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The Anne Flower Interviews (since February 2006)

This is an archive of biographies about church people and others in the local villages written by Anne Flower that we have published in the Parish Magazine. If you would like to contribute to our magazine or these webpages, please contact the Webmaster.  These follow on from the interviews by Roger Whiteway, which can be found in the Whiteway Archives - click here.

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated 30 January 2007

Our East End girl ...   (February 2007)
by Anne Flower

Many of you may have wondered who the lady with the lovely smile is at the back of the church….. well it is Theresa Laurent.  It has been nice to get to know Theresa through the CCD course, which we are both doing with Hilary on a Tuesday night in Market Harborough. Theresa seems quite sure that she would like to be a Pastoral Assistant for our church/community and how lucky we are at St. Wilfrid’s. She is an extremely nice person with a real sense of understanding and patience. Theresa was born in Hackney, in the east end of London , to parents who came from the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean .  At an early age her family moved to Derby and then finally to Leicester .  The church had always played an important part of family life and this was encouraged by both her parents.

Theresa has one brother and sister, two nephews and two nieces. Theresa is close to her mother, a widow for many years. As children they all attended a Roman Catholic school, and at 18 Theresa started her nurse training in Hertfordshire. Here she attended a Baptist church until leaving to work in Bristol and then London . Theresa has worked at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, and at the Leicester General Hospital where she was a theatre sister for about twelve years; it all seems such a long time ago! She also worked at BUPA for 3 years.

She is now a senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University and has a BA in Nursing and PGCE (teaching), as well as her specialist nursing qualifications.

Theresa became a Christian 28 years ago when a friend took her to Melbourne Hall. She liked the evangelical approach to worship that Melbourne Hall had to offer and the realisation of a personal God. 

Theresa has lived in Kibworth for almost 2 years now, moving from Great Glen where she lived for 9 years.  

She thoroughly enjoys St Wilfrid’s and thinks that our church is very friendly, welcoming and dynamic in terms of activities, and has made some good friends.  She likes the mixed ‘diet of worship’ we are able to offer.

I think most of us would agree with that!

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IN THE PINK ...      (December 2006/January 2007)
by Anne Flower

I was very grateful when  Sharon agreed to be interviewed. Sharon is a lovely person always smiling, full of energy and has a zest for life, which is wonderful to see. This Friday (when this article was written), the 10th November, sees the event at the Grammar School Hall ‘In the Pink’. A fun packed evening where everything is pink and everyone is invited to wear their pinkest clothes. I just hope I can squeeze into mine!! Sharon tells me it all started when she bought a pink wine glass from IKEA and decided to have a pink evening for all her friends, it then escalated from there and now she finds herself involved in an evening at the hall raising money for Cancer Research UK. 150 ladies will be attending, receiving a three course meal with a glass of pink bubbly on arrival, waited on by men in pink aprons and dickey bows. Sounds good to me!!

Sharon with her husband, Archie, and two girls Emily aged 8, and Abigail aged 6, have lived in Kibworth now for the last 9 years. She originates from Kegworth but trained to be a nurse in Norwich in 1981.  She worked in Nottingham and St Albans before returning home to care for her parents. She met Archie 11 years ago in 1997 at a wedding full of farmers and nurses. Archie was a farmer then, working on the ‘Stops’ farm, but after being made redundant now works for himself.    Emily attends a Speech and Language Unit at Glenfield and goes out every morning at 7.45 a.m. and returns at 4.15 p.m. -what a girl! Abigail attends Kibworth Primary School .

Sharon works nights at Glenfield Hospital , and has done so for the past 15 years. She works in the Orthopaedic department but would like to work more with the dying and bereaved.  She would like to do a course with ‘Cruse’ but feels it is not the right time at the moment.  She did do a course on the dying and bereaved before, but suffered with post-natal depression when she gave birth to Emily, and never did get to do the essay. That is something she hopes to do in the future.

