NEWSLETTER of St George Hanover Square

St George’s Church Grosvenor Chapel July — October 2018: issue 40 Inside this issue

The Rector writes 2

Mayfair Organ Concerts 3

Services at St George’s 4

Dublin visit 6

The Prisons Mission 7

The Food Coupon Scheme 9

HPPEC 11

St George’s School 11

Contact details 12

t had been hoped that this, more investment, in itself, be- eyes set firmly on the end game the 40th edition of the St ing down to the contractor’s and the ongoing benefits. George’s Parish Newsletter, performance; however it does I could have been devoted in mean that we do not antici- In the meantime, life goes on. large measure to our plans for pate the Undercroft being open The roles of magazine editor the Undercroft as we moved for- before the New Year. and contributor are distinct, ward towards its opening. That and the editor of this Newslet- will now have to wait. In relation to the search for ter has, by and large, respected our partner to run the space that distinction and has not Work on the converting this for- for us, the process remains on- trespassed on the contributor’s mer storage facility into a fully going, though nearing the end. territory. The motivation for integrated element of the 21st- We have set ourselves a dead- breaking that convention with century church is progressing, line of the end of July as the the article on pages 9 and 10 though it is now running behind latest date for a decision, after has been a perceived need to its original timeline. when we can work with the redress an imbalance that has partner to finalise the remain- perhaps existed between the While this is frustrating, the ing parts of the building work column inches we have devoted good news is that this is not be- relating to the catering facili- to the two major social pro- cause the contractors have en- ties and look and feel of the grammes with which St George’s countered any issues with the whole space. is currently involved: on the one build, but rather that the com- hand the Prisons Mission (once plexities of what is involved had Whilst we would clearly not more eloquently reported on by not been fully understood and have wanted any of these de- John Plummer on pages 7 and 8) this has resulted in delays. It lays, the advantage we have is and on the other, the Food now looks like the building that is very much a long-term Voucher Scheme which seeks to works will be completed by mid- venture for us and so we are address matters that confront October. On the positive side, able to ride out such short- us daily at our own front door. the delay will not cost us any term frustrations, with our

The Rector writes . . .

Lest we forget, some years ago There is a huge amount of pub- there were bold decisions to be lic achievement to be thankful made in finding the right Archi- for. But also there is another tect for the building… and both side: the quiet kindnesses and of us had to make difficult calls wisdom; the support and care in the midst of conflicting ad- — received in private and dis- vice. We were blessed in find- creetly — for which a priest is ing Colin Kerr. Michael has also always grateful. There have been Chairman of the Hyde been occasions when unneces- Park Place Estate Charity. He sary fuss and kerfuffle have has helped to look after church been avoided thanks to flats and property, and along Michael’s wisdom and nous. with Mark Hewitt and myself, Michael — thank you from all of has kept a close eye on our in- us. vestments as we have reviewed who the best managers of our Baptism Renewal Sunday when funds might be. In addition he we invite families who have has had wider commitments as celebrated the sacrament at St Chairman of Governors at St George’s back to renew vows ollowing decades of faith- Gabriel’s, Pimlico. and links is on Sunday 9th Sep- ful service and support of tember, followed by a party. St George’s in various ca- Michael also holds a lot of the F pacities Michael Beckett recent history of the parish Harvest Festival in aid of pro- retired in the spring after nearly within him. Along with others, vision for homeless people is on a dozen years as Churchwarden, as we look forward to our ter- Sunday 7th October, again fol- first working closely with Mal- centenary, we will need to en- lowed by bubbly refreshments. colm Lothian as a colleague, and sure that much of it is remem- then helping to look after the bered and recorded. Above all, Prisons Week Sunday is on parish in a strong and fruitful we think of Michael being a Sunday 14th October and will partnership with Mark Hewitt. congenial friend to so many at include the latest reports con- They both work incredibly hard St George’s, including members cerning the project we support for us, and you will perhaps be of the choir, donating music for with volunteers as part of our unaware that the responsibilities new settings of the Sung Mass ecumenical engagement. and scale of the job go well be- to extend the repertoire; and yond the average parish. We owe hosting stylish parties at Christ- Royal Society of St George Pa- immense thanks to Michael mas and on other occasions. rade Sunday is on Sunday 21st (supported by Lilia) not only for October as we welcome a num- his work for the church but also ber of visitors. as a key Governor of our school. There are daily prayers in He is succeeded as Churchward- church, Monday — Thursday at en by Graham Barnes, who is 12.10pm The Midday Office is also a server — as is Anne his said on most days except when wife and as indeed was Malcolm the Eucharist is celebrated on Lothian. Like Michael and Lilia Fridays and Saints’ Days. Please (prior to their move) Graham and join us if you are in the area. Anne live locally and this will no doubt prove useful as far as be- Requiem for departed loved ing responsible for the fabric is ones will be celebrated on Fri- concerned. We wish Graham day 3rd August at 1.10pm. well. Please inform the Verger if you wish to include names for pray- Michael has overseen major fab- er. Contact details are on the ric works: the complete and back page. thorough interior Restoration (coming into church almost every Holy Cocktail Hour Open day during the project); the in- House — all are welcome for stallation of a new organ and, drinks on Wednesdays 26th Sep- along with Mark Hewitt and tember, 17th October, 28th Stephen Wikner, has driven for- November at 6.30pm until 8pm ward the redevelopment of the at the Rectory, 21a Down Undercroft space beneath us, Street W1J 7AW (entrance in seeing the building through a pe- Brick Street opposite the tapas riod of profound change and im- Michael Beckett & The Rector bar – top bell). provement as Chairman of the Fabric Committee. 2 Organ Concerts

