TRINITY TIMESthe parish magazine of Holy Trinity

JUNE 2012Issue number 87

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THE LATE HENRY HEATH

On March 6th this year, the Funeral Mass of Henry Heath took place inHoly Trinity.

Like Myrtle Latter, whose funeral address was in last month’s TrinityTimes, Henry led an interesting and difficult life.

What follows is the sermon I gave at his funeral:

Archbishop Michael Ramsey once said in a sermon to those about to be made priests:

“Every congregation has at least one person who walks the way of the cross in aparticularly inspiring and humbling way. Learn to cherish them.”

Henry was such a man. My big regret is that I only knew himwhen he was carrying the cross of cerebella ataxia and didn’tknow him at the height of his vigour and considerableintellectual powers. That said, the real Henry was alwaysthere, and always shone through: for me no more movinglythan Good Friday, two years ago, when he struggled forwardto this chancel step, on his frame, to kneel (at great personalstruggle, of course) to kiss his Saviour’s Cross during the“Veneration of the Cross”. I ‘well-up’ whenever I think of it.It remains the highlight of any Holy Week I have everexperienced. It was a simple, but profound, act of faith andcommitment from a man whose deep Christian spiritualitynever left him, despite the many crosses that were laid uponhis back.

The crosses that Henry had to bear, in addition to the ataxia, included the particularrestrictions of a Brethren upbringing, which meant he was unable to do many of thethings that children and young people would normally do; also a double-shift as a “BevinBoy” down the mine, which left him severely jaundiced and nearly claimed his life; anda fifteen year marriage that had a very negative impact on his life – and which he escapedfrom, and came here to Gosport, to rebuild his life, both materially and emotionally.

Another cross came in the shape of peoples’ attitudes to his illness, which so often lackedunderstanding and compassion. The symptoms of ataxia can seem like drunkenness, andHenry had to suffer hostility, ridicule, and being restrained while the police were calledto someone who was wrongly perceived as a “public nuisance”. Thank goodness forthose who showed him support and understanding, including Christine Harris, AnnWood and Christie Coulston – whose friendship I know he cherished.

But.......the real Henry was always there – beyond, through and above the crosses that hebore with such incredible fortitude (and at times bloody-minded determination); the

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determination that would drive him to get to the town and back, using his walking frame,even if it took him three or more hours.

Today is a “Mass of the Resurrection”, when we celebrate the fact that – RIGHT NOW –Henry is in glory; and at the height of his vigour and intellectual power; and filled witheternal joy; and wearing that wonderful, slightly cheeky, child-like smile that so oftenappeared, lighting up his whole face (and lighting up those around him!)

My most cherished image of Henry, beaming from ear to ear, was when he was joining ina very silly chorus we sing at Holy Trinity’s sister church, Christ Church. It goes, “FatherAbraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham, I am one of them and so areyou, so let’s all praise the Lord.”.......complete with (gradually added) arm, head and legmovements. Henry joined in fully, swinging around with complete abandon on hiswalking frame, and with – of course – that huge smile plastered across his face! Also,whilst most of the children (and many of the adults) love the chorus just for the actions,Henry understood it theologically: we are all children of Abraham, including our brothersand sisters of the Jewish and Islamic faiths......

As we celebrate this “Mass of the Resurrection” together, we celebrate Henry, a child ofthe resurrection; who also had so much that was good and inspiring in his life: like his

childhood, alongside sister, Margaret,with the cart horses in the depot house atBlackley, North Manchester, where hisgrandfather was “Inspector of Cleansing”.Henry always loved horses, and supportedhorse charities.....and this is why today,two horses are carrying him to his restingplace at Anns Hill. The horses, by the way(most delightfully) are called Ronnie andReggie (I can see Henry beaming at that!)Honourable mention too, for Blackie, thedog – who had a special place in Henry’slife, and in his heart!

We celebrate the Henry who was a crack shot – sniper standard, in fact (and once got abullet through his hat – a close shave!); who was a good and nimble runner; who did fell-running, and could fell-walk for miles – in fact could walk for miles at any time, andoften on behalf of someone who needed something. This was partly because he neverqualified to drive – having driven a car into someone’s front room during an early lesson!He called cars, “motorized chariots”! He was so nimble, that when he was in the army hewas the one at the top of those huge ‘human pyramids’ that those military types formthemselves into!

