The Rector has moved on
The resignation of the Rector of Castle Bromwich has been announced. Rev Hopkins has been at the church since 2017. He is to be priest in charge of a parish near Reading. 

During the pandemic and the rector’s personal leave of absence, the work of the church has nonetheless continued. A group of committed volunteers has maintained contact with churchgoers via Zoom meetings, emails, phone calls and personal visits. A whole series of online events has taken place and church services have been held online. As the lockdown eased, visiting preachers have supported the church at live services. It is a remarkable achievement during a difficult time and their hard work and dedication has earned the praise and thanks of members of the congregation.

Weddings are back
After a lengthy and frustrating break the wedding season at St Mary & St Margaret’s is underway again with the organ, choir and bellringers all playing their part. Church member, Lucy Licence, whose marriage to Mark Bramham was delayed because of the pandemic, said, “Worth the wait and honestly the best day of our lives! Thank you for all the love and kind wishes from all our wonderful friends and family, it truly means the world.”

The occasion was also notable in marking the return of church organist Martin Bates after his recent illness. He hopes to make a full return to organist’s duties in the forthcoming weeks before Christmas. 

Church picnic
Changeable weather did not deter church family and friends from enjoying a picnic in the church grounds. It was a proper English picnic: hampers of sandwiches, lashings of ginger beer and outdoor games. Above all it was a chance for parishioners to meet together in person again. 

Priests at Castle Bromwich 
From Anglo-Saxon times Castle Bromwich was part of the very large parish of Aston. When a chapel was built in Norman times, the Rector of Aston sent a priest to take church services at Castle Bromwich. The priest, known as a curate, was an assistant to the Rector of Aston. It is likely that the lord of the manor gave the priest somewhere to live in Castle Bromwich close to the church. No names of priests are known before 1558, but records exist for many curates after that date.

William Churchley of Henley in Arden, the first curate whose name is recorded, was at Castle Bromwich chapel in 1558, the year of the accession of Queen Elizabeth I. A succession of priests served the tiny rural community until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century and the pandemic of the Great Plague of 1665 when no priests’ names are recorded. 

The last curate from Aston was Edwin Kempson who arrived in Castle Bromwich in 1827. In that year it ceased to be a chapel of Aston and became a parish church in its own right. So Edwin Kempson became the first Rector of Castle Bromwich and served for a remarkable 51 years. Dying in post in 1878, he is buried in the nearby graveyard. Ernest Bridgeman became rector in 1879. He was a cousin of George Bridgeman, 4th Earl of Bradford who lived at Castle Bromwich Hall and was the patron of the parish. 

Herbert Malleson, appointed in 1915, was noted for befriending gypsies, even spending his holidays with them. He hosted a church festival at which gypsies set up their caravans in the church grounds. They told fortunes and gave the money to the rector for good causes. He too is buried in the graveyard. 

More recently: Father Christopher Boyle, rector 1983-2001, who became the Bishop of Northern Malawi and later Suffragan Bishop of Leicester. 

Rev Lt Col Gavin Douglas, rector 2008–2016 formerly of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours of 2000. He served with the United Nations peace-keeping force in Bosnia and later was the deputy director of a NATO resources project. As Rector of St Mary & St Margaret’s church he presided over a number of important projects including the building of the church community hall and the restoration of the church bells.

Back to normal . . . almost
September saw the annual Patronal Festival celebrating the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary This ‘Welcome Back To Church’ service’ was led by Rev Colin Jones of Holy Trinity, Wordsley, a curate at Castle Bromwich some 15 years ago. Father Colin is best remembered for bringing a donkey into the church for the children’s Nativity service, a donkey that refused to get back into the horse box for the journey home.

The 10 am Parish Communion service is back! and no need to book online. Some restrictions are still in place such as the wearing of face masks and hand sanitising. Full details on the church website.

Monthly Café Worship is back. This relaxed informal service is led by church members and followed by refreshments in the community hall.

Church groups
The Bereavement Support group is held in the community hall from 1:30pm on the 2nd Monday of the month providing help and companionship for anyone experiencing difficult times. 

Baby & Me meetings are back on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Hopefully there will be no need to book for this friendly and inclusive parent and baby group (though best to check the church website first). 

New, existing and non-members are welcome to join the Mothers Union in the community hall for refreshments and a chat. 

Flower arranging: Join the team who make the beautiful floral displays for Sunday services and special occasions – no previous experience necessary. 

Luncheon club: Join this open group for a chat and a meal. Details on the church website. 

Wayfarers is the church group for young people aged 4 – 11 years old with fun activities with a religious theme and takes place in the community hall every 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

For up-to-date information on services, covid restrictions and events visit the church website – www.stmaryandstmargaret.co.uk or follow the Facebook page of St Mary & St Margaret Church.