Restored gravestones

This morning I was delighted to offer some short devotions at the recently restored graveside of William Charles Cripps (he was an eminent Victorian solicitor) which is situated in the beautiful tranquillity of Woodbury Park Cemetery, a setting I have blogged about previously.

I had been invited to attend this morning’s event, which also comprised guided walk and short address, by the ‘friends of Woodbury Park’. In attendance were the mayor of Tunbridge Wells, family and existing members of Cripps Solicitors (who generously sponsored the renovation), the leader of the council, members of the public commons association and various others.

Once the grave had been sprinkled with Holy Water (from Lourdes) we retired to the Cripps offices for mulled wine and canapés. I am pictured below with members of the Cripps family firm. One might wonder why I was present at all, given that the cemetery lies within the boundary of Saint John’s parish. The answer lies in the past as the Cripps family were deeply influenced by the Catholic revival within the Church of England and became significant benefactors of the emerging Saint Barnabas’ church.

So integral was the family involvment in the early days of our parish that Arthur Shearly, brother of William’s wife Catherine, dedicated much time to working as a missionary, tending to the poor and needy. William himself had his funeral at Saint Barnabas, an event which, though planned as a quite occasion, became a major event due to the high regard in which local residents held him. He must have been well regarded for even Canon Hoare, who so vehemently campaigned against Saint Barnabas’ and all it stood for, attended the funeral as a mark of respect. Interestingly Catherine would eventually move to Torquay, which I believe is the location our founder priest moved to…..does anyone know if the events were connected? Did she move to be near the priest who so inspired her?