last few days

Monday 2nd July

Janine and I went to Valence House to visit the museum and have lunch but our main purpose was to visit the Archives based at Valence House and to present them with some newsletters, newspaper cuttings etc concerning George Carey Church of England Primary School.

We also visited Eastbury Manor, St. Patricks Church and ended the day back at the Rivergate Centre for a 'Revamp the Ripple' steering group meeting.  The Ripple is our local Nature Reserve for which a grant has been given to improve the facilities, signage etc...

Tuesday 3rd July

After Coffee and Chat in the Rivergate Centre Foyer - I rushed off to Hadleigh Salvation Army as I was the guest speaker for the South Essex Retired Officers Fellowship. I had been asked to speak about my 'role' as 'Community Chaplain' within the Barking Riverside Development Project.  I had a wonderful afternoon - with many encouraging comments, offers of prayer and lively discussions.

Nigel met me at 4pm and we went into Southend and had a lovely meal at Tomassi's Resturant before heading back to Hadleigh SA for the 'farewell' service for our Divisional Commander who is returning back to Scotland at the end of the month.

Wednesday 4th July

Janine and I had an interesting day at school - visiting the new teachers in their classrooms, helping to set up new classrooms and then visiting the classes again in the afternoon as each class went to visit their new teacher and classroom ready for September.

In the evening Karl and I attended Nigel's Induction as the President for Barking Rotary.  It was a fabulous evening.

 

Thursday 5th July

Visited a friend this morning who is 50 today :)) and this is one of her birthday presents - 'Cuddles' from her sister and niece.  Cuddles is a darling; however, Blossom and Suzi are yet to agree (Carol's other two cats!!)

Now off to print up the service sheets for Thames View Lodge this evening :))

Sharon's Ordination

I travelled to Chelmsford Cathedral today for my friend Sharon's Ordination. I paraded in with the other clergy and stuck out like a sore thumb!!! hahaha however, Alexandra (one of Sharon's daughters) told me after the service that it was 'really cool to see you walking up the isle in your full uniform' - so I made one person's day at least :))

The service was very moving and it was a priviledge to be asked by Sharon to attend in the role of 'supporting clergy'. Chelmsford Cathedral is such a magnificient building and the atmosphere within certainly added to the occasion.

Sharon and I first met at Redbridge Technical College (as it was called in an bygone era) where we took a shorthand and typing course - just sweet 16 (this year we both celebrated our 50th) We then went our separate ways and caught up with each other again 8 years ago when I moved back in to the area.

It still seems incrediable to me that we are both, although in different denominations, ordained minsters of the gospel - when we were 16 that thought was far from our minds..  Isn't it funny how life turns out?

Yesterday

Yesterday I had the priviledge to attend the Celebration of Life and Burial service for Malachi Kwabena Thornhill Bonsu.  Malachi died on the 5th June 2012 having spent the last six months of his short life at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital - he died from leukaemia age eight years old.  It was an honour to attend not just to 'Give Thanks' for Malachi's life but also to support his mum and dad (Yvonne and Kennedy) and his younger brother (Isaiah). It was wonderful to see so many people attending the service and that must have been so encouraging for the family.

I sat behind the Headteacher and staff for Eastbury Primary school, where Malachi was once a pupil, and his class teacher gave a very touching tribute.  The school has been closed for the day in memory of Malachi - how very moving and thoughtful.

My heart also went out to Pastor Carlton Smith, who was leading the service and who is also the Pastor to the family, because last year we were all in the same place supporting him at the Celebration of Life and Burial service for his wonderful wife, Janet Smith. Pastor Carlton said that Yvonne had said to him she was not worried about Malachi because Janet would be looking after him :)) 

As I looked at Pastor Carlton - my mind went back to the day of his wife's burial and I remember Yvonne and I sitting in the garden of Eastbury Manor (where the buffet was held after the burial service) and Yvonne phoned the 'After school club' at Barking New Testatment Assembly Church to let them know that Kennedy would be coming to pick the children up and I can remember her surprise as Pastor Carlton answered the phone and said it was OK he would inform the staff.  Pastor Carlton had gone straight from the burial of his wife to his church to make sure all the children and staff were OK at the After-school club before coming to Eastbury Manor for the buffet.  What a wonderful man of God :)) even at a time of his deepest sorrow he was putting the needs of others first.

(a prayer station in one of the classrooms at George Carey School)

When the Geroge Carey School first opened (last September) I used to get in quite early to make sure the teachers and staff were OK and in order to get to the school I have to drive down Marine Drive - now I would see Yvonne, Kennedy, Malachi and Isaiah all standing at the bus-stop and they would wave as I tooted and drove past going the other way.  My car is bright orange so you can't miss it and you can see it coming from a long way off - my lasting memory is one morning, in December, seeing them all standing to attention and saluting as I drove past :)))  When I got back from holiday in January - they were no longer at the bus-stop as Malachi, by then, was in hospital. I do so miss seeing them as it was such a lovely start to the day...