A weekly series of lunchtime organ concerts now beginning its sixth year at St George’s, Hanover Square & the Grosvenor Chapel. Every Tuesday 1.10-1.50pm

rd Tuesday 3 July Tuesday 14th August 1.10pm 1.10pm Grosvenor Chapel Grosvenor Chapel Tuesday 2nd October Richard Hobson Alex Flood 1.10pm (Grosvenor Chapel) (St Peter’s, St Albans) St George’s Music by Couperin, Bach, Programme to be announced Alberto Brigandi Frank Bridge & John Cook Programme to be announced Tuesday 21st August Tuesday 10th July 1.10pm Tuesday 9th October 1.10pm St George’s St George’s 1.10pm Michael Overbury Grosvenor Chapel Ashley Wagner (Royal (Worksop Priory) Birmingham Conservatoire) Soloist & programme Music by Bach, Farnaby, Munday to be announced Music by Alain, Bach, Byrd, & Stanford Debussy, Fournier & Reger Tuesday 16th October Tuesday 28th August th 1.10pm Tuesday 17 July 1.10pm St George’s 1.10pm Grosvenor Chapel Herman Jordaan Grosvenor Chapel Richard Hobson Programme to be announced Ben Lewis-Smith Programme to be announced (St Columba’s, Pont Street) Tuesday 23rd October Programme to be announced Tuesday 4th September 1.10pm 1.10pm th Grosvenor Chapel Tuesday 24 July St George’s Soloist & programme 1.10pm David Maw to be announced St George’s Programme to be announced Peter Gould (Portsmouth) Tuesday 30th October Music by Bednall, Buxtehude, Tuesday 11th September 1.10pm Handel, Howells, Mulet, 1.10pm St George’s Shepherd & Walton Grosvenor Chapel Simon Williams (St George’s) Andrew Benson-Wilson st Programme to be announced Tuesday 31 July (Basingstoke) 1.10pm Programme to be announced Grosvenor Chapel th @mayfair_organ Willem Hőrmann Tuesday 18 September (‘s Hertogenbosch) 1.10pm www.organrecitals.com/mayfair Programme to be announced St George’s Adam Cobb Tuesday 7th August Programme to be announced 1.10pm St George’s Tuesday 25th September Simon Harden (Dublin) 1.10pm Music by Bovet, Buxtehude, Grosvenor Chapel Connesson & Ritter Soloist & programme to be announced Programme to be announced

