Diocesan News
Bishop of Clogher dedicates new ‘Grosvenor Wing’ for Devenish Parish
An extension to the Reade Hall, the parish facilities for Devenish Parish Church, Monea, have been officially named ‘The Grosvenor Wing’ following the opening ceremony on Saturday, 21st April, by Leonora, Countess of Lichfield, and her sister, Lady Jane Dawnay, and dedicated by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell.
The original hall was opened on Saturday, 30th April 1966, and several people who had attended the original opening returned for the occasion.
A Service of Thanksgiving was held in Devenish Parish Church conducted by the Revd Sampson Ajuka assisted by Chancellor David Skuce. The sermon was preached by the Bishop. The readings were read by Joan Cathcart and Dorothy Scott and the organist was Gill Spence.
Following the service, the churchwardens, Colin Ferguson and David Ferguson, led the procession to the Reade Hall for the naming ceremony and dedication.
The people’s churchwarden, David Ferguson, invited Lady Jane and Leonora to officially open and name the hall extension ‘The Grosvenor Wing’ with Harold Graham, building contractor, handing over the key to them. Bishop McDowell dedicated the hall along with the following gifts:
–Fit–out of disabled rest room by family and friends in memory of Mrs Phyllis Collum;
–Fit–out of gents rest room by family and friends in memory of Mr John Latimer;
–Ladies rest room, the gift of the late Mrs Elsie Robinson;
–Stairs and lobby area, the gift of the late Mr Harry Elliott and his wife Nancy;
–Refurbishment of the floor, walls and ceiling of the Main Hall, donated by families and friends in memory of Mrs Linda Adams, Miss Mary Bell, Mrs Edna Cathcart, Mrs Jane Cathcart, Mr John Cathcart, Mrs Edith Ferguson, Mr George Ferguson, Mr Bertie Hassard, Mrs Lily Hassard, Mrs Betty Little, Mrs Joan McCullagh, Mrs June Morrison and Mr Mervyn Saunderson;
–The refurbished kitchen, the gift of Dorothy Scott and her mother, the late Mrs Dorothy Scott;
–Carpet in upstairs room, the gift of the Badminton and Youth Clubs;
–Blinds in the Reade Hall, gift of the members of the parish/Mothers’ Union;
–Tea trolley, dinner plates and dessert plates, the gift of Austin Stronge;
–100 combined cup and plate holders, the gift of Dorothy Robinson;
Following afternoon tea, David Scott, parish secretary, welcomed everyone to the event including Leonora, Countess of Lichfield and Lady Jane Dawnay (daughters of the late Robert Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, who grew up at Ely Lodge), Sir Anthony Harte and Lady Mary Harte, Canon Derek Kerr, former Rector, Geoffrey, Joyce and Ruth Allister, family members of the late Chancellor Allister, and John Scott, churchwarden when the original hall opened in 1966.
David explained that the hall served the parish well during the past 52 years but required a major refurbishment. The work included a new set of rest rooms, new stairs, a new kitchen, major alterations to the committee room and minor hall, the re–sanding and varnishing of the floor of the main hall and the painting of the entire building.
David thanked all those involved in the project and Nathan Ferguson presented tokens of appreciation to Chris Allen, Harold Graham, Raymond Bell, William Harper and Eric Whittaker.
Lady Jane Dawnay said that she and her sister, Leonora, were delighted to be back home in their home parish and paid tribute to the work of the glebewardens and the select vestry.
The Bishop also complimented the parish on a very successful project.
The Revd Sampson Ajuka concluded the afternoon with prayer.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Clogher
07708 869823
Mr Brian Donaldson
clogherdco@btinternet.com