On Saturday before the Coronation the Bellringers rang some rounds and call changes, followed by a quarter peal of 1260 Reverse Canterbury Pleasure Place Doubles. It could be heard throughout the village. On Sunday we enjoyed a super service when we had the same hymns and one of the readings from the Coronation service. The Church was beautifully decorated with some fantastic arrangements. After the service we toasted the King and enjoyed other refreshments before many in the congregation joined in the village Big Picnic.
Canon Rob Dillingham informed all that it had finally been agreed, to appoint a House for Duty (HfD) incumbent to Cowden who will work in a ministerial team led by Rev’d Julie Sear (Hartfield and Colemans Hatch). He explained that a HfD post means that someone will live in the Rectory, rent free and give 2.5 days a week to the Church. The relationship between Cowden and Hartfield / Colemans Hatch will remain informal initially with Cowden staying in East Grinsted Deanery. Hartfield and Colemans Hatch are in Rotherfield Deanery. He explained that the cost of moving Cowden into Rotherfield Synod will be considerable and very time consuming, so it had been agreed to get a HfD in post first. Rob stated that this is the best solution for Cowden at this present time as it will ensure that there is a priestly and authorized cover living in the village.
