Sadly Richard’s death was announced on 29th August 2021. He first came to Monks Chapel in 1983. After a few years he began to arrange visiting preachers and in the last eight years was voted in as secretary. During that time he edited tapes recorded at the Chapel services for worldwide distribution. He solely managed Chapel life maintaining a consistent active congregation much to the appreciation of all the attendees. He will be greatly missed by both preachers congregation and all that new him. A memorial service will be held at Monks Chapel on Saturday 7th May at 11.30 am and Jan will welcome everyone.
Here is an interview from 1985 where Richard explains how and why the “Friendship Hour” cd’s came about.
August 2021
Below is a contribution to Richard’s Pew for the month of August from one of our congregation….Richard
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 4/37
In this stark and timeless moment with suddenly lifted hearts
we acknowledge the irrelevance of death. (Evangeline Patterson)
In 1967 R.D.Laing wrote these words – “We all live under constant threat of our total annihilation. We seem to seek death and destruction as much as life and happiness. …..Only by the most outrageous violation of ourselves have we achieved our capacity to live in relative adjustment to a civilization apparently driven to its own destruction. If we can stop destroying ourselves we may stop destroying others. We have to begin by admitting and accepting our violence and to realise that we are as deeply afraid to live and to love as we are to die.” Those are gloomy and challenging words which seem to be as appropriate today as the day they were written.
People talk about the Apocalypse and forecast the end of the world as disease and warfare dominate the news. But of course the apocalypse won’t be the covid . In 1945 the atomic bomb was thought to be the end of everything. The threat of nuclear war is still very real. However, the present catastrophe is nothing like extinction level when you consider the event when the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. Which calamity do you think will deliver the coup de grace?
The 6th century was the harbinger of famine, pestilence, political upheaval and economic collapse on a grand scale. The cause was a volcanic eruption in Iceland in 536AD which plunged Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia into 18 months of darkness. Summer temperatures fell, crops failed and people starved. Then the Plague of Justinius struck in Egypt wiping out half the population of the eastern Roman Empire and hastening its collapse. Pandemics, volcanoes, asteroids, nuclear war, ice age and now global warming have been the stuff of nightmares down the centuries, but we have to live with them and adapt if we can. Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal observed “our earth is 45 million years old but this century is the first when one species (ours) can determine the biosphere’s fate.” Sooner or later the end is nigh for everyone and we don’t need a message on a sandwich board to remind us of that bleak reality. So somehow we need to find hope for each other and for our world. In Romans Paul wrote ‘Hope that is seen is not hope. For who ‘hopes’ for what is seen? If we hope for what we do not see though, we actively wait for it with patient endurance.’
As Christians we all have the gift of hope. Hope in a loving God; hope in the coming Kingdom of God; hope in an afterlife. We will get through this time of disasters as news of one calamity after another happens in every part of our world. Yes, we can take action to try to prevent some of the disasters, caused by man’s carelessness with the forces of nature. And yes, we can all accept responsibility, admit our mistakes and try to give hope to others. Also with Kenneth Phifer we can pray-: How often, O Lord, do I read casually of disasters afar? How often, O Lord, do I hear indifferently of catastrophes far removed? Then when disaster moves close to me and shatters the calm of my life, I come alive to pain and loss.
I know you understand how limited I am, by my love that fades off into indifference, by the boundaries of my friendships and personal concerns. I am just that way. So come to me now as I pray for the stricken, for those who grieve and mourn. Perhaps I will be more sensitive in the future, more aware, a bit gentler and kinder. For all of us move along the razor’s edge between life and death. We all need your Spirit, O God, not just in times of calamity, but also in our days of strength and well being.
Thought provoking, challenging but so very true – think about it prayerfully.
Every blessing Mary
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
June 2021
Free film for the use of Churches, Bible study and Prayer groups.
The Wartime Miracles Leaflet which was posted to 25,000 churches across the British Isles three years ago has now been turned into a free film, ideal for encouraging congregations during these uncertain times. A National Day of Prayer, pleading for Divine Intervention was held in May 1940, when Nazi Germany was about to destroy the British Army and invade the UK. Two days later the English Channel became as calm as a millpond enabling tiny boats to cross and rescue 333,000 soldiers and bring deliverance from invasion. Such a calm hadn’t been seen for a generation. It is a dramatic example of answered prayer. This short ten minute film explains exactly what happened and is circulating around churches to encourage people and give them hope. This is an inspirational witness worth sharing widely and it can be easily circulated via email, text, WhatsApp and on Facebook. Please prayerfully share it with others to strengthen their faith.
