Grapevine
Click here to go to the Main Menu.
Grapevine
is published bi-monthly.
Copies can be found in the church vestibule: please help yourself.
Contact the Editor: Richard Hall 01753 573 521
The July/August edition is now available at church.
Extracts from it appear below:
Minister’s Letter
It was with very mixed feelings indeed that Alison and I arrived in the Circuit a year ago to undertake the issues that led to me being ‘invited’ to come out of retirement. It is also very true to say that we are now packing for removal with equally mixed feelings – but the angst is now missing, as is the questioning of having made the correct decision to have come!
We depart having come to love and respect the people at St Andrew’s for all the understanding and support given to us. It has often felt quite unfair to have had to spend so much time on Circuit issues and deny you the time you so deserve. The way in which, in spite of us living all but next door to the church, you have never prevailed upon us as caretakers/minders has been wonderful. You are a simply superb bunch of folk who have been both a joy and a privilege to serve. We may not have served you as we would have preferred, but you have indeed ‘lightened our darkness’ by your willingness and commitment to Christ.
We depart having come to love and respect the depth of friendship and fellowship that exists among our congregation. The rich diversity of cultures and expectations has been a joy. You have shown us most effectively how by holding Christ at the centre of who you are and what you do, folk can overcome the divisions that so often damage and destroy. Not to have come to St Andrew’s would have left us both impoverished – you have been a real blessing to us, and without you I could not have done what was asked of me.
The above has not been said to imply that others throughout the Circuit have not been supportive and a blessing – for they have – and we have both given thanks for the way in which they too have taken on the task of moving things forward.
But (and yes, I know, one should never start a sentence in such a way as this) without you we would not have coped with the short term disruption to our lives, nor could we have been in a position to enjoy the wonderful things that happened immediately after I accepted the invitation to undertake a ‘fresh start’ in the active ministry!
Sadly the good things have to come to an end for us in Slough, but as usual, and not being too pessimistic, we expect the good times to continue as we globe-trot for the next year before taking another bite at the cherry called retirement!
God bless you and envision you all as you support and encourage Andrew, Jill and their boys as they settle into the new manse in Upton Road.
Shalom.
Dave and Alison
Journey in Faith 15: Ralph Chaplin
Ralph, you are one of the few “seniors” at St Andrew’s born in Slough aren’t you?
That’s right. My mum, a nurse/midwife came from South Wales and met my dad in Essex where he came from. They moved to Slough when he took a job as a compositor at the Slough Observer. I knew more of mum’s family as she had seven brothers and sisters and we used to go to Wales on holiday, whereas dad had just one brother. Mum was not a natural Welsh speaker, but I do remember her joining in a Welsh conversation between a couple in a café, much to their consternation.
That sounds like your mum. Tell us a bit more about your early life.
I did not have a particularly religious upbringing. Dad was nominally C of E, though he did go to Hampshire Avenue Methodist Church towards the end of his life. I believe mum was a member at the Central Hall but went there rarely. However when I was nine she took me to the Central Hall to join the Life Boys (what is now the Junior Section of the BB); I didn’t enjoy it very much, but stuck it out and at twelve moved up into The Boys’ Brigade which was a much better experience, with Norman Holford as Captain and Richard Hall a lieutenant.
BB has always been important for you, then?
Yes, but the 1st Slough was in a transition stage when I was a boy. It had had its “Glory Years” with competition winning bugle and brass bands in the early 1950s. But the musical tradition was in decline. I was never asked to join the band. But I rose through the ranks to become a corporal and at 18 a staff sergeant. Then I stopped wearing uniform and served as a printing instructor. We did the printing in a disused toilet next to the balcony at the Central Hall! Later the room next to the stage at St Andrew's housed the company printing press for a keen class of young printers – long before the days of computers!
But you didn’t follow your dad into a career in printing?
No I went to university to study civil engineering. Academic life was not for me and I left after a year and got a job at the Cement and Concrete Association. I gained civil engineering qualifications through evening classes.
What next in BB?
A young schoolmaster, Derek Clarke, came from Bournemouth and took over as BB Captain. He needed more staff and someone suggested he ask me. So the minister, Francis Burns interviewed me and noted that I was not a church member as was necessary to be a BB officer. This challenge had never been put to me before. I became a member. A very few years later Derek Clarke moved on and I was asked to take over as Captain. I was very reluctant. Previously I had been terrified at the thought of speaking to the boys and officers at the BB Bible Class, but I did it. Now I was to have more responsibilities. But as I have found on several occasions when some new responsibility is thrust upon you, confidence grows. I realized God was calling me to lead the BB; otherwise it was a cruel joke! There have been hard times and rewarding times.