3 Services at St George’s July-October 2018

Sunday 15th July Monday 30th July Seventh Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Tuesday 31st July Celebrant:The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer Preacher: The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Wednesday 1st August Missa Brevis (Lennox Berkeley) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Strengthen for service (Paul Ayres) No 5.45pm service Sunday 1st July Paean (Leighton) Fifth Sunday after Trinity Thursday 2nd August 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Monday 16th July 12.10pm Midday Prayer 11.00am Sung Eucharist 12.10pm Midday Prayer Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Friday 3rd August Missa Euge bone (Tye) Tuesday 17th July 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) O sacrum convivium (Tallis) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Prelude in C BWV 547 (Bach) Sunday 5th August Wednesday 18th July The Transfiguration of our Lord Monday 2nd July 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Celebrant: The Rector Tuesday 3rd July Thursday 19th July Preacher: 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer The Very Revd Leighton Lee (Dean of Calgary Cathedral) Wednesday 4th July Friday 20th July Missa Aeterna Christi Munera Translation of St Martin, Bishop of St Margaret of Antioch, (Palestrina) Tours, c 397 Martyr, 4th c Jesu, joy of man’s desiring (Bach) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Allbreve (Bach) 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Sunday 22nd July Monday 6th August Thursday 5th July St Mary Magdalene 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Tuesday 7th August Friday 6th July Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Communion Service in B flat (Stanford) Wednesday 8th August Sunday 8th July When Mary through the garden 12.10pm Midday Prayer Sixth Sunday after Trinity went (Stanford) 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Prelude on Song 22 (Stanford) Thursday 9th August 11.00am Sung Eucharist & 12.10pm Midday Prayer Renewal of marriage vows Monday 23rd July Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer Friday 10th August Missa Brevis in F (Haydn) 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Beati quorum via (Stanford) Tuesday 24th July Trio Sonata No 4: Adagio-Vivace 12.10pm Midday Prayer Sunday 12th August (Bach) Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Wednesday 25th July 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Monday 9th July 12.10pm Midday Prayer 11.00am Sung Eucharist 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Short Service (Batten) Tuesday 10th July Thursday 26th July Ego sum panis vivus (Byrd) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Fugue in G minor (Bach)

Wednesday 11th July Friday 27th July Monday 13th August 12.10pm Midday Prayer 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Sunday 29th July Tuesday 14th August Thursday 12th July Ninth Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Wednesday 15th August Friday 13th July Celebrant: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Preacher: The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Thursday 16th August Missa Brevis (Palestrina) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Exsultate Deo (Palestrina) Allegro maestoso from Sonata No 5 Friday 17th August (Mendelssohn) 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 4 th th Sunday 19th August Sunday 9 September Thursday 27 September Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) th 11.00am Sung Eucharist 11.00am Sung Eucharist & Friday 28 September Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector Renewal of Baptismal Vows St Michael & All Angels (trans) Missa O quam gloriosum (Victoria) Celebrant: The Rector 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Preacher: Jesu, dulcis memoria (Victoria) th A Fancy (Byrd) The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Sunday 30 September Missa Brevis in B flat (Mozart) Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Monday 20th August If ye love me (Tallis) 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Fugue sur la trompette (Couperin) 11.00am Sung Eucharist Celebrant: th Tuesday 21st August Monday 10 September The Revd Dr Alan McCormack 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Preacher: The Rector Missa Brevis ‘New Norcia’ (Leece) th Wednesday 22nd August Tuesday 11 September Tantum ergo (Duruflé) 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer Psalm Prelude Set 1/iii (Howells)

