Page 9 - Moravian Messenger July 2019

Fetter Lane
Marking 300 years of the King's Road
Fetter Lane member Sr Loretta Bass took her place in a 1926 Bentley during a recent parade of vintage cars, one of a number of events this year to mark 300 years since local tenants and landowners were granted permission to use this royal thoroughfare. The King's Road in Chelsea stretches from Sloane Square to Fulham, with Fetter Lane Moravian Church and God's Acre located just over half- way along, a logical stopping off point for the parade. We were also pleased to be the venue for an exhibition - King's Road 300: 1719 to 2019 - curated by local historian and friend of Fetter Lane, Ian Foster.
In 1750, just 31 years after the opening of the road, Count Zinzendorf purchased from Hans Sloane the land between the Embankment and King's
Road, with plans for it to
become a Moravian settlement in London. King's Road is renowned as a centre for art, fashion, music and originality. We ourselves contributed by providing the home and studio of the sculptors Mary and Ernest Gillick, and the exercise ground for Christian the Lion in the late 1960s. We'll be telling more of our own history during London Open House weekend on the 21st and 22nd of September.
Tytherton
It seems impossible that a year ago we celebrated our 275th Church Anniversary which was combined with the annual Western District Conference. Peter Gubi was our guest preacher for this occasion and we were grateful
that he made such a long journey to be with us. It was lovely too that his father, Peter, was also able to be present here again. We all enjoyed the service and tea afterwards.
Now this Sunday it is Anniversary again and this year we will welcome Richard Law, a lay preacher from Kingswood, and our friends from Congregation Avenue, Bath.
Last summer we welcomed many visitors
from near and far, who were all
impressed with our lovely buildings and
burial ground. Many remarked on the
beauty and serenity of the location. One of these visitors was Michael Jones from Auckland, New Zealand. He was on a mission to search for information on one of his relatives, John Cennick. Michael is related on the side of Cennick's wife. He joined us at church on a couple of Sundays and hopes to return this year.
On 20th June we celebrated the life of Kate Denton, who died 27th May 2018 aged 102. Pat Holtham paid tribute to Kate in her eulogy, enthralling us with Kate's interesting life including her experiences in Kenya.
After our morning Remembrance service on 11th November, we joined the other local churches and villagers on the village green for afternoon service of dedication to mark the 100 years since the Great War. Short accounts of all the local servicemen who lost their lives were read out. Brigadier Powell, a war veteran,
The Fetter Lane congregation, although small and dispersed, is very much a part of Chelsea, past and present.
Sr Cynthia Dize
(sadly since deceased) helped to plant a tree next to a memorial stone. It was a very moving moment in time. Patsy closed the service by playing the last post.
Our village Christingle service organised by Nic Pillow was, as usual, a very popular occasion with late arrivals having to stand.
More recently we have had a visit from the Chippenham and district metal detecting club. They found some very interesting relics on the lawns in front of the church. We discovered from their finds that a great deal of sewing took place there in the past, judging by the number of thimbles found. Other items of interest included a Saxon stirrup mount, some silver King
George V coins, a King George IV marriage token and a 2nd century Roman coin.
In April we held a small concert with two choirs, Nic Pillow's local children's choir and the Kingswood Community choir led by Paul Holdsworth.
Our lovely poplars have recovered and our resident woodpecker has decided they are good enough to make a home there again.
As always our thanks go to all those who help and support us, Paul Gubi, our friends who join us every month for our soup lunches, Nic Pillow, Nigel Pocock and his team who help me keep the burial ground looking at its best and Patsy, our minister.
Sr Anne Waldron
Sr Loretta Bass leading the parade
Vintage cars at the Close
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© Sr Lynda Gulwell
© Ian Foster