We celebrate the Henry who matriculated in Latin in double-quick time, and gained aDurham degree in History and Spanish, who taught religious studies in school for a time,and who could engage in deep and fascinating conversations about history, art, music,theology and philosophy.

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The Henry who excelled at amateur dramatics at university, and was a wonderfulraconteur and mimic, with a huge sense of fun, and a penchant for dressing up inridiculous, self-made costumes: like the time he put his legs into a pullover and created aturban, to become an ‘Punker Walla’; or the infamous monocle holder he used to putround his head – which was the elastic waistband from a pair of y-fronts (with “y-frontsclearly written across his head) and the lens inserted in the fly-button!

I know that Margaret, Jani, Ian and Wendy Marsh and their children, all have fondmemories of lively conversations into the night, as they basked in Henry’s warmth,compassion, eloquence, hilarious sense of humour and intellectual flair. When Ian was achild Henry gave him books for birthday and Christmas always, and it encouraged him toread good books. Coral Island was Ian’s favourite story and he still has the copy thatHenry sent him when he was about ten years old.

We celebrate the Henry who gave so much to the Baden-Powell Scouts, and received theprestigious “Silver Wolf”, and a lovely silver salver, to mark his distinguishedcontributions to that organisation, and his seniority in the North East (he was number twoor three in the Scout pecking order!). There are some wonderful pictures of him in thewide-brimmed hat and kilt and sporran, striding out with a “thumb-stick”. With flowinghair and bushy sideburns, this later got him the nickname “the prophet” in some of theGosport shops!

We celebrate the Henry who had a real talent for gardening and flowers – including thebeautiful “fairy glade” he created in Wallsend. We celebrate the Henry who could beextraordinarily generous – perhaps too generous at times – and who gave more moneyaway to charities than he spent on himself.

And we celebrate the Henry who gave so much to the church. We give thanks for StLuke’s, Newcastle, where he first came in contact with the glories of the Anglo-Catholictradition; for his great support for St Cuby’s in Duloe, Cornwall, where he would doanything that was required, including digging the graves; for his proud membership ofthe G.S.S., the Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary (Henry is being buried in his Guildcassock and surplice, and we here at Holy Trinity will remember him coming to churchin his cassock, every Christmas and Easter. Despite the fact that we were often ontenterhooks that he might stumble over, hurting himself or someone in the immediatevicinity, Henry brought both character and faith to this church that he loved so much.

We give thanks for everything Henry was – in the face of huge personal challenges – andrejoice that he is now sharing in the glory of the Risen Christ, to whom Henry has beenso devoted in his earthly life.

God bless you Henry, and may you rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Father Andy

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SERVICE TIMES

SUNDAYS**

Parish Mass 11.00 amVespers and Benediction 6.00 pm

(A quiet, reflective service to end one week and begin another)

✠MONDAYS

Father Andy’s day off

✠TUESDAYSMass 9.30 am

(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

✠WEDNESDAYS5.45 pm Prayer Group

(An informal gathering, to pray – quietly and simply –For the church, the world and those suffering and in need)

Mass 6.30 pm(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

✠FRIDAYSMass 5.00 pm

(30 minutes, quiet, prayerful, peace-giving)

**On each occurrence of a fifth Sunday in a month, a joint service will be heldalternating between Holy Trinity and Christ Church. The next joint service willbe held at 9.30 a.m. at Christ Church on Sunday 29th July 2012

Trinity Times is published by Holy Trinity Church, Gosport, Hampshire. It is distributedfree of charge to more than 1,000 households and 160 shops in the Parish. You can alsoview in colour on our website: www.holytrinitygosport.co.uk

Editor: Joan Millard

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IT ALL HAPPENED ON THE 12th MAY

As you will remember, this was our May Fair day, and weren’t we lucky withthe weather? The air was a bit nippy but the sun was shining and this alone puteveryone in a bright mood. So let us share a few moments with you.

The Mayor of Gosport accom-panied by his wife Julia.