Sharon feels that our church is fantastic with all that it offers.  She has always gone to church and was confirmed at the age of 15. She did not always understand what it was all about, but her faith seemed to grow when her mother died.

Sharon has thoroughly immersed herself in church and has helped with Crèche, Tick Tocks, Coffee Rota, and the Year 4 Narnia Day. She attended Alpha and helped with Sunday School at her church in Kegworth.  Emily does Double Edge and loves it.  Sharon has run the Kibworth Playscheme for the last 2 years in the summer holidays and admits it is hard work. She is also a Guide leader for the Rainbows. Sharon has the wonderful support of her husband Archie (he’s terribly shy!) and all her friends, without which she couldn’t do all that she does. You don’t need me to tell you who else gives her all the support she needs! 

 

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B and B stands for Berwick and Bucks Point (November 2006)
by Anne Flower

I was lucky enough to interview Sally the night before her Cursillo trip to Spain . It’s amazing how Cursillo has affected the lives of our church family. Sally is one such person who readily admits that she got a tremendous amount from the Cursillo course at Launde, and going to Spain with friends who have also experienced Cursillo is all part of the ‘cursillo’ experience. Sally was born in Buckingham, Bucks and has moved around quite a lot during the last few years. Living in Ipswich, Shropshire, and Berwick upon Tweed before finally putting down roots in Kibworth. Sally has one older brother who is ex-army and two children, a girl who now works in a playgroup and a son who is a Tenders Manager for an Industrial Cleaning Company. Living in Kibworth has meant that Sally is now closer to her daughter. Sally was a trained nurse although in later life she ran a B&B in Berwick with her husband before he became ill. She met her husband Neville through a church group. He worked in Adult Education in Shrewsbury for a number of years.  They were given six years together after Neville’s resignation to run the

B&B.  Sally loved every minute of it, being close to the sea, and being given the opportunity to meet some interesting people. She is sure that it was the will of God that made it possible for them to enjoy those six years together.

Sally is a very caring person, and during her life has worshipped in lots of different churches, but is firmly convinced that St Wilfrid’s is a very special place. Since coming to Kibworth she has thoroughly immersed herself into the life of our church. Being a communicant assistant, a member of the Mothers Union, attending Alpha, Cursillo, Bible Study, being a reader and helping with the morning worship, are just some of the ways Sally has got involved.

Sally believes our church is alive and growing. When her husband passed away, and indeed when he was so ill, she thought the support from the church was fantastic. In times like that you wonder how you are ever going to cope.

Sally has the most fabulous garden, just one of many interests and hobbies which she has, including sewing, reading, listening to music and  the  most   beautiful  lace  work using the ‘Bucks Point’ technique which she uses to edge handkerchiefs. She showed me some of her work, which looked really super. She is well travelled too, Crete , Tunisia , Egypt and Portugal and not to mention all the places in this country. It was a pleasure to interview another member of our church family who obviously works tirelessly to keep things in motion, particularly during the interregnum.

   I have no doubt knowing who has carried her through the bad times and the good.  Let’s hope there are plenty of good times ahead for this very special lady.

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Head Chorister (October 2006)
by Anne Flower

Many Kibworth people will recognise Ted Smith, who I have chosen to interview this month. Most people will associate Ted with the Kibworth Brass band, and why not, when it is obviously his first love and something he feels passionately about. Not many of us can boast that we have been involved in something for 61 years like Ted has. That is the length of time that Ted has been linked with the band.  Ted is Kibworth born and bred, and he has lived most of his life in the village, although he has spent some time away. For short times he lived in Great Glen, Bournemouth, and Braunston, Rutland . When he was living in Bournemouth he had a Hotel and in Braunston, a Pub. Although an electrician by trade he has owned a Fruit and Vegetable shop as well as a Newsagents in Kibworth. Ted a father of four, joined the band when it reformed in 1945. His involvement over the years has not only been as a cornet player, but also as chief administrator. It seems that Ted does all those jobs no one else has time to do. He works endlessly to make sure that everything runs smoothly for the band, particularly when they are

competing and playing in competitions in this country and abroad. Last year Ted was involved in fund raising, which to his surprise did extremely well.