The film can be viewed either by clicking on the link below or by going on to YouTube and searching for “A Dramatic Answer to Prayer. The Miracle of Dunkirk”.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
November 2020
Hello all. Not much has been happening as we are still closed due to the Covid-19 situation. I have received the lovely message via our website from Joan (see below for an excerpt), who has visited Monks Chaperl last year.
Good morning Richard and Jan,
Thank you for the URC communication’s update. I think I must have joined most denominations over the years.
Starting off as Presbyterian, but when moving to England in the late 70’s there was no Presbyterian Church, and so I went to United Reform. Then moving to British Forces Germany, there was no URC so I attended Church of Scotland. When I returned to UK in 1999, I went to St Aldhems then Monks, in Corsham.
Moving to Glos and went to the Methodist. I then joined C of E and married in a lovely old Church, and followed the vicar who married us to her new Church in Upton St Leonards . I recall the last Harvest in 2019 going to an Allotment for a service at Upton St Leonards in the morning and then driving to Monks where I met my friend Anne in for their wonderful Harvest service.
Since CV 19 I sometimes accompany my Mum to her small but lovely Sally Army Service. But in my heart of hearts I know that when Martyn and I find our ‘forever home’, I will seek out a URC. I find them more welcoming to outsiders and less competitive to say they are better than all the other denominations. I also favour simplicity over rituals.
So that’s my spiritual journey.
Bye for now Joan
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
September 2020
Hello all. Well I have now got round to bringing things up to date. As with many other people we had to close our Chapel to keep us all safe from this virus which seems to drag on and on. Which is a big blow to us all.
We do miss the fellowship of Sunday afternoon worship, and although we can access services online it is not the same as being together. On the plus side after many months of planning and obtaining financial help mainly from the United
Reformed Church, we have purchased a lovely large shed, which is divided into two sections, one to put tools and the mower into and the other one is the new toilet. Which was badly needed!
We also had to employ a handyman to keep the grass in control as none of our men folk are capable of doing the job. We also welcome a new minister to the area the Rev Pam Stranks a retired Minister from Devon who has ties with the Chippenham area .
I have good reason to thank the Stranks family in that they were responsible for me being involved the Tape (now C.D’S) Ministries, which we continue to send out two C.D’S every Month all over the world. We receive letters and e mail from lots of
Listeners which encourages us in our Ministries. We thank you for all you’re the prayers and hope we will all soon to be able to be back in our lovely Monks Chapel/em>
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
August 2020
Hello all, this bench has just been put up to go with the new shed, we have installed at Monks. Just perfect for sitting in the sun with our after service cups of tea and cake.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
July 2020
Here is a letter I received from a Blind listener in Australia a few weeks ago. She has been a listener for some time now and corresponds to another blind lady in Chippenham, and she types them in Braile which is a system of raised dots, not used much now due to ease of other ways of communicating. Pray you are all well I will get you some more updates as soon as possible promise.
Bless you both.
Joan xx
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
March2020
Here is another compostion from Rae Whitney regarding the Covid-19 virus
Below are some thoughtful words that can also be sang as a hymnal, just written by our dear friend Rae E Whitney regarding the Corona Virus pandemic and its effects on our lives.
Suggested tunes:
KINGSFOLD Hymnal #292, 480
FOREST GREEN #78, 398, 705 and
ST LOUIS #79 “o Little town of Bethlehem”
A TINY THING WE CANNOT SEE
CMD
A tiny thing we cannot see
or taste or feel or hear,
has shut down nearly half our world
and brought distress and fear.
We’ve read about the plagues of old:
now _a virus gone astray
has caused much sickness, death and grief,
with new reports each day.
But many helpers brave this plague
and serve those most in need,
and offer comfort, help and care
through many a word and deed.
We thank our true and gallant ones
who risk their lives to bring
relief and help to sickened folk
touched by that tiny thing.
