Moving On at Kenley and Purley Methodist Church

"After much exploration and prayer, at the Church Council held on 25 February 2012 the Church resolved that it would cease to function as a local church after 25 November 2012. Moving On was the theme for the last service held at Kenley and Purley Methodist Church on Sunday, 25 November 2012. It was wonderful to see the church packed, and to hear the memories of over 100 years of witness and service in that place."

I had a friend who said her mum and dad went to this methodist church but that they were an ageing shrinking congregation.

Now I read ...  "For Sale Freehold Price £700,000.00 (Offers in excess of.)

Substantial church property with adjacent hall and various meeting rooms and ancillary areas. redevelopment potential subject to planning consent. site area 0.34 acres ( 0.137 hectares) approx.

Not just loosing a church but also a community space.

Swarthmoor Hall Revisited

This Elizebethan Manor House in Ulverston, Cumbria was the home of Judge and Margaret Fell. Here George Fox found a place to rest and be among friends in the years around 1650 when the Quaker founder was often the subject of persecution

We often visit, and look round the old house - just half a mile from the house of my parent's in law. Swarthmoor Hall has been furnished with artifacts from George Fox's time. But it is more than a living musuem. The long barn alongside has been rebuilt as a place of study and retreat where people can come, like George Fox, to find peace among friends.

In Cambridge not Oxford for a change

After a family event in Bury St Edmunds we booked in to St Johns College (for B&B during the student vacation) in  Cambridge.

This was one of the views of our B & B - the Bridge of Sighs.

In the zoological museum we saw what could have been an extra-terrestrial in a preserving solution.

I enjoyed the quiet of the botanical gardens and walking round on the grass - barefoot - looking at the flowers in the systematic beds.

Also very much enjoyed Kettles Yard, a house crammed with modern art from about thirty or fourty years ago. Very relaxed as you can sit in easy chairs or browse books from the shelves as long as you like.

Saw the iconic view of Kings College from the Backs.

But did not punt - the venders were just too pushy everywhere we went. I have never noticed them being that pushy in Oxford.