John Symonds authored the book, The History of the Old St George’s, and more recently worked on a history of The New St George’s, covering the period from the construction of the new church in 1970, to the year 2010. We are pleased to be serialising this account over the coming issues of St George’s News.
Chapter 7 - 2005
2005 proved to be a busy year. Carol Mckells became Church Treasurer in February and in March the Rev Ray Chapman was appointed part-time Assistant Priest. On leaving school in Derbyshire he first worked in a coal mine as a pony lad and later as a potter before training for the ministry at St Johns College Nottingham and at Lincoln and was ordained in 1971. From Swadlincote in Derbyshire he then moved to the Diocese of Newcastle. Whilst chaplain of the Blyth Harbour Docks he spent 5 years in the Lifeboat Service. After 17 years he trained as a Mental and Psychiatric Nurse eventually moving to Portsmouth to manage the Roberts Centre for the Homeless. After a serious illness in 1992 he specialised in Bereavement and Mental Health Therapy.
On Palm Sunday our service started with the usual procession, led by a donkey kindly loaned for the day by Keydell Nursery.
The local Funeral Directors, Edwards, donated a Christmas tree to be used as a memorial tree where people could hang the name of a loved one to be mentioned at a memorial service.
The parish records were removed for storage at Portsmouth Records office.
Within the newly formed Kairos groups, St Georges was linked with Purbrook, Portsdown, Denmead and Crookhorn. New P.C.C. members included Dick and Lesley Handy, Colin and Rosemary Monk, Adina Burton, Adrienne Bridger, Sandra Hewett, Ian Long and Anne Morgan. Lynda Sheffield founded a new Ladies Group called the Tweenies whilst the vicar founded the Georges Men. Both met monthly.
In July Ruth Loveman, a long term choir member, was ordained in Portsmouth Cathedral, a service attended by many of her friends from St George’s. Two successful fund raising events were held. First, Sue and David Hodgens held a Strawberry Sparkle in their garden and then in October a Harvest Supper and Barn Dance was held in the Church Hall.