(our house backs onto the playground/playing field of a school)

When I got home - after a cuppa - I went up to my office and opened the window and all I could hear were the voices of the children from Manor in Longbridge School as they had a sports afternoon.

A gentle reminder that life goes on.....

Ripple Nature Reserve

This morning I joined Francesca, Janet and Holly on the Butterfly Transect count around the Ripple Nature Reserve and over on the Barking Riverside land by the River Thames.  My word it was a hot and humid morning even though the day started with showers - I should have stayed in Lidl next to the freezer compartment!!

(down by the River Thames - Janet, Francesca and Holly)

It was such a beautiful morning and I wanted to stop and watch the boats and tugs as they made their way up and down the river.  In fact when one tug went by I thought of Les Redfearne, one of my golden oldies from Thames View Lodge Residential Complex,  who - as a young boy and man - worked on the tugs and barge boats as a Lighterman.  Les died a couple of weeks ago and Nigel was leading the funeral service at the City of London Crematorium at 3.30pm.

Everytime I stopped to take a photo then I kept losing the other ladies! especially as the grass was so tall - in some places I gave up looking for butterflies and concentrated on not falling over anything :))

Francesca explained that for certain months of the year - a record was kept of the different types of butterflies that were habitating in the area.  We saw white (or cabbage butterflies as I know them) a red admiral, common blues and lots of various brown ones but I can't remember what they were called. Francesca also went on to say that because of the heavy rainfall there were few butterflies than were last year.  All in all it was a good and interesting morning - even thought I look like a red tomatoe at the end of our walk :))

(Broom Bush)

By the time we had finished the walk it was 1pm and I had to be at the school by 4pm for various committees - so from the Nature Reserve I went to Sainsburys then home - grapped something to eat and back out to George Carey School.

What also happened to day - Diane gave birth to a little girl 'Maddison'.

Home Alone

Nigel's at Rotary, Karl's out on a date and Karmen's out wandering around the school playing field behind our house - so that leaves me Home Alone *YAY*

It has been another day where, once again, I have had so many enjoyable, interesting and challening conversations with various people - that to come home to empty house is relaxing and allows me to unwind and mull over the day.  I appreciate evenings, such as this, where I have the house to myself with no one to cook for and I can wander around in my own world talking to myself; however, I was reminded this afternoon that I can feel this way because I know that, eventually, Nigel, Karl and Karmen will be coming home.  

This afternoon I visited Gwen and Bonnie and, in case you are wondering, it is a green tennis ball that Bonnie has in her mouth. Gwen is such a delightful lady - she is a Barking girl and has lived, in her current house, since 1975 before that in a flat on Thames View.  This afternoon I sat and looked at Gwen's wedding photos (I love going through people's photo albums) trying to recognize locations and smiling at the various outfits!!.

Gwen married at the age of 45 and was a widow by the time she reached 50 (my age) so she has no children of her own but two delightful nieces.  Gwen's main company, these days, is her dog, Bonnie, who is a most lively little thing but I becamed conscious, as we chatted, that I was probably the first person she had spoken to today or even in the last couple of days and I wondered how many other elderly people in Barking and Dagenham, who can't get out of there homes as easily as they once did - also find themselves in the same situation.  Maybe we should all adopt a granny or grandad.

I have to point out here that Gwen was not complaining in anyway but after all the interaction I haved had today with the children at school,  plus the conversations in the Rivergate Community Foyer, with the mums attending the parenting course and with staff and teachers - maybe I was more conscious of her situation.

I can enjoy being 'Home Alone' this evening because those I love dearly will be coming back home at some point and, in return, they know that a cup of tea will be waiting for them as soon as they step through the front door :)

Now let me introduce...

Janine, my co-partner in crime, with her puppet 'Holy Moley' - Holy Moley had a lot of conversations too, today, with the children in the nursery and the children of the mums attending the parenting course. The little ones loved Holy Moley's visit and what was more amusing is to see adults talking to a hand puppet!!!

Now for a cuppa and a read...

An Interesting Day

Holiday what Holiday?  ha-ha seems ages ago already :))  It has been another varied but enjoyable day.

(prayer space outside of the Reception Classes)

I started my day at school by attending the assembly organized by Penguin Class - it was very apt as it was all about Noah and the ark..the children did so well :))  Then Coffee & Chat outside in the foyer of the Rivergate Centre - not many attended today but Janine (Church of England Pioneer Missioner) and I had an interesting conversations with the mums who were present. The other week it was all about contraception! this week it was about not being able to have children and the affect it has on women and their relationships.