This allowed him to form the Kibworth Centenary Youth Brass which was formed in January 2006 to celebrate 100 years. The youth band has 24 members. They have already performed locally.

Another success story for the band is the Kiblets, the children’s band in the capable hands of Nathan Waterman.

The main band has a regular membership of 32. Much of the success Ted feels is due to the successful leadership of John Berryman, who is the bands resident conductor. John, now retired, was head of the Northampton Music Service, until a few years ago. He has been with the band for the last five years.

Ted has played at the Royal Albert Hall six times in the big contests. In 1968 Kibworth Brass Band was the 6^th top band in the country, something that Ted is very proud of.

The band has taken him to some very interesting places abroad.

When did it all start, this interest in music? Perhaps it was when Ted was head chorister at St. Wilfrid’s between the ages of 9-16. In 1951 (a good year!) he sang at the Royal Festival Hall, representing our church. The vicar was a Mr Rebbeck, whose wife was the organist and choir mistress. Ted married at St Wilfrid’s. Well the church was very different then, and so were the services.  

Ted finds it very difficult to get to church on a regular basis, but we will see him as usual on Remembrance Sunday, leading the service with the band.  

Kibworth can be proud of its band, and I am sure with Ted at the helm it is in safe hands.

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Are You Listening? (September 2006)
by Anne Flower

 

Many of us will know that in September Jane Wood goes off to Oxford to train to be in the ministry.  I cannot believe that my closest friend is finally leaving Kibworth, and pursuing the life that she feels God has been calling her to do. Even as early as the age of five Jane felt God’s presence in her life. We actually met at school at the age of 12 and have kept in touch ever since. She joined our church family four years ago and has thoroughly immersed herself in the life of worship that we provide at St Wilfrid’s. I remember inviting her to a service one Sunday morning. At that time Jane was living in Rutland . She heard Steven preach and was ‘hooked’. Jane has always liked the mix of different traditions that happily coexist at our church. She feels that our church is the first church she has been in where people genuinely put Christ in the centre. She thinks that it’s a very loving church family and likes the way newcomers are welcomed, encouraged and enabled to explore their faith.

Jane has had a very busy and full life. Being married, having two lovely kids and working hard has kept her busy for the last few years. She has done lots of different things in the past, working as a designer in the Textile Trade, working for Social services, and lately doing a degree in Psychotherapy with Sherwood Psychotherapy Institute through Derby University . Presently she is working at the Laura Centre with bereaved families, a job which she loves and will be sorry to leave.

Most of her life she has lived in Rutland , and has worshipped in several churches in the Peterborough Diocese. Her spiritual journey has led her to do all the usual courses like Alpha, Cursillo, Pastorates. She  helps lead a bible study group and is a worship leader and server. Jane spent six months in the Shetlands at Soli (Society of our Lady) two years ago. Soli gave her the space to decide whether or not to take the next step in her life.

Jane is a great listener and someone who you can talk too easily. She has supported me over the years in more ways than she really knows, I will always be grateful for that. I am sure we all wish her well.

God does work in our lives in more ways than we can imagine. The journey is often a difficult one  but God is always by our side , guiding us, supporting us, surrounding us with his love…..I  wonder are you listening?