And some of the rewarding times have been musical.
Yes. I had piano lessons as a small boy, but was allowed to give up after 12 boring months. As I have already said I was not in the band as a boy. In my early days as Captain we had a bugle instructor and a drum instructor. I happened to be around one band practice evening when an irate mother and a tearful small boy arrived. He had been told there was no room for him in the drumming class. I said I would sort something out. I went to BB HQ, bought an instruction book, a practice pad and a pair of sticks, went home and started to teach myself drumming. Then I began to teach the small boy. He was an apt pupil and I struggled to keep one week ahead of him. After only a few months I entered him in the London District individual drum competition. Against many much older and more experienced boys he came third. We were both very pleased! I think his mum was too. His success was based on three necessary elements: natural ability, intelligence and practice. Since then I have trained about fifty boys. Some 70% of them become capable, not always brilliant drummers.
Inevitably we have talked a lot about BB, but you have served the church in other ways.
Yes, quite early on I was a Church Steward. I remember that on the very first occasion when I was on duty the minister didn’t turn up. He had been on a demonstration in London. Perhaps he had been arrested! It’s the Steward’s responsibility to see that the service goes ahead and read one of John Wesley’s sermons, so I started the service. Fortunately half an hour late, the minister arrived in time to preach. I have also served as Lettings Secretary, Property Steward and currently Church Treasurer.
What does the future hold for the BB, globally, nationally and locally?
In many parts of the world The Boys’ Brigade is growing fast. Singapore is one example. In Britain overall BB numbers have declined as church numbers have. But there are pockets of growth. The 1st Slough has boys, but is in need of more, younger officers.
Well there’s an appeal. Is someone listening? Thank you, Ralph. A famous photographer had a catch phrase: “the Decisive Moment”. You have told us of several decisive moments in your life when you were in the right place at the right time and made the right response. Is there someone out there reading this for whom it is the decisive moment now?
Click here to go to the Main Menu.
Grapevine
is published bi-monthly.
Copies can be found in the church vestibule: please help yourself.
Contact the Editor: Richard Hall 01753 573 521
The July/August edition is now available at church.
Extracts from it appear below:
Minister’s Letter
It was with very mixed feelings indeed that Alison and I arrived in the Circuit a year ago to undertake the issues that led to me being ‘invited’ to come out of retirement. It is also very true to say that we are now packing for removal with equally mixed feelings – but the angst is now missing, as is the questioning of having made the correct decision to have come!
We depart having come to love and respect the people at St Andrew’s for all the understanding and support given to us. It has often felt quite unfair to have had to spend so much time on Circuit issues and deny you the time you so deserve. The way in which, in spite of us living all but next door to the church, you have never prevailed upon us as caretakers/minders has been wonderful. You are a simply superb bunch of folk who have been both a joy and a privilege to serve. We may not have served you as we would have preferred, but you have indeed ‘lightened our darkness’ by your willingness and commitment to Christ.
We depart having come to love and respect the depth of friendship and fellowship that exists among our congregation. The rich diversity of cultures and expectations has been a joy. You have shown us most effectively how by holding Christ at the centre of who you are and what you do, folk can overcome the divisions that so often damage and destroy. Not to have come to St Andrew’s would have left us both impoverished – you have been a real blessing to us, and without you I could not have done what was asked of me.
The above has not been said to imply that others throughout the Circuit have not been supportive and a blessing – for they have – and we have both given thanks for the way in which they too have taken on the task of moving things forward.
But (and yes, I know, one should never start a sentence in such a way as this) without you we would not have coped with the short term disruption to our lives, nor could we have been in a position to enjoy the wonderful things that happened immediately after I accepted the invitation to undertake a ‘fresh start’ in the active ministry!
Sadly the good things have to come to an end for us in Slough, but as usual, and not being too pessimistic, we expect the good times to continue as we globe-trot for the next year before taking another bite at the cherry called retirement!
God bless you and envision you all as you support and encourage Andrew, Jill and their boys as they settle into the new manse in Upton Road.
Shalom.