I received an invitation from The Creekmouth Preservation Society to attend a presentation by The Frederick Handley-Page Association. It was certainly a very interesting talk, especially as Frederick Handley-Page, world-renowed aeronautical engineer, had his aircraft factory and hangars at Creekmouth.  I like to attend these events as I learn more about the area, the people who have lived, worked and raised their families - also it gives me a chance to network and meet new people as well as catching up with folk I have met over the eight years that I have been on the scene.

As the presentation had been organized by the members of The Creekmouth Preservation Society - it was a chance to meet up folk I have met over the years.  This is a photo of me with Iris and behind us the River Thames.  It was a beautiful day and I could have spent all afternoon sitting on the deck area outside the Barking Riverside Office looking out down the Thames; however, after the presentation I decided to go have my lunch by the Barking Flood Barrier before my next engagement at 2pm.

I love this area - it is where the Creekmouth Village once stood; however, the village was destroyed in the 1953 floods - now it is home to the Barking Flood Barrier and The Creekmouth Preservation Society have worked hard to have benches, information points, as well as planting many flowers and shrubs. I come and sit here, when I have time in between engagements, mainly because I am normally the only person and have the whole place to myself - just to sit and enjoy some quiet time in the middle of, what is now, an Industrial Estate.

Today, however, Charlie, Iris and Joyce joined me and, for a brief while, we enjoyed the sunshine, chatted about the presentation and Iris and I took photos of the wild flowers and enjoyed the view towards London. Charlie told me that as a young boy he used to sit on the wall and watch London being bombed during the war.

After I had made my arranged visit at 2pm to Thames View Lodge - I took Janine to Valence House to show her where Linda Rhodes work and, hopefully, find her there for a guide around the archive department.  We met Linda this morning, although I have met her before, a very interesting lady who has written three novels based on true crimes that have happened in Barking & Dagenham. Yep Linda was there and we had a very interesting time looking at old maps of Barking and Dagenham and being shown around the archives. Janine and I finished off our day together with an ice-cream in Valence Park..

To conclude my blog - some favourite photos of the day..

Charlie and Iris (they are cousins) who are members of The Creekmouth Preservation Society

A tug boat with his cargo coming down the Thames

and favourite sweet pea called everlasting pea, which grows wild on Creekmouth.

Q. Theme for today is?

A - Gardens

This morning I made my way to Thames View Community Garden to volunteer - to do what? I did not know...until I got there :)  The garden is a piece of waste land behind the Sue Bramley Centre and next to Thames View Infants school and I wasn't too sure what too expect as I haven't been there since it was turned over to the community for a garden.  I was quite amazed at all the raised beds made with railway sleepers - there must have been at least ten.  Each bed has been given to a different group of the community so I helped Hazel and six members of Panda class from Thames View Infants plant out their raised bed.   I took this photo after all the children had left - there were children from the Infants and Junior school and Sue Bramley Children Centre as well as Police Cadets and also some gentleman from the council plus a young man from Home Base.  Home Base had donated quite a lot of flowers and this young man was busy planting them out into various raised beds.

Our finished bed with elephant watering cans..  As I helped to dig and plant it gave me an opportunity to chat to the youngesters (age 7) and I discovered that they all lived in flats and none had access to a garden.  One little boy held up his flower and said to me 'Miss this is the first time I've planted anything' and the smile on his face said it all.  As they left the garden another chappie said to Joyce (organizer of the community garden) 'Thank you for having us I've had such a wonderful time'.  After they had left Joyce and I looked at each with tears in our eyes - no words were needed.

When I got home I had a cuppa with Nigel then went for a stroll in Mayesbrook Park - before most of it is closed for the Olympics.  This is the new sports centre, which has recently been built and of which Karl is a member; however, during July and August no member of the public will be able to use as it will be used by the athletics training for the Olympics.

Large areas of the park have been turned into natural habitat areas to encourage 'Flora & 'Fauna' and on a sunny day, as today, it does look quite pretty with long grass in various areas next to running streams and lakes.

It appears to be working and it was lovely to see wild poppies and other wild flowers being allowed to grow undisturbed and there were also alot of butterflies.  I snapped this little cabbage butterfly as he came down for a rest.

This evening I shall be attending the Green-Finger Gardening Club in Dagenham and the guest speaker is Lawrence Hobbs and his topic is 'Knowing Your Orchids'. If you read my post yesterday you will know that this very applicable to me at the moment as I endeavour to keep my one Orchid plant alive..

Also I have been invited on to the steering group for 'Revamp the Ripple', which is a nature reserve near George Carey Primary School (for which I am a Governor and Chaplain) plus on Thursday I will be meeting Francesca (London Wildlife) for a Butterfly Transect Walk and this is taking place at the Nature Reserve.

So today really has been a day about Gardens,  a park and a nature reserve. I am always amazed as to how my days vary so much - tomorrow it is Coffee and Chat, then off to Barking Riverside Office for a presentation from The Frederick Handley-Page Association followed by a pastoral visit in the afternoon - the evening is still available to anyone?