 adults

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remembrance

Sunday 2019

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drought in Mpwapwa in Tanzania

These photos of the pupils of Mkwala School (linked with Crockham Hill School) show the effect of the drought on the harvest.

The shortage of seed, and its high cost disaffecting their ability to plant next season's seed.

Donations are urgently needed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Messy Church on 13th October 2019

After days of rain in Crockham Hill, it was time to find out how Noah coped!

Harvest Festival 8th October 2019

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deanery Orchard Village Tea party Sunday 14th July

Crockham Hill Community Interest Company purchased a redundant area of land, and have made a wild flower orchard with apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees for the benefit of the Crockham Hill community.

Stephen Barbor preached on 14th July 2019

on the Good Samaritan, and described with photos what we are doing to support our link parish in Kongwa - both church, school and community projects.

Messy BBQ

The last Messy Church of the season held on 30th June 2019 outside the School Hall

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trip to Kongwa May 2019 Stephen and Silvie Barbor met the ladies in Kongwa, say their chicken project, met Jeremiak and Neena the students studying at St Philip’s Theological College who are sponsored by Crockham Hill Parish and a congregation member.

Mkwala School May 2019 Showing the some of the desks donated The Copier donated by Crockham Hill School

by Crockham Hill School. They still need more as some

of the children have to write sitting on the floor.

Simon Burton-Jones Bishop of Tonbridge

preaches on Trinity Sunday on 16 June 2019

He presented a certificate signed by Bishop Jacob and Bishop James celebrating the union

between the dioceses of Mpwapwa and Rochester, and the link between St Michael's at Kongwa and Holy Trinity at Crockham Hill.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The annual Rogation Ramble

19th May 2019

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The annual Rogation Ramble might have been a bit short in numbers this year, but everyone enjoyed the walk which linked Obriss Farm, Toys Hill and Chartwell, arriving back in the churchyard for endless cups of tea and cake. Many thanks to Min for leading the walk, and to those who provided the refreshments.

Easter Sunday 21 April 2019

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Messy

Lent

24/03/19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anthony

Anthony Shipwright licensed by the Bishop of Tonbridge on 11th March 2019 as a youth worker throughout Rochester

Ash Wednesday 6th March 2019

'

Rev. Sue Diggory, Fr. Ben,

and Fr Stephen

are at Edenbridge station putting ash crosses on commuters' foreheads to celebrate the start of Lent.

A cold and windy morning!

and new banners in Holy Trinity for the Ash Wednesday School service

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A packed annual Hot Pot supper on Shove Tuesday in the Village Hall - 5/3/2019

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superb Ball on 2nd March 2019 in Village Hall

in aid of CH School and Mkwala School in Kongwa

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Messy Church

celebrates Candlemas

on 27th January 2019

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

School collective Worship on 9th January 2019

Crockham Hill School Banners - Archdeacon Julie blessed the new banners that reflect the school values of Respect, Aspiration, Resilience and Empathy. Money given to the School from last years fete help to make this possible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service of nine lessons and Carols

On 23- 12-18 a packed church heard superb music by candle light.

Probably the best carol service and homily (See sermons)

A time of peace

19th December 2018

Light in the darkness - a little Advent quiet in the church

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Todler Time in Church for the first time on 11th December 2018

19 in Sienna’s homemade shelter 20 At the Goodman's

16 At the Browns 17 In Froghole Lane 18 At School

13 In a Dolls House 14 - Sleeping at School 15 -Friday with the Banks Family

10 - Sunday night in Marl Pit Hill 11 -Overnight in Deanery Road 12 - Sleeping with the ducks

7 - Mary & Joseph find some new friends 8 - Sunday in Dairy Lane 9 -Overnight in Evie's Dolls House

Mary and Joseph rest each night during Advent 2018, as they travel through Crockham Hill towards their stable in Bethlehem

4 - Ready for the night at the Martin’s 5 - At Greentrees 6 -Teddies keeping them company in Deanery Rd

Day 1 in Spout Lane 2 - Spending the night with Aneira, Ethni and friends 3 - at Woodmote

Christening on 18th November

of Milly Rose Damodaran

Holy Trinity was packed with godparents, friends and relatives for a loving and enthusiastic service, followed by a delicious lunch in the Village Hall.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11th November 2018

Crockham Hill commemorates 100 years since the end of World War One

There was a packed service in Holy Trinity at 11.00am, when the names of the fallen of both World Wars were read, as well as the biographies of those who fell between 1914 and 1918.