Yet there are other tiny things
to cheer each anxious heart,
a smile, a wave, a caring note,
though we must stay apart;
a phone call, email, facebook, skype,
can curb anxiety,
while faith and hope and love abound
to keep our spirits free.
Rae E Whitney 2020 © 2020
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
February 2020
Here is on topic poem sent in to us regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
HOW THE VIRUS STOLE EASTER
by Kristi Bothur (with a nod to Dr. Seuss)
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.
“There won’t be church services,
and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses
when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday,
the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.
The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.
“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.
“They’re just waking up!
We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.
“That noise,” said the world,
“will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.
And it did hear a sound
coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.
But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook!
What it saw was a shocking surprise!
Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”
“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”
Then the world thought
of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought,
“doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
And what happened then?
Well….the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
The churches are empty – but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see HOPE
when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see
the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find FAITH
in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find JOY in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that –
let it start a revival.”
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
January 2020
Here is a lovely thank you letter from Joan who is on our CD mailing list. It’s a free service. If you would like to receive a CD recording of our services please get in touch.
Hi Richard and Jan
I just want to say a huge thank you for sending the CD’s, after the one for the Harvest I didn’t expect you to send more, as I had told you I didn’t have a CD Player, but as you know since then I have a player that belongs to my mum. Furthermore the CD in my car has miraculously started working again without sicking mid track.
So I was blown away by the CD’s you sent in November, as I just love your taste in music e.g Fishes and Loves. I enjoyed the Remembrance Day pieces, a recording from an evacuee and the village that were forced to leave as the MOD required it, and never returned. The bit about the Salvation Army to name but a few
In fact I was so pleased I took it to my Mum, who is now 93yrs old, she has been to Monks on several occasions. When we had finished with it, she gave it to the Officer in Charge of her Salvation Army Church Tewkesbury and requested that when he has finished with it, he gives it to a house bound person.
So your word has spread. Today I have received Decembers CD and will listen to it as I drive to visit my friend in Wales tomorrow, then pass it on to my mum and the cycle with continue.
It is less than 3 weeks until Christmas, and the days are short and cold, so I cannot come to Monks this month. But look forward to worshiping in the Little Chapel on the Hill in the Spring time.
Until then, I wish you both good health, and a very Happy Christmas.
Bless you both.
Joan xx
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
December 2019
Here is a lovely thank you letter from Joan who is on our CD mailing list. It’s a free service. If you would like to receive a CD recording of our services please get in touch.
Hi Richard and Jan
I just want to say a huge thank you for sending the CD’s, after the one for the Harvest I didn’t expect you to send more, as I had told you I didn’t have a CD Player, but as you know since then I have a player that belongs to my mum. Furthermore the CD in my car has miraculously started working again without sicking mid track.
So I was blown away by the CD’s you sent in November, as I just love your taste in music e.g Fishes and Loves. I enjoyed the Remembrance Day pieces, a recording from an evacuee and the village that were forced to leave as the MOD required it, and never returned. The bit about the Salvation Army to name but a few
In fact I was so pleased I took it to my Mum, who is now 93yrs old, she has been to Monks on several occasions. When we had finished with it, she gave it to the Officer in Charge of her Salvation Army Church Tewkesbury and requested that when he has finished with it, he gives it to a house bound person.
So your word has spread. Today I have received Decembers CD and will listen to it as I drive to visit my friend in Wales tomorrow, then pass it on to my mum and the cycle with continue.
It is less than 3 weeks until Christmas, and the days are short and cold, so I cannot come to Monks this month. But look forward to worshiping in the Little Chapel on the Hill in the Spring time.
Until then, I wish you both good health, and a very Happy Christmas.
Bless you both.
Joan xx
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
October 2019
Dear Friends of Monks Chapel here we reach the end of another year and much to look back on. With good services during the year from Easter onwards to our Summer carol service which we record for use this December 2019, for our postal service of cd’s. for the housebound and people with no Church to get to on a Sunday. This year it was led by Rev David Coppard helped by lots of help from Friends of the Chapel.
Harvest this year was led by the moderator RevRuth Whitehead and was well attended with people from as far as Gloucester and North Wilts. We had a lovely loaf made in the shape of a sheave of corn given to us by a local Supermarket and we handed it on to a group of churches in West Lavington for their Service the following week.