th st Thursday 23rd August Wednesday 12 September Monday 1 October 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) th Tuesday 2nd October Friday 24 August th 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Thursday 13 September 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer th Wednesday 3rd October Sunday 26 August th Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Friday 14 September 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Holy Cross Day 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Thursday 4th October Celebrant: th The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Sunday 16 September 12.10pm Midday Prayer Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Preacher: The Rector th Mass for four voices (Byrd) 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Friday 5 October Sacerdotes Domini (Byrd) 11.00am Sung Eucharist 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Celebrant & Preacher: Voluntary in D (Tomkins) th The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Sunday 7 October Monday 27th August Missa Brevis (Dove) Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer Adoramus te, Christe (Lassus) Harvest Festival Symphony 1 – Final (Vierne) 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) th 11.00am Sung Eucharist Tuesday 28 August th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Monday 17 September Celebrant: The Rector 12.10pm Midday Prayer Preacher: th The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Wednesday 29 August th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Tuesday 18 September Sparrow Mass (Mozart) 12.10pm Midday Prayer For the beauty of the earth th (Rutter) Thursday 30 August th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Wednesday 19 September Chorale Prelude on Ember Day ‘Dundee’ (Parry) st 12.10pm Midday Prayer Friday 31 August th 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Monday 8 October 12.10pm Midday Prayer nd Thursday 20th September Sunday 2 September th Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer Tuesday 9 October 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer Friday 21st September 11.00am Sung Eucharist th Celebrant & Preacher: The Rector St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Wednesday 10 October Communion Service in F (Darke) 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer O soft self-wounding pelican 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Sunday 23rd September (Peter Leech) th Prelude & Fugue in A minor (Bach) Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Thursday 11 October 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer rd 11.00am Sung Eucharist Monday 3 September th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Celebrant: The Rector Friday 12 October Preacher: 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) th Canon Alistair McDonald-Radcliff Tuesday 4 September th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Mass for five voices (Byrd) Sunday 14 October Panis angelicus (Dering) Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Wednesday 5th September A fancie – for my ladye nevell (Byrd) Prisons Sunday 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 12.10pm Midday Prayer th 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Monday 24 September 11.00am Sung Eucharist 12.10pm Midday Prayer Celebrant: The Rector th Preacher: Members of the Thursday 6 September th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Tuesday 25 September Prisons Mission Team 12.10pm Midday Prayer Communion Service in G (Whitlock) th O sacrum convivium (Messiaen) Friday 7 September th St Evurtius, Bp of Orleans, Wednesday 26 September Sonata No 6 – Fuga (Mendelssohn) th St Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 4 cent th 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Martyr 258 Monday 15 October 12.10pm Midday Prayer 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said)

5 Sunday 21st October Monday 29th October Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity 12.10pm Midday Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) 11.00am Sung Eucharist & Tuesday 30th October Royal Society of St George 12.10pm Midday Prayer Parade Service Celebrant: The Rector Wednesday 31st October Preacher: 12.10pm Midday Prayer The Revd David Addington 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Missa Brevis (Kelly) Salvator mundi (Tallis) Crown Imperial (Walton)

Monday 22nd October 12.10pm Midday Prayer

Tuesday 23rd October 12.10pm Midday Prayer

Wednesday 24th October 12.10pm Midday Prayer 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said)

Thursday 25th October Tuesday 16th October 12.10pm Midday Prayer

12.10pm Midday Prayer th Friday 26 October Wednesday 17th October 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said)

St Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, 679 th 12.10pm Midday Prayer Sunday 28 October 5.45pm Holy Communion (BCP said) Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Thursday 18th October 11.00am Sung Eucharist St Luke the Evangelist Celebrant: 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) The Revd Dr Alan McCormack Preacher: The Rector Friday 19th October Mass for All Saints 1.10pm Holy Communion (BCP said) (Gabriel Jackson) Holy is the true light (Harris) St Andrew’s Suite (MacMillan)

s anticipated in the previous edition of the Newsletter, the weekend of 15th—17th June saw a party from both parts of the Mayfair A Parish on a visit to Dublin. Apart from meet- ing the deans of both cathedrals and other dignitar- ies, the group visited Trinity College where Dr Alan McCormack, now Assistant Priest at St George’s, was Dean of Chapel and Chaplain for nearly 10 years. On the Sunday, Fr Alan was celebrant at the Sung Eucha- rist at Christ Church Cathedral and the preacher was our Rector, Fr Roderick Leece.

6 Churches Together in Westminster Prisons Mission

ART BY PRISONERS the RC Bishop for Prisons sent a message of appreciation for the shows and related lec- tures and events. St George’s he Prisons Mission, which Hanover Square was not cho- operates under the auspi- sen as a host church because ces of Churches Together in its daily footfall is much less T Westminster (CTiW) ar- than the others and it does ranged a series of shows of art by not presently have a suitable prisoners at three central space to display artwork of churches from March until this scale. However, mem- June. The purpose was to use the bers of this church, Alistair artwork as the focus to attract a Milward, Sarah Tubbs, Sarah wider audience of church people Jane Vernon and Freddie de and the general public and make Sibert, who are also active them more aware of the grave Prisons Mission participants, crisis within the British prison were very fully engaged in system. tions to attend together. On the development, funding and these occasions, we had a former management of the whole prison artist and an experienced initiative. Prisons Mission volunteer in at- tendance, to answer questions “Portraits from Prison”. and facilitate discussions about prison issues. The artwork on display in- cluded 24 paintings, drawings and sculpted pieces by men, women and children serving custodial sentences in British prisons. Each picture had a brief narrative describing what it meant to the art- ist. The exhibition attracted a lot of interest from casual visitors attending, or just passing through the churches Different Faces and they were asked to com- The venture involved a partner- plete forms explaining why ship with the host churches and they had liked, or found in- the Koestler Trust, which for over teresting, a particular piece 50 years has promoted the visual of work. These forms were all arts in prisons as an aid to educa- sent by the Koestler Trust to tion, recovery and rehabilitation. the individual artists in pris- The Prisons Mission raised over ons. We found that the most RIP Mr Jones £10,000 from individual benefac- (made with cigarette stubs) tors, so that there would be no financial burden on either the churches or the Koestler Trust. “Can Prison Work?”