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Sea monkeys… goldfish… stick insects… (July/August 2006)
by Anne Flower

This job, which I have taken on for the magazine, does allow me to meet some lovely people, and it was so nice when Stephen and Maryanne Curtis agreed to talk to me. Many of you will have seen them in church, and some of you will know that they live in Martyn Wyburn’s old house on Fleckney Road .  They have actually been in Kibworth now for 3 years having moved here from Scotland . They met and married in Scotland , were very happy there, but with Stephen’s family in London and Maryanne’s in Crewe they decided to move a little closer, in fact in the middle of them both. They have two beautiful daughters Emily 7 and Sophie 4, who starts school in September. When Stephen was in Scotland living in Stirling and then Edinburgh , he worked for the Scottish Parliament in research. Maryanne worked at Queen Margaret University College in strategic planning. Now Stephen works at County Hall in Information Management, whilst Maryanne having worked at the University of Leicester , has been looking after the children full time, but with Sophie going to school, is hoping to launch a new business venture: ‘eco-lunches’.

Maryanne explained to me that many of the so-called ‘lunch bag products’ available are not particularly healthy for kids, lacking fresh ingredients and with a long shelf life. They also tend to be heavily over-packaged and not the best alternative for kids or their environment. ‘eco-lunches’ will provide healthy home-made packed lunches for kids, (packaged in re-usable containers) directly to the local primary school from September. Register for further information by emailing enquiries@eco-lunches.co.uk or call Maryanne on 279 1564.

It was a pity that the children were in bed when I called to meet them. We talked about interests. They don’t have a dog or cat but the children have Sea Monkeys. What are they I asked? I still don’t think I know. They also have goldfish and stick insects. Emily plays the piano and with Sophie goes to ballet. Stephen also plays the piano. Maryanne goes power walking, and is hoping to do the Race for Life in July. They both love gardening and cooking.

Stephen is also Treasurer for the KPA at the Primary School, which they are often involved with. They are hoping to go to the west coast of Ireland for a holiday this year. 

Stephen and Maryanne were married in the Church of Scotland, and brought up as Roman Catholics. When they were looking for a new house, their best man suggested that they looked at Kibworth. They saw the Wyburn House and loved it. 

They decided to attend St Wilfrid’s having spoken to Martyn and Sue, and have never regretted it. Maryanne didn’t like the family services at first, but now loves them. Everyone is so caring and thoughtful at St. Wilfrid’s.  Stephen likes all the opportunities that our church gives for exploring one’s faith. He feels that we are diverse in our thinking and imagination. They believe that our church is a very special place, and that we all seem so friendly. Stephen loved the Lent Course, and in particular his Bible study group with Terry and Sue Wilks.

I am sure that the Curtis family are going to make a huge contribution to Kibworth and our church family.

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An Interesting Man (June 2006)
by Anne Flower

For some time now I have noticed a new face at church sitting at the back on the Harcourt side. Many of you will have seen Peter as the Centurion in the ‘Christ in the Centre’ production, which took place on Good Friday. I was very pleased when Peter agreed to be interviewed. Peter Spong is a very interesting man who at present lives in Evington. A man with a lovely smile, Peter feels that God has changed his entire life. Peter has tremendous faith and feels that God has played a huge part in making him the person he is today. Leicester born, and one of four children, he was educated at Leicester schools, and has spent most of his life working in Leicester , but has spent some time abroad. Peter left school when he was 17. He enjoyed sciences at school the best, but was always a ‘practical sort’, and ended up working in the offices of the Chitham firm of builders. His trade was one of a surveyor, which led him to be involved in various building projects.

One such project took him to Cornwall where he was involved in the building of the HMS Raleigh College. Peter told me that this college prepares ‘ratings’. I had no idea what he was talking about… apparently they are able seamen for the navy!  After a spell in Cornwall living in Looe, he was involved in building the Clinical Sciences Building as part of the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Next he spent a time in France , and then 10 years in the Middle East working in the oil industry. This was a memorable time for Peter working in Saudi Arabia . He was happy to tell me that one of the things he missed most about the Middle East was the money!

In 1986 he came back to England , decided to become self employed in the building industry, and met his partner. Peter adores his two children, Matthew (13) and Rachel (10), who live in Little Dalby.

