I arrived in Caterham with Vera, my wife and sons, Francis and Martin to a very warm welcome. Unfortunately, it was not long before the weather had other ideas and we experienced one of the worst and longest winters we had ever known. It was great fun for the boys, who built igloos, snowballed and had a great time. Everyone else had to make the best of things. It was not all loss, many turned to and helped elderly and housebound neighbours survive and at St Paul's, we took the opportunity to relay the floor in the church hall. Mr.Guy Hereward sorted out the maple and Major Bob Edwards walked to the hall each night to supervise the work.
A good deal of time and energy went into keeping the building in good shape. The whole of the interior was cleaned and redecorated, the outside too was repainted. The grounds were tidied up, during which memorial plaques were found by the shrubs and trees surrounding the church. Also the hall extension was completed which included a stage. All these efforts had the effect of bringing people together, creating a sense of belonging and fellowship. This was one of the wonderful experiences we enjoyed at that time.
In other things, it was a case of developing the work that had been done by those who had been at St Paul's before. There was a large Sunday School, a Kindergarten and the uniformed organisations which paraded regularly. It was a high light when a united parade with St Mary's church was organised. With Primrose and Arthur Razzell playing a leading part, it was possible to hold special Lent events, with a Three Hour Service for children on Good Friday. This included a walk to gather flowers for the Easter Garden, refreshments, and a part in the adult service at St Marys church.
St Paul's had its own committee, which was always a great support, particularly when members had helped finish the mead left over from the wine and cheese evening. One thing that comes to mind, was how people looked out odd pieces of silver, which enabled us to purchase a ciborium for the church. We were also blessed with the skill of Babs Edwards who made several sets of vestments, which made Bob Edwards talk about people dressing up like a dog's dinner. No respect for the cloth... whatever the colour!
Major Mantell, one of the Readers, had the task of organising the Centenary Celebrations for St Mary's church, in which St. Paul's played a part. This all went well with a procession round the parish.
It was St Paul's end of the parish which gave most support to the new venture produced by the church for a Lent course, it was called, "No Small Change" and at the end a report was submitted to the P.C.C. It was not well received and it was clear that as most of the members had not taken part on the course they felt very defensive. A pity as there was a lot of positive material which could have given direction for the future. Of course this would be the view of a young curate.
The main change in the pattern of services was the introduction of a weekly 10.am Parish Communion. It became established and it was not long before St Mary's had a monthly Parish Communion.
St Paul's had a large and flourishing M.U. with Mrs. Daisy Hereward the enrolling member. The hall would be full of mothers and a creche was run for the many children who were under school age.
We had a Junior Youth Club which met in the hall and it had the only walking entry in the local carnival. It was "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe". A pram with a roof and a little window out of which the old woman peeped, and the rest of the club suitably dressed pulled the pram with ropes. It was a great success with the public and the press, getting a good write up and a large photo. Unfortunately the judges refused to give an award as it was the only entry in its class. Never mind, it was a lot of fun.
The most rewarding time was the year when we had a large group of adults for confirmation. We could discuss and talk through many matters concerning the faith. It was about this time that Fr.Henry Theobald came to the parish as curate of St Mary's and we worked together on many schemes, Lent Courses and the regular communion for the Dene Hospital. Henry went on to be a hospital chaplain, and our friendship has continued over the years.
The time eventually came for us to leave, but our stay in Caterham was one of the happiest periods of our life. The Rector Kenneth Budd, was a kind and supportive priest and friend, whose experience could be called on, yet who gave his curates a great deal of freedom, to him and the faithful people of Caterham we shall always be indebted.
Fr Arthur Green
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