Tag Archives: verger

Jean Smith marries Brian Saunders: Thorley May 1980

Jean Smith marries Brian Saunders, May, 1980

Jean Smith marries Brian Saunders, May, 1980: Photo Jean Saunders

When Jean and Brian were married at St. Swithin’s Church, Thorley, local village children came to watch. Jean invited them all  to join the occasion and be included in the photo. This is the result – a true village celebration.
Front left: Louise Cowley, Anna Vinycombe,
Back row from left: Thomas Cowley, unknown, Kim Weston, ?Roberts, (Brian and Jean), ? Roberts, Mandy Bruce,Zoe Weston, Lee Weston.

Jean’s parents both looked after church and churchyard for many years, Ralph taking care of the churchyard and maintaining its wild flowers, Eileen looking after the church itself as verger.

Eileen’s grandfather, Jean’s great grandfather, Robert May, was verger at St. James Church Yarmouth for over 40 years.

Eileen Smith: Harbour, Storm 1930s

There was that September, a terrific gale. There was water over the Quay and almost up to the Square.  Boats in the harbour were sending out distress calls and drifting their moorings. It was so rough, Walt Cotton wouldn’t let them launch the boarding boat to go across. There was water over Bridge Road so they floated her round, put her over the rails. Three men went out with ropes attached and brought the Lifeboat alongside.
There was one man drowned that night, in the harbour. That was a night!
Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne  b 1921

Funeral of storm victim,September 1935

Funeral of storm victim,September 1935

Revd. Stanley Woodin leading the procession, followed by Robert May, verger and undertaker. Lifeboat crew members Charlie Lansdowne front right in cap, Walter Cotton cox following

Eileen Smith : St James Church 1920s

On Sundays we had to go to church 3 times, Matins, Sunday School and Evensong. My sister and I used to go up in the gallery, above where our Grandma sat wearing a hat with a wide brim. We’d take little pellets of paper  in our pockets  and flick them down into her hat brim.
Grandad was the verger and for a special treat he’d take us up the church tower. It was exciting going up, but I didn’t like going down. Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b 1921

View from ChurchTower

View from ChurchTower