During the year we appeared in a book entitled Deepest Wiltshire and had a visit from some relatives of Ivor Tilly(who years ago was responsible for this Chapel still being open)come over from South Wales to look up his grave, and to see Monk’s Chapel where he spent most of his time. Ivor had lost his sight in a motorbike accident and was blind, despite this he was a tower of strength to everyone in this Chapel for many years. As for the future we have a Carol Service on the 22nd December at 2 45.pm all welcome. And may we wish you all a very blessed Christmas time from all of us at Monks.
Here follows a thank you letter from someone who is on our CD mailing list. It’s a free service. If you would like to receive a CD recording of our services please get in touch.
Hi Richard, Thank you so much for sending the CD’s I have listened to the Harvest one, the quality of the recording is fantastic, and I loved the music you have recorded at the start about the Little Brown Church in the Dales, so fitting. Listening again to the fantastic sermon, Monks is very lucky to have such an accomplished preacher, and I note she is a Moderator in the United Reform Church. I only know of Moderators in the Presbyterian Churches so I have learnt something. My friend is coming to visit me on Wednesday and I am sure she will be delighted with her copies. I look forward to visiting Monks again, in the future. Best wishes Joan
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
April 2019
Hello everyone. As promised here is an account of the book launch I spoke of in my last post. Rev Heather and Hugh and Jan and Me went to the launch of the new book titled “Deepest Wiltshire” which took place at the town hall in Devizes. It was packed with people who were involved in the making of the book. There was a magnificent spread of food laid on for the guests and all the food items had a Wiltshire connection, cheeses, wines, bread etc. It was a very enjoyable day.
This excellent publication took a year to research. It has been well written by the two lady authoress’s Gay Pirrie Wier and Fanny Charles. The theme of the book is about the County of Wiltshire through the eyes and experiences of the authors, and in the chapter on Worship in Wiltshire Monks Chapel has a very good write up and photo’s.
The book is described as part almanac, travel guide, recipe book and history tome. It retails at £25.00 and all profits go to the Wiltshire Community Foundation. Last year the Foundation gave more than 31.2 Million pounds in grants to groups and individuals in the County, including SSAFA and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance .
The book has been financed by Lord Rothermere’s foundation and follows a similar book on Dorset two years ago. Their next book will be about the County of Somerset and is in the planning stage.
We had our Easter Service last Sunday and attendance was good. Afterwards we all enjoyed tea and scones outside.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
March 2019
Hello again time to bring us up to date with what’s been going on in the last three months. Well towards the end of 2018 we had a visit from two ladies who spotted our Chapel by accident when passing through the county researching for things to put in a book entitled Deepest Wiltshire. We met up with them one afternoon they were very impressed with the Chapel and took notes and pictures. The book is now published and the launch of the book took place in Devizes and we were invited to attend, I will tell you about this in my next update.
Christmas services went very well and at the one nearest to Christmas had a congregation of over 60 strong.
We had a lovely member of our Chapel pass to glory recently. Margaret Perkins who served her lord here quietly for years until the last few when she was unwell. A good example of a busy lady doing lots of tasks which was never appreciated until she stopped doing them.
Our Minister Heather spent a holiday in the holy land in March and we now look forward to the Easter services. I spent a short spell in hospital after a fall and was a couple of weeks away from Monks but when I return what a joy to
walk up the path lined by daffodils.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
December 23rd 2018
Well it seems a long time ago when I last put pen to paper so I thought this a good time to get you up to date We have made steady progress his year and attendances have stayed steady, and we have had a varied mix of speakers again so something for every body. The five year buildings inspection went well and it is in very good condition.. We have lost a few people this last year and Derek Fawcett will be sorely missed. Derek attended the Chapel with his wife who plays our organ once a month and also led worship a couple of times a year. Some other members are in care homes now with age related problems Pat has a new new knee and Jan a new hip, but the numbers keep the same and we have welcomed some new faces during the year. Same with our cd ministry some leave but some others are welcomed into the fellowship which sends cd’s out around the world each month. As I write these notes it is the Christmas season upon us and we look forward to the Carols being sung over the next few weeks so we would like to wish you all a very blessed Christmas time a happy new year and all that may bring us. If you would like to know more about our work here at monks please get in touch with us.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
April 7th 2018
It seems such a long time ago since I updated this news letter, as I have been telling you mostly about the Friendship hour tape ministry, so I thought we could look at what has happened generally over the last couple of years.