We identified four churches as The planning with each host suitable hosts because of their church, in advance of the shows, very busy central London loca- included arrangements for spe- tions, keen support for the work cial services, events and lectures of our Prisons Mission and cross- relevant to the subject. Jona- denominational reach. These than Aitken opened the first were St James’s Piccadilly, show at St James’s Piccadil- Bloomsbury Central Baptist ly. He was a Government Minis- Church, St Martin-in-the-Fields ter before conviction for perjury and in in 1999 and serving a custodial Leicester Square. Unfortunately, Inside my Head sentence, beginning at HMP the last of these had to withdraw Wandsworth. He explained the from the programme for entirely value of art in the self esteem internal reasons. This resulted in effective use of the shows and journey towards recovery for the disappointing absence of a was to arrange for groups of some prisoners, which he had Roman Catholic church from the visitors from interested both witnessed and experienced series. The Rt Rev Richard Moth, churches or other organisa- personally. Jonathan’s own

7 Visitors

Many visitors to the shows and lectures were casual and other organised groups were from churches or interested organisa- tions. Several members of multi -faith Prison Chaplaincy Teams also attended. Only one Gover- nor grade officer is known to have attended. Director Ian Whiteside of HMP & YOI Bronzefield leads the biggest prison in Europe for women and girls, where Prisons Mission vol- unteers are active. He wrote to say that he was “significantly impressed” by the panel at St Martin-in-the-Fields and “held them all in the highest re- gard”; “hearing them speak was an opportunity not to be missed”. He supports the learn- ing and work in the prison’s art workshop and is “confident that the current artists in my care will continue to progress and that their pictures will be shown at future Portraits from Prison The Visit exhibitions. He explains that his own “determination on improv- recovery will continue with his Evens arranged several special ing standards of safety and de- ordination in St Paul’s Cathe- services and group visits to the cency was appropriately re- dral on 30th June. exhibition for worshippers and th freshed” by attending the lec- others. On 8 May a very distin- tures. He, for one, did not Peter Dawson, the Director of guished panel of speakers ad- merely go to look at the pic- the Prison Reform Trust, the dressed the Can Prison Work? tures. leading think-tank, presented theme. These were Dame Anne the first lecture on the theme Owers, former HM Chief Inspec- Review and Evaluation ‘Can Prison Work? For Offend- tor of Prisons, Chair of the Inde- ers? For Victims? For Tax pay- pendent Police Complaints Com- The Prisons Mission is now con- ers?’ As a former Prison Of- mission, now Chair of the Koes- ducting a candid Review and ficer, then Governor of prisons tler Trust and first Chair of the Evaluation of the entire Art by for men, women and young of- Independent Monitoring Boards of Prisoners initiative in collabora- fenders, he provided a wide all British Prisons; Professor Nick tion with the three host church- range of information which pro- Hardwick CBE, also a former HM es and the Koestler Trust. We voked keen questions and dis- Chief Inspector of Prisons, Chair must learn lessons from our ex- cussions. of the Independent Police Com- periences this year and consider plaints Commission and now Pro- how best we might take this for- John Plummer addressed the fessor of Criminal Justice at Roy- ward. Should we do something same theme from a different al Holloway University of Lon- similar in 2019, or how could it perspective, when he lectured don; and Juliet Lyon CBE, For- be better and more effec- those attending the show when mer Director of the Prison Re- tive? Please contribute your it moved to Bloomsbury Central form Trust and now Chair of the own observations and sugges- Baptist Church. One of the out- Independent Advisory Panel on tions. Meanwhile, our work in comes is that the Minister Rev Deaths in Custody. Having visit- London prisons and the Centre Simon Woodman and several ed every single prison, as well as at Heathrow will continue and local Baptists will attend an in- many Police Custody Suites and we must prepare to mark Prisons troductory visit to one of Lon- Secure Hospitals and scrutinised Week from 14th to 21st Octo- don’s prisons, arranged by the the inner workings of the entire ber. For all this work, we need Prisons Mission as part of the system, this panel provided a your help. church’s future involvement in mass of information, observations this ministry. and insights which were evidently John Plummer appreciated by the large invited Coordinator The show next moved to St Mar- audience. It is hoped and ex- Prisons Mission tin-in-the-Fields on 5th May and pected that those who attended Churches Together In remained open to the public will be ready and willing to lead Westminster until 10th June. More space was well-informed discussions about 62 Perth Road available for an increased num- issues concerning the prison sys- London ber of pictures to be very at- tem with friends at their church- tractively displayed and Revs es and elsewhere. Richard Carter and Jonathan