From left to right Dr JohnBevan, Fr. Andy and theMayor

Dawn Marsh, Clive Gutteridgeand Philip Hopgood ready tosell at bargain prices.

Getting in a jam with ChrissieO’Neill

The Fair was opened by theMayor of Gosport CouncillorChris Carter.Later the new memorial toJohn Deane (the co-inventorof the diving helmet) wasblessed by Fr. Andy, in thepresence of Dr. John Bevan(Chairman of The HistoricalDiving Society) and theMayor. The memorial canbe seen in the south-eastcorner of the church grounds.

Stalls were plentiful with all the usual suspects -books, bric-a-brac, toys, cakes, jams etc., as well aswelcomerefreshments.Entertainment wasprovided by the ChristChurch PuppetMinistry Group andStokes BayStrummers; and last,but not least, we had avisit from Peppa Pig and IgglePiggle (sponsored by KidsParty Mascots tel. 07930 141705)

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard stocking andrunning the various stalls, providing refreshments anddonating prizes for the raffle; in particular thank you toGosport Ferry Ltd and Waitrose for their generousdonations.Most of all thank you everyone who supportedus….without you our efforts would be wasted.

Stokes Bay Strummers withguest strummer Luke Williams

Peppa Pig and IgglePiggle

TEA TIME CONCERTS 2012

At Holy Trinity we continue our “Tea-Time Concerts” at 3.30 pm on the firstSunday of each month. Admission to all the concerts is free although a retiringcollection is taken for the benefit of the organ restoration project. All themusicians give freely of their talents as their contribution to this project.Afternoon tea is served in the Capper Room after each concert.

These concerts, which last no longer than an hour, present the opportunity tohear fine music in the generous acoustic of this beautiful Church. Why not giveit a try? It’s a very pleasant way in which to while away a Sunday afternoon.

Details of the July and August concerts are set out below.

SUNDAY 1st JULY

Concert of music by Handel and others

from

NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOLORCHESTRA AND SINGERS

Directed by

LAWRENCE HAIGH

SUNDAY 5th AUGUST

A Salad of Singing for a Summer’s Afternoon

ST. VINCENT SINGERS -Sing music for a Royal Jubilee

PORTSMOUTH PLAYERS AND SINGERSPerform songs from the shows

JENNIFER PARKER-LUMMISSings operatic arias from Handel, Puccini, Strauss

and Tesori

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MORE MUSICAL TREATS

SATURDAY 16th JUNE at 7.30 p.m.

Choral Concert by 27 Young Singers of the

ICELANDIC YOUTH CHOIR

Sponsored by St. Vincent College

SUNDAY 17th JUNE at 3.30 p.m.

A Concert by

GOSPORT SOLENT BRASS

WEDNESDAY 27th JUNE at 7.30 p.m.

Choral and Orchestral Concert

by

SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE CHOIRAND ORCHESTRA

Directed by Peter Rhodes

SATURDAY 30th JUNE at 7.30 p.m.

ORGAN RECITAL

Local organists entertainwith a rich medley of different styles

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From: Great Aunt Pru <prudence.little@shewitters.com>To: Tamsin OzlingSubject: The last word

My dear Tammy,

Well I’ve finished redecorating your room so that it will be ready for you whenyou arrive at the end of the month…I know that from October you’ll bespending most of your time at university but you can make my house yourbase for holiday time and weekends.

How are all your preparations going for your move to the UK? Your mum tellsme that you are sending your heavy text books ahead of your flight and that Ishould be receiving them soon so that you will be left with just your clothingand such like to bring with you; although if you leave most of your clothingbehind we will have an excuse for a “girlie” shopping spree - my treat.

Not only will you arrive in time for the Olympic Games but you’ll also be inGosport when the Olympic torch is brought through so, if you’re so minded,you can walk through to the High Street to see it on its way to the ferry - Ihave to say that at the moment I am not so minded! I find it very difficult to getexcited about the whole thing but perhaps I shall feel differently nearer thetime.