We now have a loop system fitted for the people who wear hearing aids and it is well used each week.
Back in 2013 we had a visit from the president of the Methodist Church Rev. Ruth Gee.
We also purchased an electronic Hymnal machine, which plays every Hymn in use today for when we have no organist. It is not the same of course as a real organist but it is better than nothing.
On Sunday 26th of April 2015, one of our Chapel attendees May Perriman was made an Elder of our Chapel.
In July of 2015 the scaffolding went up in the Chapel and painters moved in to renovate the walls and ceilings so for five weeks we held our Services in Whitley Methodist Chapel then we moved back into our lovely smart Chapel on the 16th of August.
On the 29th of November 2015 we held a rededication service to thank the lord for it’s continuing service in the area.
In 2016. we welcomed Peggy and David Spink as members and David is now our regular organist they transferred from Chippenham Tabernacle which closed recently.
On the 25th June 2017 Rev Cathy took retirement and moved to Devon to live. Our new minister the Rev. Heather Wilson Heather and her husband Hugh settled in straight away and we are very happy with her ministry with us.
During the last year we held a weekday service for about thirty ladies from Bath.they belonged to the Bath Christian Ladies group and they organised the service themselves it was a blessed time together.
We also had a family from America come to a service as they were on holiday and staying near by.
We are now looking forward to our Summer Carol Service, this is now a annual event because we need a recorded service to use for our c.d.ministry next December. This years service will be recorded on Sunday 15th of July
Why don’t come along at least it won’t snow!
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
March 25th 2018
I had the email below from our friend Rae Whitney from Scotts Bluff, Dakota USA. It’s a lovely Hynm she wrote a few years ago.
Richard & Jan, — THINKING OF YOU AND THANKING YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TAPE MINISTRY
I wrote this years ago, but somehow wanted to share it with you at this time. I hope all is well. Love and Blessings – Rae
JESUS WALKED THE WAY OF SORROWS 887
Jesus walked the way of sorrows,
through the gate of no to-morrows,
for, on this day, he would die.
Faithful women came with Mary,
saw the cross that he must carry,
knowing he was doomed to die.
Many were the folk who trailed him,
shouts and cries and blows assailed him,
as he struggled on to die.
Enemies were there haranguing,
while Christ on the cross was hanging:
for our sins he chose to die.
Through the Savior’s own life giving,
we are saved to praise him, living;
he is raised, no more to die!
Rae E Whitney 2001
This hymn is intended to be sung on Good Friday,
but when sung at another time, Stanza 1 may be
changed from “on this day” to “on that day” .
TUNE: STABAT MATER DOLOROSA
a.k.a. MAINZ.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
Feb 28th 2018
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing our our dear friend George Phillips Yeats, who passed away on the 23rd January 2018 after a very short illness. He will be missed by all of us who knew him at Monks Chapel where he attended services frequently until moving back to his birth place of Salisbury 2 years ago. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
Feb 25th 2018
Below is a letter Jan and myself received from our good and very dear friend Rae Whitney from Scotts Bluff, Dakota USA.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
May 2017
This Month I am going to tell you about things that go wrong with the best laid plans of a recording session. The first one I ever did was in a country chapel with a tin roof you can understand what that one sounded like when it started to rain!
Another time I was asked to record a Carol service in a lovely old church in Newton St Loe just out side of Bath Wells. When we set up the equipment it was daylight, and we found the Church had no electric. So we had to run two extension leads joined together (one plugged into the other) across the Church yard over to the Village Hall. We made the mains plug join as water proof as we could, using a plastic bag and some insulating tape.
All was well until a few minutes before the service started when the power went off. This did not matter to the people in the Church because they all had candles but of course our recording machines would not work. So grabbing a torch we followed the lead through the foggy grave yard over the field to the village hall.
So imagine our surprise when we found the caretaker had pulled the plug out to boil his kettle! He was very sorry about it and was a little red faced. We were soon reconnected and the Service went off with no more problems.