8 The Food Coupon Scheme

eaders with long memo- ries may recall the es- tablishment seven years R ago of our Food Coupon Scheme in terms of which, coupons distributed by Vestry staff to the needy who come to us, are redeemable at the Hanover Square Cabmen’s Shelter for food to the value The Cabmen’s Shelter, of (originally) £2.00, (now) Hanover Square as previously £2.30. This, it will be re- & as at present called, was an alternative to handing out cash ‘for a cup of food per annum St George’s con- tea’ which we knew would all tributes significantly to this too often end up paying for a ‘unhelpful’ infrastructure. Liber- range of other liquids. al sensitivities may bristle at such sentiments but one only has to be Much has of course changed in at this particular coalface for a seven years. Most obviously, short while to realise that per- one can at present not see the sonal misfortune and adverse cir- characteristic late 19th centu- cumstance, while seldom absent, ry, green, grade II listed cabin are far from being the only fac- under hoardings for the Cross- tors involved in London’s home- rail station currently under lessness narrative. The elephant construction in the NW corner in the room here is the word of Hanover Square. Less obvi- ‘choice’. Do people choose such ous to all except those direct- adversity? Almost certainly not. ly involved in the Scheme is But, can one say with equal cer- tion to avoid an unsustainable the substantial growth in de- tainty that when offered help overspend. And we are not talk- mand and a concomitant that would get them off the ing here about refugees or mi- change in the social profile of street and into an alternative and grants from further afield but those benefitting. meaningful lifestyle, all con- about the natives of countries cerned would respond positively? within the European Union for And therein lie two facets of a Possibly not and the reasons be- whom life on the streets of Lon- problem that has dogged the hind that particular negative are don is more lucrative than it is Scheme since its inception. as complex as the homelessness back home. While one might sym- For alongside the plaudits that phenomenon itself. pathise with individuals who it continues to attract are the make such a stark personal persistent voices of those who Where the element of choice un- choice, such sympathies should maintain that what we are doubtedly does exist is among not turn a blind eye to the reality doing is not helpful. It is a the increasing number of those of criminality that can and does body of considered opinion who elect to come from abroad exploit such vulnerable individu- that holds that one of the rea- to live on the streets of London. als under our very noses. Life on sons there are so many Indeed such has been the in- the streets has always been rough ‘homeless’ people on the crease in numbers coming to our and dangerous. It just gets more streets of London at present is doors recently that, having re- so when the unscrupulous enter that the supportive infrastruc- duced the number of days on the mix; ask any of our ‘regulars’. ture is so good and that by which we distribute coupons, we providing £16,000 worth of are now having to consider im- Continued overleaf . . . posing a moratorium on distribu- 9 Storage space

