The new Vicar of Grain and Stoke

I was invited to attend St. James’ Church on the Isle of Grain on Thursday evening, to observe the Licensing and Installation service for the new Parish Priest for Grain and Stoke - the Reverend Glenn Ellsworth McWatt.

The Licensing was conducted by the Bishop of Tonbridge (The Rt. Rev. Dr. David Castle) and the Installation by the Archdeacon of Rochester (The Venerable Simon Burton-Jones).


The Bishop of Tonbridge with the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway and the Rev. Glenn Ellsworth McWatt.

Parishioners from Grain and Stoke gave Glenn, and his wife Irene, a warm welcome. Parish Council representatives and the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway (Ted and Sylvia Baker) were also present to welcome Glenn on behalf of the civic community.


Inside St. James' Church before the service.

 

Inside St. James' Church before the service.

After the Church service there was a good opportunity to catch up with many familiar faces from around the villages, and to enjoy the generous hospitality laid on by the Parish. They did a wonderful job and had clearly worked hard on all the preparations - greatly appreciated by all. Given the temperature outside (and inside the Church!) the nice hot tea and coffee was especially welcome!

Best wishes, and welcome, to Glenn and Irene.
 

Murder, Sex and Mayhem in English Churches (Cooling)

That’s the subject of a talk that will be given by John Vigar on Monday 14 November at Cooling Village Hall, at 7pm.

The event will follow a short AGM held by the Friends of St. James’ Church and refreshments will be available. Entrance is free, although I’m sure donations will be very welcome!

The Friends of St. James’ Church are always very busy organising events to raise money for the upkeep of the Church and to keep this lovely old building open to the public.

For more information, take a look at their website by clicking here.

 

Cakes, Tea and Roman Pots!

St. James’ Church at Cooling is tomorrow (Saturday) holding a Cakes, Tea and Roman Pots afternoon.

There’ll be a talk by Peter Dawson, from the Lower Medway Archaeological Society, on local Roman settlements. You’ll get the chance to see and handle Roman artifacts - followed by tea and homemade cakes.

If you fancy popping along, please pre-book your ticket (£5) by phoning Alison on 01634 220204.

Take a look at the website of The Friends of St. James’ Church by clicking here.
 

Midsummer Tea Party (Cooling), Saturday 18 June 2011

Cream Tea will be served in the grounds of St. James’ Church at Cooling on 18 June, from 2.30pm till 4.30pm.

Pop along and support The Friends of St. James’ Church, whilst enjoying delicious strawberries and homemade scones. Plants and cakes will be available to buy and there'll be a treasure hunt for the children. Entry is £3.50 per person. Go on, one scone won’t ruin the diet!

Contact Caroline Long on 01634 220336 for further information. Take a look at the new website of The Friends of St. James’ Church by clicking here.
 

New website for St. James’ Church at Cooling

The Friends of St. James’ Church at Cooling, who work in partnership with The Churches Conservation Trust, have gone online with a new website.

Dating back to the late thirteenth century, St. James’ Church is well known for its association with Charles Dickens, who is thought to have set the opening to Great Expectations in the churchyard.

The Church is fascinating and full of history. It's also worth taking time to enjoy the rural setting of Cooling itself - one of the most picturesque parts of the Hoo Peninsula.

If you would like to support The Friends of St. James’ Church – visit their new website here.

 

Winter Walk - Hoo to Cooling

With a friend (plus Dog!) staying for Christmas, we decided to pre-empt the effects of many mince pies with a long walk from Hoo to Cooling yesterday. Here are a few photographs.

After a look around St. James’ Church and the famous graves featured in Great Expectations, we stopped for some tasty chips and a pint in the Horseshoe & Castle pub.
 

Carol Service at St. James' Church (Cooling), Saturday 18 December 2010

The Friends of St. James' Church Cooling (Main Road, Cooling, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8DG) present a Carol Service this Saturday (18 December). Beginning at 6pm, the event will be followed by a serving of mince pies and mulled wine at Cooling Village Hall.

 

 

High Halstow Hikers (November Walk), Sunday 7 November 2010

I joined the High Halstow Hikers this morning for a nine mile trek along country lanes and farm tracks between High Halstow and Cliffe - with the farmers’ permission where there were no public footpaths. The weather was crisp and sunny and almost 20 people turned-up. We set-off from High Halstow Village Hall at just after 9.30am and headed down Cooling Road, turning into Wybournes Farm and then towards Cooling. After stopping for a quick look at St. James’ Church in Cooling, we headed for Cliffe, passing through Rye Street. The return journey to High Halstow took us through Morning Cross, Cooling Street, Spendiff and Cooling Court, before a pit-stop at The Horseshoe and Castle, in Cooling. We arrived back at High Halstow at just after 1pm.

It was nice to meet so many people enjoying a really well organised walk. High Halstow Hikers’ next event will be held in early December and posters will be displayed around High Halstow village.

Concert - St. James' Church (Cooling), Saturday 11 September 2010

The Celestine Singers will be singing light opera and songs from the shows on Saturday 11 September, at St. James' Church in Cooling from 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £9.00. The event is organised by the Friends of St. James' Church in Cooling, who may be contacted (for further details) on 01634 220204.

Midsummer Tea Party - St. James’ Church (Cooling), Saturday 19 June 2010

St. James’ Church, Main Road, Cooling will play host to a Midsummer Tea Party on Saturday 19 June, between noon and 2pm. Although admission is free, sandwiches and refreshments will be available upon the giving of a small donation. All proceeds from the event will go towards the upkeep of the Church, as well as other projects managed by the Conservation Trust. An expert will be in attendance to talk about the history of the Church.