Another clanger was when we went to Wooton Bassett to record a service in a big Church in the high street, where the preacher was to be the president of the Methodist Conference that year. Well we arrived with all our gear in the afternoon. We laid all the gear out on the floor and with a great horror found we had left the mikes at home. Well you can see what a problem that was no time to go back to Chippenham to get them No mobile phones in those days but a phone box outside the Church I managed to phone my Nephew and he went round to our house got the case of mikes and brought them up to us. We had already laid the cables and we were just fitting the mikes up just as the service started .
For my last tale this Month let me tell you a story about “when time stood still”. It was on lovely Spring morning in Chippenham. We were to record the Chippenham Folk Festival in Central Methodist Church as we have done every year since it came into being, and as usual put all the gear in the day before. So all we had to do was to turn up on the Sunday morning and record it.
Owing to other things happening in the town the service is always a 10 am start. This is no problem except that I was still in bed when I awoke with a start. I was rapidly putting clothes on, and praying that I would not be too late jumped in the car and tore down to the Church. Luckily there was parking space right outside the door. I ran up the stairs to find the Church was still filling up so the start was delayed for 10 mins, so it was all well. Thank the Lord for slowing down time!
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
February 2017
Hello again, I’ve received an email from my friend Paul, who does a huge amount of Charity work, despite being blind from a young age. He is an inspiration to us all. Here is the email he sent to me a few days ago…
Hi all, I haven’t done a news email for a while, so hear goes.
A fortnight ago, I received a email from the Lord Mayor’s Secretary, asking me to go and have a cup of tea with the Lord Mayor of Swansea, in the Mayors parlour, in the Guildhall, as he wanted to thank me for all the charity work I have done over the last 30 years.
I was so surprised and felt humbled. What had happened! it seems friends of mine from the Grand Theatre Club had come to see my mother when I was doing my radio program back around November, to get some details, and paper cuttings about me, no one said anything to me in case it didn’t come off. So when I received the email my mother told me that she had known for months, but wasn’t allowed to tell me, I was so excited!
So on Tuesday we were picked up by our local councillor, who also had a invite, when we got to the Guildhall, we were shown into the Lord Mayors parlour, there was myself my Mother our local councillor, the Lord Mayor, and Lady Mayoress, my friends David and Val who nominated me, and the councillor who put it forward. The Lord Mayor explained to us that he wanted it in the Mayor’s parlour in the Guildhall, as it would be something special, as not many people get to use it. He also said he wanted to say thank you to me for all the charity work I have done over the last 30 years not just on behalf of him, but the City and County of Swansea. We then had tea and cakes, and we chatted about the different charity things I had done over the years, I reminded him it was back on Saturday 22nd February, 1987, that I did 10 laps around the Morfa Stadium, with his mother when she was Lord Mayor at the time, for her charity that year, friends of the young disabled. And how she presented me with a tracksuit with my name on it, and how I had treasured it for years. He then asked me to sign the special visitors book, and here is the photo of me with the Mayor and Mayoress, signing the visitors book, after that we had more photos taken. I felt so proud to have been invited, and will never forget my special afternoon.
I have a very busy calendar, tomorrow I am off to a exhibition for the blind, and will be giving a talk in the evening about “growing up with blindness”. As its St. David’s day next Wednesday on my program I will be playing all Welsh songs, then in the evening I will be going to the Grand Theatre to see Mike Doyle. Then next Saturday I’m going to see Max Boyce with my friend Carl from Cardiff. On Saturday the 11th off to the Grand Theatre again to see Chris Needs, and friends, and on Saturday the 18th, I am doing poems in a show in Pontlliw, to raise money for the Stroke Ward,
My next charity shows are, Tuesday the 21st of March starting at 7 pm, in Swansea Dockers club raising money for the Lanton community, who do work with special needs, singers Andy Davies, Jeena Lodwick, and Lorraine King, admission is £3.00. Tuesday April the 18th also starting at 7 pm, at the Mansion House, singers and buffet, tickets £7.00, money raised on that night will go to two charities the Swansea and Gower talking magazine for the blind, and the disabled Christian fellowship,
And on Friday the 30th of June another charity event at the Pengry Road Club Lougher, and that will be raising money for Gorseinon Parkinsons Clinic.
Hope to hear from you all soon…. Paul
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
September 2016
Hello again continuing the story of our tape ministry. We now come to the point where we have grown to a sizable unit. Most of the churches are helping us in several ways. We needed lots of helpers who could give up time every two weeks to take the cassettes by hand to house bound people. This was a big task the producers had to make the master tape and get it to the copiers on time, to be sorted into areas for the final delivery to the homes.
