PARWICH.ORG

Tomorrow at the Methodist Service held in Parwich Church at 2.30pm sees the dedication of the lectern in memory of Minnie Smith and the glass cross in memory of John Lees. Everyone is welcome to the service.

Minnie Smith by her daughter Jan Smith.
We are dedicating a new lectern in memory of my Mum, Minnie Smith. Minnie was born in a cottage on Alsop Road in 1912 and spent her early years in the village, attending the Methodist chapel and the local school. She often used to talk to me about the headmaster, Booth Hampson, who she always had a great deal of respect for. I gather that she wasn’t always a model pupil, as Mr Hampson was known to throw his keys across the desk to attract her attention during lessons.

Mum left Parwich to work first at Bradbourne Hall and later for Dr Madge in Ashbourne, before marrying Jim Smith in 1941. They spent 55 happy years together before my Dad died in 1996. My Mum always retained her deep affection for Parwich and I was brought to the village from a very early age. I am told I learned to walk at Flatts Stiles, then the home of Mum’s cousin, Mrs Mabson, on my first birthday. I know that Mum always felt that she was coming home when she came to Parwich and until her death in 2000 regularly attended the chapel services. I know that she would have been thrilled that our friend Colin has made this beautiful lectern in her memory.

John Lees by his daughter Janice Wigley.
Myself, and indeed all the family, especially my Mum, Peggy Lees are delighted that the cross in the Lady Chapel at Parwich Church is to be dedicated to Dad, John Lees. Dad was born in Ballidon in 1919 and ’emigrated’ to Parwich when he married Mum, he attended Parwich Chapel from then on. He loved chapel and I also have happy memories from childhood of new dress & gloves for Easter Sunday & Anniversary Services when the chapel would be full to bursting- even the balcony!

Thank goodness the ‘Chapel’ remains here and thanks, good luck & best wishes to all who have helped to achieve this.