Peter’s faith led him to worship at the Church of God in Evington before he came to St Wilfrid’s.  He attended the Alpha at the Church of God , and also the Lent Course at St Wilfrid’s.  He found the Alpha Course a big turning point in his life. He thoroughly enjoyed doing it, finding that it made his faith grow even stronger.

Peter feels very much at home with us in Kibworth, and has made some wonderful friends. He feels very strongly that the journey for him as a Christian has not been an easy one, often feeling very lonely and depressed, but he has had tremendous support from Myrtle and members of his bible study group led by Terry and Sue Wilkes. This he feels has helped his ‘spiritual journey’.

Spiritual Journey?  That’s another article!!

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Gentle Encouragement (May 2006)
by Anne Flower

Everyone in the family is very sporty. Will, who goes to Ratcliffe College , captains the Kibworth Under12’s at Kibworth and Smeeton Football Club, and also enjoys rugby and hockey. Hatty, who attends Leicester Grammar School , plays tennis, netball and hockey. She is currently studying for her Grade 5 singing examination with the ABRSM.

 

Both Will and Hatty have both sung with the church choir. Mike is busy with his business but, finds time to help with the Methodist Youth Club. He did the Alpha Course with Sara four years ago. He is a member of Terry and Sue Wilks’ Bible Study Group and thoroughly enjoys it. Recently he did the St. Wilfrid’s Lent Course, found the talk and debate interesting, although he was disappointed with the book and video. Belinda has also done the Alpha course and also recently attended the Lent Course. All of the family enjoy walking. Mike and Belinda love cooking and have done several courses together. The Italian Cookery Course that they did at the High School was particularly enjoyable.

Tom, the eldest son who is into health and fitness, did his degree in Sports Science at Sheffield University . After a year travelling, he now lives in Liverpool with his partner, and manages a Health Club.

Many of our church family, will I am sure, know Sara well. Sara started attending St. Wilfrid’s Church with Alice Ireland when Steven first arrived at Kibworth. From those early years she seems to have thoroughly immersed herself in the church.  Sara gained her first degree at Birmingham University in Politics and International Relations. She is now doing her second degree in Youthwork and Applied Theology, sponsored by St. John’s Church , Harbourne. She lives with a retired couple from the church in Harbourne, and it is a great relief to Mike and Belinda that she is being looked after so well. Sara spends a lot of time running church Youth Services at Harbourne. As Belinda says, Sara seems to have gently encouraged the rest of the family ever since, to get involved with the church. It was a pity that I couldn’t talk to Sara as she was away; I hope to do this later.

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Surrounded by God's Love (April 2006)
by Anne Flower

Linda is a hard working mum who seems to have her hands full. She has three young children, but hopes to return to nursing, probably in September, as she is currently on maternity leave. When they lived in Slough , she worked as a Macmillan nurse, and in Kibworth as a Practice nurse at the Old School surgery. When she came to Kibworth, Linda started Rainbows with her two close friends Sharon and Mandy. Dan is a Financial Systems Accountant, who is presently doing a Microsoft course.  

They like Kibworth, and feel that there is a lot going on. Katie is very happy at the school in 3R with Mrs. Roebuck as her teacher. Matthew attends the Methodist Play Group and the Old School Nursery, and is equally happy. What about faith and St. Wilfrid’s? They think the church is great and love the way it is organised. They love the worship and the music. Linda used to love the Family Service the best, but now looks forward to the children going into the Sunday Clubs during the service, so that she can have her quiet time. Both Katie and Matthew enjoy the clubs too. They both commented on how inspiring they found Steven’s sermons.  One of the things they also thought was good, was the link between the Primary School and the church, and feel that this is partly due to the excellent relationship between Steven and Mrs. De Gaye.