This was all given free of charge but of course the running costs were high. We had to buy tapes in the hundreds and also purchase high speed copiers . By this time I had become chairman so this was another worry. But I need not have worried because Churches and schools soon started fund raising with sponsored walks rides etc one group did a cycle ride around Castle Coombe race course with one man riding on penny farthing.
Another group from Chippenham did a mile of pennies up and down the high street. Then along came the Rotory Club with a copier. And then the round table and a group of RAF lads from Lynham air base took us on as a fund raising term for a year. We now had a lot of good recording gear to be able to go out and about recording local events and concerts… More about that next month.
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
June 2016
Our Tapes Ministry called “Chippenham Tapes”, first ever meeting was held in the School room of the Congregational Church in St Marys Street in Chippenham.
A committee of six people was formed to start a “cassette club” who’s aim was to make audio programmes that would be issued to people who were housebound, and unable to attend a church service.
One of the members, Reg Coates, had a bit of experience of tape recording choirs in the parish Church in Chippenham, and the opera group at the Methodist Church in Monkton hill in the town. So Reg made a start with our first music tape.
The Chairman was Rev. William West, who organised a team to deliver the tapes to people who for health reasons were unable to get to church. The delivery was going to be every two weeks and delivered by hand. The aim was to make sure each listener had a regular visit. This was a massive task and involved the help of most of the Churches and youth groups in Chippenham.
A “magazine tape” followed, produced by Cath and Rodney Ryall. Also a request tape service was organised by the Bath group.
I helped with the distribution of the tapes which soon grew from the six listeners to over one hundred! and involved nearly as many delivery persons.
Thus started a service which lasted many years and grew to take in the towns of Calne, Corsham and Melksham to name but a few.
Next Month I will tell you how all this was funded….Bye for now
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
March 2016
Good news Monks Chapel has now been certified as a place registered for the solemnisation of marriages for opposite sex marriage only. So we can now accept inquiries for weddings.
Music for Christ Recordings has this year reached a big milestone in our ministry. It was forty years ago that I did my first recording of a service. It was at a little Baptist Chapel in Biddestone Wiltshire.
Mr.George Farquhar led the Service helped by some young ladies guitar group from Sheldon road Methodist Church in Chippenham. The year was 1976.
How did I get involved with a tape ministry in the first place. Well I was interested in tape recordings to make sound tracks for films and I was buying tapes and machines from John Fishlock in Bath. John was involved in making tapes for a tape ministry in Bath who delivered them to people who were housebound and also Hospital Radio. One of his listeners was the wife of Rev,William West in Chippenham who thought it a good idea to form a group in the town. A meeting was arranged at the Congregational Church in the town and I went along with John to observe but not get involved
What happened next I will tell you next month….Bye for now
God Bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
September 2015
Dear Friends…
Well at last the Chapel has had the last tin of paint put on and it looks lovely .
The painters took five weeks to re-plaster and paint the building as it had to be done with lime plaster and a lime based paint which could only be put on with brushes it was a very skilled job. Then it took every body in the fellowship two weeks to clean the Chapel up and put the fixtures back in place.
We will be having a open day on the 28th of November for people to come and have a look around and a thanksgiving and rededication service on Sunday the 29th November, with our Minister the Rev Cathy Arscott as the preacher.
We had to find rather a lot of money for this project and gifts and grants have most of it but if any one would like to make a contribution we would be very grateful for any donation large or small. Our treasurer is Mrs J Smith 1, Unity Street Chippenham, Wilts SN14 0AR
We give a big thank you to the Methodist Chapel in Whitley for the use of their premises will Monks was closed it meant we could worship as usual each Sunday.
God bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
July 2015
Dear Friends…
It is about time I put you in the picture of what we have been up to lately.
Well at long last we will be starting on the repairs to the plaster work in the Chapel and painting the complete interior. This is a very skilful job because it has to be done in lime plaster and paint. It has taken a long time to find the people to do this job but it is now going to start on Monday, 6th July.
It is going to cost in the region of £10,000! We have some of the money but not enough to complete the job and we put our faith in the Lord to supply the rest.