The Food Coupon Scheme (continued) ne of the strange things about churches large or small is that few if any have adequate storage space: space to stack chairs; to store hymnbooks; to hang vestments and On page two, the Rector speaks O altar frontals; to put away vacuum cleaners and floor pol- warmly of Michael Beckett who ishers; and, perhaps above all, to file papers and documents. To retired earlier in the year as be fair, until work started on converting the Undercroft, St churchwarden. The Food Coupon George’s was probably better served than most, not least be- Scheme was one of Michael’s cause the boiler room in the basement many babies and one of which he only occupied half the available space, should rightly feel proud. It was leaving a fair amount of room for storage. conceived as a response both to With the passage of time, this had admit- a social need on our doorstep tedly become a bit of a glory hole but and to the problem encountered when we cleared it out early last summer by those on weekday duty in the before the start of work on the Under- church when they were previous- croft, there were high hopes that, once ly asked for ‘the price of a cup of the work was finished, we would at least tea’. From the outset, those at be left with space for a readily accessible the sharp end of the project have document archive. But it was not to be. insisted that it can only be oper- For ‘Archive Room’ now read ‘Restaurant ated on a non-discriminatory ba- Prep Room’ - leaving just one remaining sis. Anyone who comes and asks option. gets, even when we know some could themselves well afford to High above the west end of the church pay for one of Faye’s bacon rolls just under the roof, accessible by a spiral and others are part of a well- staircase and running the full width of the building is a chamber that until a few days ago housed the bellows of the 19th and early organised group of men, women th and children dropped off by mini- 20 -century organ. bus in the area earlier in the Unused for 50 years at day. To do anything else would least, this equipment not only be practically impossible had just been left be- but it would offend an important cause it was consid- underlying principle of philan- ered too bulky to thropic Christianity. That said, move - until now. Pho- we ought not to be blind to some tographs appearing on of the uncomfortable underlying this page illustrate issues inherent in our involve- where we are now. ment in these murky waters nor Photographs in the be constrained in expressing next edition will, I opinions about such issues that hope illustrate a fully may cut across currently fashion- functional Archive able points of view. Room.

10 Hyde Park Place Estate Charity

CIVIL TRUSTEES At their meetings on 7th March and 23rd May 2018, the Civil Trustees of the Hyde Park Place Estate Charity awarded grants totalling £85,905 to the following organisations working in the : Westminster Boating Base Cardboard Citizens Asthma Relief Westbourne Park Family Centre Central London Samaritans Encouragement Through the Arts and Talking (ETAT) South Westminster Community Festival Foundation for Young Musicians St Augustine’s CE Primary School Streetwise Opera STEM Skills Fund The Passage In-Deep Community Task Force Iris Theatre The Marylebone Project FareShare North Paddington Youth Club DreamArts Friends of the Elderly St George’s School St George’s Hanover Square - Refreshment Coupon Scheme

The next meeting of the Civil Trustees will be on Wednesday 26th September (application deadline: Monday 10th September). A further meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th November (application deadline: Monday 12th November).

ECCLESIASTICAL TRUSTEES A total of £48,025 was awarded in grants at the Ecclesiastical Trustees’ meeting held on Sunday 3rd June, for the benefit of the churches and clergy based in the original historic parish of St George’s Hanover Square. The next meeting will be held in November. Shirley Vaughan Clerk to the Trustees

Mrs Judith Standing, Headteacher at St George’s School writes: Since the last Parish Newsletter, we have been incredibly busy at St George’s. As a church school, we had a wonderful day focusing on Easter. We set up seven different stations relating to the Easter story (both inside the classroom and outside in the playground). The children then spent time at each station reflecting on the important aspects of each part and thinking about how they felt and how they would have reacted if they were one of Jesus’s disciples. In May our Year 2 and Year 6 children completed their SATs. We were extremely proud of the way the children worked throughout their tests. Recently our choir were invited to sing at the Queen’s Chapel during one of their lunchtime services. This was a fantastic privilege, and again we were incredibly proud of all the children. We are looking forward to our Summer fair which is on 8th July, and we hope that many of you will be able to join us for that.

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PARISH OF ST GEORGE, HANOVER SQUARE Charity No: 1134811

Rector: The Revd Roderick Leece

St George’s Church The Vestry, 2A Mill Street, London W1S 1FX Tel: 020 7629 0874 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.stgeorgeshanoversquare.org

SGHS Enterprises Ltd Company No 10023760 VAT No 276582758 Email: [email protected]

St George’s Hanover Square Foundation Charity No 1120505 Email: [email protected]

Hyde Park Place Estate Charity Charity No 212439 Email: [email protected]

Grosvenor Chapel 24 South Audley Street, London W1K 2PA Tel: 020 7499 1684 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.grosvenorchapel.org.uk

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