At Newbold Parish Church, we are delighted to hear that Rev Rhoda Blackwell, who served her curacy with us, is to be our new Vicar. Her licencing will take place on Wednesday 28th June and we look forward to continuing our ministry together, here in Newbold.The pictures here demonstrate how Rhoda has thrown herself into the life of the church, including a pet service and Messy Church.Some of the initiatives in her time as "Curate-in-charge" include recommencing the monthly churchyard tidy-up sessions involving our church and community working together, she has established Messy Church as a monthly event, which welcomes many "non-church going" families, and introduced a "Blue Christmas" service last year, for those who find Christmas a challenging time. Rhoda also enjoys going into the local schools, especially our linked Church School and is a keen supporter of nature, climate protection projects and our local Foodbank. It is no surprise therefore, that she is well known and liked in the local community as much as in the church and that this news has been welcomed by all.
Lots of fun was had at the first Messy Church of the year in January, with the theme of “New Starts”. There was plenty of creativity with various craft projects. The next Messy Church is on the Sunday 5 February and continues through the year on the first Sunday of the month at 4pm.
On Remembrance Sunday, 1952, Stuart first sang as a young chorister, and 70 years later, following a lifetime of musical service to teaching and the church, he was playing the organ for this year’s Remembrance Service. Thank you! Just some of the many testimonies and tributes on Facebook: The wonderful Mr Watkinson! My favourite ever teacher - a truly kind and inspiring man who made my lifelong ambition to be a teacher just like him! Not sure I can live up to that standard but after 28 years teaching, I still adore my job and hope I have inspired even a fraction of the children he managed to inspire! Tracy Marie Dixon My favourite teacher, total legend! Dawn Hutton Its because of teachers like Mr Watkinson that we've grown up with a lifelong love of music ourselves. Jane Fawbert-Smith
