FROM THE REGISTERS:  

Gill Richardson writes - At the moment, I am the only person doing flowers in Church due to several other parishioners deciding they cannot carry on anymore. I am happy to arrange flowers for anyone who is celebrating a special birthday, anniversary or similar. However, the “flower fund” is now empty so if you would like an arrangement done, please contact me on 01992 523071 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The cost is roughly £15 - £20 for an arrangement. If I don’t hear from anyone, then it will be Harvest before we have any more flowers in Church.

Shirley writes... 

I’m continuing to lead a BCP Morning Prayer service via Zoom at 10.30 am on Sunday mornings for those of us unable to attend St. Martin’s at present and new folk are always welcome. Just send an email to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the appropriate link.

IN MEMORY OF DAVID SILVERSTONE who died last month of oesophageal cancer. He had been receiving palliative care only in the last days of his life, but there had been some hope that he might have survived a little longer. It was a peaceful end – he died in his sleep in the nursing home in Liskeard where he had just been moved. The cremation was
held at Glynn Valley Crematorium, Bodmin, Cornwall on 16th June.

David was Church Warden at St. Martin’s when Geoffrey Smith was Rector. He sang in the choir – he was a strong, (mainly!) accurate and very loyal tenor – you will appreciate what a gift that is to a Church! Not only did he have excellent pitch, but he had the confidence to lead a whole section; he took pride in everything musical he undertook, and where he felt it necessary, would work for hours to get something right. No choirmaster could ask for more.

He also made the tabernacle on the wall where the reserved sacrament is kept and possibly (I’m not wholly sure about this) the lectern – he was a skilled craftsman, devoting much care and time to making the tabernacle beautifully worthy of its contents. His Wife, Dorothy, who survives him, was a powerful contralto in the choir and also Secretary of the PCC. So they have both given a lot to St. Martin’s.

To be invited into David’s inner sanctum was to encounter an Aladdin’s cave of tools and machinery – he was never so happy, I think, as when turning out a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. His musical instruments were things of wonder – based on meticulous research, they evoked an era where quality mattered more than price. His music  anuscript too was beautified by his calligraphy skills into works of art. He was dedicated to every task he undertook and loyal to every enterprise with which he engaged.

These qualities extended into his personal life, his partnership (in the true sense of the word) with Dorothy, and his friendships. He would put on an outward persona that had elements of Victor Meldrew and Arthur Daley, but to know him better was to become aware of a deeper thoughtfulness and sensitivity. He was sympathetic to children, keen to pass on to them the fruits of his knowledge, honest and trustworthy, generously giving of himself. Those of us fortunate to have been his friends have had our lives enriched by the experience. He inspired affection.

Alongside our grief at his passing, we will also cherish moments that have made us smile over the years. David always looked on his first and second courses at a meal as necessary rites of passage to get to the golden gate of the dessert course. He resorted to all kinds of subterfuge to feed his passion for sweet things, such pretending to go to the toilet in a restaurant whilst, in reality, finding a secret corner for a second - or possibly third - pudding. Similarly, he took up cycling, not primarily as a keep-fit exercise but as a way of getting to our local “greasy spoon” café without Dorothy knowing he was in pursuit of extra breakfast. His ingenuity was matched by his exasperation and resignation when he was (inevitably) caught out.

David said in his later years that he had had a good life, and at the end he let go of life with grace. He gained much pleasure from his various pursuits, but he also gave pleasure in sharing them with others. His musical passions were Bach and Handel; he could perhaps be described as a Classical man in a post- Modernist world: not someone to turn to for help with Windows 10 or trans-gender rights, but an utterly straight, decent man: short of stature, high in goodness. (Courtesy of David Pattrick)

Would you like to share in a journey of discovery?

The COURSE IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES is an opportunity to explore the Christian faith with others. The course runs over two years, is open to anyone over the age of 16 and is based on weekly meetings in local groups.

We are hoping to be able to offer the CCS course as Face to Face sessions as well as Zoom sessions. In addition, CCS can be accessed entirely online using the interactive programme Moodle where you will interact with fellow students and tutors through online forums and posts.

The CCS Taster/Introductory event will take place via ZOOM on Saturday 11th September starting at 10.30am.

To register your interest and receive an easy click on link invitation, email Diane Hardy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her on 01245 294449

For further information contact: Diane Hardy, CCS Administrator Chelmsford Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AT

Tel: 01245 294449 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Further details available at www.chelmsford.anglican.org/ccs 

THE FOOD BANK IS OPEN ON THURSDAY MORNINGS BETWEEN 9.30 am & 12.30 pm  IN THE CHURCH ROOMS, CASTLE STREET.  

If you need a referral for the Food Bank, please contact the Rector, Revd. Noelle Taylor on 01277 362173