At 7.00pm after prayers, the Crockham Hill beacon was lit , accompanying beacons all over the United Kingdom

Crockham Hill School commemorates 100 years since the end of World War One

On Friday 9th November 2018 the School children attended a moving service to remember those in Crockham Hill, and the rest of the country, who gave their lives

Commemorating 100 years

since the end of the 1914-18 war - 11 November 2018

Four of those, who lived in Crockham Hill, and gave their lives for their Country.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rhys Evans George Tillyard David Boyle Evan Evans

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Confirmation on 4th November 2018

Sarah Gibson,

Leah Loughlin,

Mollie Banks,

Max Aylward,

and Ruby Aylward

were all confirmed

by the Bishop of Tonbridge

at Hildenborough

Autumn 2018 at Holy Trinity

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fr. Owen retires from All Saints, New Cross

On 28th October 2018 Fr. Owen Beament retired after an amazing 44 years as priest of All Saints.

About 25 parishioners from Edenbridge and Crockham Hill attended a completely packed church for his last service celebrating their patronal festival. The Band of the Princess of Wales Regiment entertained us during and after the service.

Fr Owen has been a wonderful and inspiring friend not only to his parishioners, but to all in Edenbridge and Crockham Hill.

He will remain Vicar of Millwall Football Club!

Photographed 21st October by Richard Diggory

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Lorries repaired!

A happy Bishop Jacob!

We were sent photos of the three repaired vehicles after funds were raised in the Crockham Hill Village Hall last May.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Chicken Project

The chicken project is run from Hope’s yard. It started with 14 women contributing 14 chickens and 20 chickens given by Crockham Hill. Sadly some died due to disease, but they still have 25 chickens, kept to provide eggs. 30 eggs sell for Tsh 15,000 (around £3). Hope also has 3 adult pigs. Piglets sell for Tsh 60,000 (approx. £20) and an adult sells for Tsh 500,000.

Stephen and Silvie Barbor passed over £135 gift from the women of Crockham Hill for the women’s group which they rounded up to Tsh 400,000, for which the ladies and Rev Canon Luzineth were very grateful

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rebuilding St Michael's Church, Kongwa

The church leaders and congregation have achieved this through fundraising projects and the work of their hands!

The next stage is to put in wrought-iron windows and also plant a hedge to stop cattle getting too close to the church! Each window will cost Tsh 400,000 and there are 20!

Jeremiah Isaka and Neema Zakayo whose training as priests at St Philip's Theological College, near Kongwa is sponsored by the parish of Crockham Hill

Stephen and Silvie Barbor returned from Kongwa in Tanzania on 4th October. They stayed at St Philips Theological College, and

we took the opportunity to see the students sponsored through the Diocesan partnership. They wrote"We met Jeremiah. He has a wife, Lozina, and three children, Uster 13, George 10 and Sipha 4. They will be joining him next year, but for this first year he is living in the men’s dormitory. He is so grateful for the opportunity that Crockham Hill is giving him.

"We had the pleasure of meeting Neema whilst at St Philip’s. She was close to tears and jumped up and down with excitement when she heard that we were from Rochester Diocese and brought greetings from her sponsor. She is a very enthusiastic and able student who is doing really well in her course. She told us her heart is to share the Word of God with others. The unmarried men live in dormitories, but the single ladies live in these small round homes, with a living area including a desk and chair and a bedroom curtained off.

Neema comes from Kibaigwa in Mpwapwa Diocese, where she has a mother and father (Olivia and Stephen) and has 4 sisters and 1 brother"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

Harvest Thanksgiving 7th October 2018

We were joined by our friends from All Saint's New Cross

led by Fr. Owen, and Silvie and Stephen Barbor, who described what life was like in Tanzania, after their recent trip to our links in Kongwa - St Michael's Church, Mkwala School, and the women's chicken project

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Messy Harvest

23rd September

2018

The kids

all loved it

and the parents

welcomed

the savoury food!.

Some pictures from the Companion Dioceses celebration on 16th September: a great evening with an impromptu Swahili ‘choir’!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15th July 2018 - Daisy Elizabeth Kinley Golaszewski was christened A happy christening

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------