Dave and Alison
Journey in Faith 15: Ralph Chaplin
Ralph, you are one of the few “seniors” at St Andrew’s born in Slough aren’t you?
That’s right. My mum, a nurse/midwife came from South Wales and met my dad in Essex where he came from. They moved to Slough when he took a job as a compositor at the Slough Observer. I knew more of mum’s family as she had seven brothers and sisters and we used to go to Wales on holiday, whereas dad had just one brother. Mum was not a natural Welsh speaker, but I do remember her joining in a Welsh conversation between a couple in a café, much to their consternation.
That sounds like your mum. Tell us a bit more about your early life.
I did not have a particularly religious upbringing. Dad was nominally C of E, though he did go to Hampshire Avenue Methodist Church towards the end of his life. I believe mum was a member at the Central Hall but went there rarely. However when I was nine she took me to the Central Hall to join the Life Boys (what is now the Junior Section of the BB); I didn’t enjoy it very much, but stuck it out and at twelve moved up into The Boys’ Brigade which was a much better experience, with Norman Holford as Captain and Richard Hall a lieutenant.
BB has always been important for you, then?
Yes, but the 1st Slough was in a transition stage when I was a boy. It had had its “Glory Years” with competition winning bugle and brass bands in the early 1950s. But the musical tradition was in decline. I was never asked to join the band. But I rose through the ranks to become a corporal and at 18 a staff sergeant. Then I stopped wearing uniform and served as a printing instructor. We did the printing in a disused toilet next to the balcony at the Central Hall! Later the room next to the stage at St Andrew's housed the company printing press for a keen class of young printers – long before the days of computers!
But you didn’t follow your dad into a career in printing?
No I went to university to study civil engineering. Academic life was not for me and I left after a year and got a job at the Cement and Concrete Association. I gained civil engineering qualifications through evening classes.
What next in BB?
A young schoolmaster, Derek Clarke, came from Bournemouth and took over as BB Captain. He needed more staff and someone suggested he ask me. So the minister, Francis Burns interviewed me and noted that I was not a church member as was necessary to be a BB officer. This challenge had never been put to me before. I became a member. A very few years later Derek Clarke moved on and I was asked to take over as Captain. I was very reluctant. Previously I had been terrified at the thought of speaking to the boys and officers at the BB Bible Class, but I did it. Now I was to have more responsibilities. But as I have found on several occasions when some new responsibility is thrust upon you, confidence grows. I realized God was calling me to lead the BB; otherwise it was a cruel joke! There have been hard times and rewarding times.
And some of the rewarding times have been musical.
Yes. I had piano lessons as a small boy, but was allowed to give up after 12 boring months. As I have already said I was not in the band as a boy. In my early days as Captain we had a bugle instructor and a drum instructor. I happened to be around one band practice evening when an irate mother and a tearful small boy arrived. He had been told there was no room for him in the drumming class. I said I would sort something out. I went to BB HQ, bought an instruction book, a practice pad and a pair of sticks, went home and started to teach myself drumming. Then I began to teach the small boy. He was an apt pupil and I struggled to keep one week ahead of him. After only a few months I entered him in the London District individual drum competition. Against many much older and more experienced boys he came third. We were both very pleased! I think his mum was too. His success was based on three necessary elements: natural ability, intelligence and practice. Since then I have trained about fifty boys. Some 70% of them become capable, not always brilliant drummers.
Inevitably we have talked a lot about BB, but you have served the church in other ways.
Yes, quite early on I was a Church Steward. I remember that on the very first occasion when I was on duty the minister didn’t turn up. He had been on a demonstration in London. Perhaps he had been arrested! It’s the Steward’s responsibility to see that the service goes ahead and read one of John Wesley’s sermons, so I started the service. Fortunately half an hour late, the minister arrived in time to preach. I have also served as Lettings Secretary, Property Steward and currently Church Treasurer.
What does the future hold for the BB, globally, nationally and locally?
In many parts of the world The Boys’ Brigade is growing fast. Singapore is one example. In Britain overall BB numbers have declined as church numbers have. But there are pockets of growth. The 1st Slough has boys, but is in need of more, younger officers.
Well there’s an appeal. Is someone listening? Thank you, Ralph. A famous photographer had a catch phrase: “the Decisive Moment”. You have told us of several decisive moments in your life when you were in the right place at the right time and made the right response. Is there someone out there reading this for whom it is the decisive moment now?
Click here to go to the Main Menu.