They like the fact that they are not pressurised at church to do things. They thought 24/7 was absolutely brilliant, and Linda has managed to get down there with the children.They both hope to do Alpha in the future, but first they want to get all the children baptised together. What do they do in their spare time? All the family love walking. Dan is very sporty and loves playing football. In fact, he has been all over the world playing football with an amateur team, which includes his father and two brothers. He has even taken part in the village Fun Run (half marathon twice). Linda is an artist with her drawing and painting. In fact, she helped with the set for the village pantomime Cinderella, at the Old Grammar School Hall, and designed the poster for the Alan Ackeborn play, which was performed by the Last Minute Theatre a few months ago.

Last year they went to Cornwall for a holiday, which turned out to be slightly disastrous as Matthew caught chickenpox and it didn’t stop raining. They hope at some stage to visit France again where Linda’s dad owns a house in the Charente .

What made them go to church? Well Dan felt he wanted to explore his faith, and things have gone on from there. What do I see? A lovely family with three gorgeous children. God has certainly impacted into their lives. And guess what – I found out that Dan plays the bass guitar!

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The Gilded Lily  (February 2006)
by Anne Flower

I was thrilled to be able to interview Mary Guildea, especially as this is my first for the magazine.  The Church family who know Mary will know you wouldn’t try to change anything about this ‘Guildea lily’.  She is a very attractive, olive skinned lady who looks as if she has lived her life in the Mediterranean . This is because her Mother was born in Cyprus , so she always seems to be full of vitality and be very positive.

I talked to Mary at a time when she had just received some very disturbing news regarding her health and yet she was prepared to talk openly about her family and her jobs.  This is the sort of person she is, quite determined to get on with life come what may.

Mary has lived in Kibworth for the last 28 years at four different addresses.  She arrived in Kibworth in time for her daughter Louise to go to the primary school. Her home now is absolutely gorgeous with its beautiful décor and open fires.  Over the years she has had several different jobs.  Starting with the Alliance & Leicester in the I.T. department where she worked for 12 years.  The next four were spent as an independent distributor with Cabouchon costume jewellery, but unfortunately the company folded.

Her next venture was again working for herself as a distributor for an American company supplying Nutritional products to the general public.  At one time Mary had over 1,000 distributors in Norway , which meant she travelled there most months to support them.  Unfortunately, again after six years of working very hard, the company folded.  The next four years were spent working part time as a receptionist in Market Harborough until she decided she was bored and needed something a bit more rewarding.  As a completely new challenge she worked as a Wedding Co-ordinator for the Shearsby Bath, a job she loved, but the owners ran into financial difficulties and had to let a few of the staff go and Mary was one of them, what next?

At around the same time her mother passed away at the age of 93, and the time away from work was invaluable.

She then started working for herself again on 4th July, Mary’s independence day! Supplying lunches for business meetings in offices and other work places. Her customers include Golden Wonder & Harborough District Council.

A Bedford girl, she comes from a big family of 5 sisters and 2 brothers, who all have a strong faith.  They all attend a denomination of one sort or another. 

I asked Mary about her faith and why St Wilfrid’s?  She always felt that she wanted to be more involved in the Church and attending the Alpha course did it.  It was lovely doing the Alpha course with such a fantastic group of people including her daughter Louise, who she is very proud of.  Mary remarked how lucky we are to have such a fantastic duo at the helm in Steven and Myrtle.  When Alpha came to an end she was thrilled to hear about the Pastorates course and immediately said yes to attending. 

Even though Mary has lived in Kibworth all these years, this is the first time she has felt part of the community, because of the friendly people at St Wilfrid’s.  She had no hesitation in being confirmed and this she did last month alongside Louise.  Her own family are obviously hugely important to her; she has a beautiful grandson named Alfie, who she absolutely adores.  She tells me Louise & Jerry have bought a holiday home in Italy , which she intends to holiday in as often as possible.  And why not?

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Last updated on Tuesday, 30 January 2007 by Kevin Feltham (Webmaster)

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