Why we use Turbary Church

For our most recent members of the congregation a brief history won't come amiss. Historically the parish of West Parley stretched from the river by All Saints up to and including Three Legged Cross, six miles long and two miles wide. Gradually the other parishes became detached leaving Tricketts Cross with us.

In January 1991 we were told that the Diocese had been invited to consider taking over the lease and responsibility for the Community Centre at T.C., which was threatened with closure by the District Council because it was losing money and there was continual vandalism.

It was thought that a church presence would have an effect on the vandalism. After many negotiations, a financial commitment on our part and the provision from the diocese of a Church Army Officer with house, it seemed appropriate to meet the challenge in the Decade of Evangelism.

Our first Church Army Officer, Capt. John Richards and his wife Gloria, started on 1st October 1991 and stayed for two years. Capt. Geoffrey Fry was licensed in January 1994 and together with his wife Phyllis was responsible for many achievements. He took the Sunday services at Heatherlands and Phyllis ran the Sunday School. He got hefty funding from the E.D.D.C, started the Wednesday Luncheon Club, the Holiday Schemes in August for the children and helped at St Mark's and All Saints church services. It was a sad day when they retired in June 1999.

Captain Simon Cake and Sister Kathleen replaced them. At this time vandalism increased and they only stayed a few months. After much deliberation the P.C.C. decided to give up the management of the Centre and handed it back to the District Council.

As a parish we are responsible for baptisms, marriages and funerals and to continue to keep a presence there it was agreed to use Turbary Church premises and hold two services a month. On the first Sunday at 3 p.m. there is Holy Communion and Evening Prayer on the third Sunday, also at 3 pm. The congregation is small but intimate so if you miss either of the other two services in the parish, why not come to Turbary. Similarly the Rector leads an occasional Service of the Word at Turbary Court, which is well worth supporting. These are held on a Tuesday afternoon and include a cup of tea and a chat with some of the residents. Do let the Rector know if you are interested in coming to these services or supporting the work in some way.