Pew Sheet – 17th July 2022

The Rector writes ‘As a parish group, we’re applying for ‘seed funding’ for a number of projects under the new ‘MindMatters COI’ initiative. This is a 3 year project aimed at promoting and supporting positive mental health within the Church of Ireland and the wider community.

There are 4 main themes:

· Reducing Stigma

· Promoting Connections

· Clergy training and supports

· Mental Health and Faith

The seed funding will help parishes like us with local mental health promotion initiatives which address one/all of the themes above. The Diocese and our Youth Organisation CDYC will also be applying for grants in this area. Watch this space!’

God’s own Gardens

There is a growing awareness in many parishes that our churchyards can provide much needed sanctuary for wildlife.

Unpolluted and managed differently compared to the rest of the countryside has allowed wildlife to continue uninterrupted in many cases for centuries.

For many creatures elsewhere their living space (Habitat) is forever diminishing, so it makes sense that with some simple changes they could be encouraged to make the churchyard their home. In turn this would improve the variety of life (Biodiversity) in the churchyard making it a healthier ecosystem.

Parish Eco Group

Saturday 23rd July Parish Coffee Morning & Raffle in aid of the Tanzanian Project 10:30 Canon McCrea Hall Contact Simon Woodworth for details 086-0830639

Thursday 11th August Youth Group Information Evening 7pm Parish Hall. Contact Oriel Hosford for details 087-3412445

Saturday 3rd September Bric-a-Brac Sale in the Parish Hall followed by Parish Barbeque in the adjoining Marquee. More details nearer the time.

Wednesday 14th September

The Revd Richard Dring will be ordained to the Priesthood. More details nearer the time.

Random Notes CDXXXI

Jill Hingston grew up at Horsehead in Passage West in the 1930’s and 40’s. Below is a photograph from the auctioneers’ brochure of the dining room in the house when it was sold, after her father died in the late 1960’s. Resembling a scene from a Joan Hickson version of Miss Marple, particularly “The Body in the Library”, the photograph reflects such detail.

The perfectly polished dining table. The candelabra with fresh candles. Flowers in a vase, no doubt from the gardens of Horsehead. The picture of young Richard (Jill’s twin) in his proudly worn Australian Army uniform on the mantlepiece. The portrait over the fireplace is of Elizabeth Wright (nee Sandiford) who previously resided at Horsehead.

The Sandiford’s were one of many families to reside in the house and Jill’s father inherited the property from them.

In 1883, a description of the house tells us that it contained “handsome entrance hall, approached through conservatory. Laid down with encaustic tiles; large dining room with bay window; drawing room, morning room, six bedrooms, servants apartments, large airy well ventilated kitchen with two ranges, scullery, pantries, wine and coal cellars; hot-air linen room. The house is approached by a pretty avenue with entrance lodge.”

When the Hingstons sold the house, the auctioneer was Battersby & Co., 39 Westmorland Street in Dublin. But interestingly, and printed on the back of the photograph, they used a local photographer for the print. This was J H Audley, whom I believe was a chemist based in Passage West.

The entrance lodge was demolished in recent years, but happily, Horsehead House remains and is clearly visible from the old railway line between Passage West and Rochestown.