He has never let us down in the past and know he will supply now. We have to close the Chapel for a few weeks but our friends in the Methodist Church in Whitely have kindly let us use their premises to hold our services.
We are also in the process of getting our records and grave records up to date which is another big task.
Music for Christ recordings continue to record Services an send them all over the world.
This is another example of the Lords faithfulness as we have never asked for funds but rely on the Lord to supply every need. He has done so for over forty years.
Please pray for us to be able to continue to spread the Gospel in this way.
God bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
February 2015
Dear All
This month I have some sad news for you.
Last month one of our faithful supporters went to be with her lord. She was Mrs Netta Farquhar from Chippenham.
Back in 1975 when we began as a small group in Chippenham, we also started Chippenham tapes fellowship making audio tapes for the housebound in North Wiltshire. From the very start Netta delivered tapes by hand to our listeners . She was also involved in the fund raising side, holding rummage sales and bring and buy sales. In fact the first service we recorded was led by her husband George at a small Baptist chapel in a village near here.
Over the years we have been grateful for her help and encouragement as the tapes [now c d s] started to grow and now go out world wide. Netta also was involved in the making of a cine film “A Bible for Mary” which was the story of Mary Jones a young girl who saved up her pocket money and walked many miles over the Welsh mountains to buy a Bible.
This was the start of the British and Foreign Bible Society. This film took two years to make and both our families travelled to Wales to make some of it on the sites that it actually took place. Netta also wrote poems and over the years we recorded her reciting them for use in our monthly cd “The Friendship hour”.
So thank you Netta we will miss you but know you are now with the Lord you served so well.
God bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
January 2015
Dear All
We would like to thank all of you who helped to make last year another successful one. We lost a few listeners but gained some more so members receiving cd’s each month remained steady. We received many letters and emails and phone calls of encouragement. So our aims for this New Year is the same as always to bring the good news of our Lord and Saviour into the homes of as many lonely people as we can, and to those who cannot get to a place of worship each week, which in this day and age there are lots. Another way of helping the shut in’s is to keep a eye open in your area. If you haven’t seen or heard someone for a while, why not find out why. Pop around for a chat or offer to do a bit of shopping or just make sure they are warm and have food in the cupboard. Some people don’t see another person for days on end.
With so many Churches closed now Christian fellowship is missed for many folk. But there is hope because apart from our tape ministry there are many Churches record their services each week and make them available to anyone who asks. There are also many postal services around as well .
If you want to know more please contact us.
God bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com
December 2014
Dear All.
I would like to put you all up to date as we have had a very busy summer at Monks this year, due to the lack of a organist we had to purchase a Hymnal Plus box. This is a wonderful piece of equipment it has nearly every hymn ever written and every tune as well. We had it installed with Complete Mission Praise and it was duly fitted in July. After some teething troubles including a mouse attacking it! we are now getting used to it. It seems strange not to see anyone playing the organ but with Nick or Pat at the controls we manage quite well;
We also had a new p.a.system with a loop system for people with hearing difficulties. The next big task is to get some of the plaster in the Chapel replaced and the walls repainted, but has this has to be done in lime plaster and paint it is hard to find men who know how to do the job and of course we will need to find the money to pay for it.
We could be looking at a total cost of £10,000!
Two people has left us recently, the Rev Roy Fowler who is mentioned in another part of this site. The other persons are Andrew & Audrey Pye who have been coming to take services for us for many years. Andrew had a health scare and was advised to cut back on his preaching dates. We shall miss them all a thank the Lord for their service to us and send our prayers with them in their future walk with God.
Well as one door shuts another opens and we give a warm welcome to our new minister the Revd Cathy Arscott.
Cathy and her husband Frank comes to us after serving ten years in the Launceston Methodist circuit in Cornwall. Where she looked after six country chapels in West Devon and Cornwall. Before her call to the ministry Cathy worked as a school secretary and before that as a music tutor in a primary school. Cathy and Frank have four married children and ten grandchildren and a dog. They enjoy ballroom dancing classes at the Manor School in Melkshamand spend a lot of time exploring the Wiltshire countryside and taking Sam on walks. Well thats all my new for the moment.
God bless
Richard and Jan Smith.
(+44) (0) 1249 653897.
Richard.smith753@btinternet.com