Before that, of course, we have the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations,most of which take place at the beginning of the month so you’ll miss those.They will give everyone who wants to an excuse to have a party. There arethose, of course, who can’t see that there is anything to celebrate…butfortunately they are in the minority…and surely even they can see that streetparties bring people together and often result in neighbours speaking to eachother who perhaps in the past haven’t got beyond a polite “good morning”.Quite frankly there is no way I would want to swap places with the Queen, nomatter how much money I was offered. Just imagine what it must be like tospend your life meeting and being friendly to people some of whom you maynot like and who may not like you, or having to show huge interest in thingsthat you may sometimes find boring…and then being criticised for perhapslooking a little tired - who wouldn’t after 60 busy years in the same job?

Well that’s it for now. Just need to do a couple of thingsto your room. Looking forward to seeing you at the endof the month.

Love to all

Your ever-loving Great Aunt Pru

SIXTY YEARS OUR QUEEN

A dozen tenants of Number TenAnd twelve the White House has seen

Since fifty-two, for that was whenBegan the reign of our Queen.

And so they come, and so they goThe Dame, or titled Knight,

Some shone, it seems, an age agoShort as a mayfly’s flight.

Some were good, and some were poorIt seems she’s met all sorts!

The Queen smiles on, but to be sure –You’ll never guess her thoughts!

“My Government shall this enact”,The Queen’s Speech – sixty times!

At Christmas, too, she’s never lackedEncouraging seasonal lines.

Through times of peace and times of strifeShe’s stood there at the helm,

For she has lived her whole long lifeFor the peoples of her realm.

Of this one fact we may dependThat few would be the tears

If God should choose her life to extendTo reign for lots more years!

Well, you can't but admire her. God save the Queen!By Nigel Beeton

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THOUGHT LINES....

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....AND SMILE LINES

Did Noah fish?The Sunday school teacher asked: "James, do you think Noah did a lot of fish-ing when he was on the Ark ?""No," replied James. “How could he? He only had two worms."

The Lord is my shepherdA Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of themost quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a monthto memorise the short Psalm. Little Richard was excited about the task - but hejust couldn't memorise things very well. On the day that the children werescheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Richard was verynervous. When it was his finally his turn, he stepped up to the microphone andsaid proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and .... that's all I need to know."

Old and alone and needing help...An old Italian priest lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annualtomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. A mem-ber of his church, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. So the oldpriest wrote a letter to his parishioner and described his predicament:Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able toplant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up agarden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know youwould be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. I remember you inmy prayers! Fr LouisA few days later he received a letter from his parishioner.Dear Fr Louis, Whatever you do, don't dig up that garden. That's where thebodies are buried. Thanks for your prayers. VinnieAt 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up theentire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old priest andleft. That same day the old priest received another letter.Dear Fr Louis, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could dounder the circumstances. Vinnie

SatisfyingFew things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of theirown.

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I have lots of uprights who make sure thatI’m getting enough food. It’s lovely!

Upright Rosemary at Christ Churchbrings me chew sticks. In fact,Leo (her dog) and I couldn’t waitthe other day and we hunted in herbag to see if we could find them.

Upright Rosemary at Holy Trinitysaves me tiny sausage rolls, though theother night at the Bishop’s service, ourupright was so busy talking that I noticed she ate half of my sausage roll.

One day in church I tried to follow Fr. Andy when he had given me myblessing. Upright Nigel said it was because I wanted a biscuit likeeveryone else. Actually Fr. Andy gave our upright a piece of bread forme at a family service at Christ Church once and she had to explain tome that you don’t get butter and honey on your bread in church.

We went to see a film at church and I got a bit bothered because theysaid there were hot dogs to eat. I couldn’t see any other dogs, but then Iremembered when Fr. Ian’s dog, Zadok, thought that Sascha and I weregoing to be in the hot dogs at the Summer Fayre; a long time ago.

Anyway, uprights Dawn and Philip gave me a doggy bag to take homeafter the film. I could smell the sausages all the way home on the bus.

Our upright says the new buses have transformed our lives because weknow we can get home now if we go out in the evening. She gets a bitcarried away sometimes, but I do like sitting on the high seat at the frontbecause I can look out of the window. But the other night at the otherBishop’s service, Bishop Timothy gave me a blessing and I wassupposed to concentrate on him. I couldn’t, because someone next tome was eating a sausage.

Our upright said “You can put the hot dog into the dog but…..” Oh, Ican’t remember the other bit.