Welcome to this year’s Newsletter. 2011 will see the twentieth anniversary of our charity and it is good to report that it is still very active in supporting St James Mission, a very special place which itself continues to thrive despite all the difficulties encountered in Zimbabwe. Centred on the church (designed by the world famous Portuguese architect Amancia Guedes) the Mission comprises the three schools covering toddlers to sixth form, a clinic serving school and local community, a workers’ settlement, a workshop, a bakery, a garden and the daughter church of St Clare at Dlula, a village seven miles away.
Some Goodbyes
Sadly the Babygrow Project at St Luke’s Church, Brislington, Bristol has finished. The fund gave many thousands of pounds to the clinic and feeding fund, but leaves a lasting legacy in the clinic which was rebuilt in the late 1990s, funded by Babygrow. Our thanks to Mike and Lesley Coppin for all their efforts especially with the ‘Any Money’ Appeal. Some Babygrow supporters have transferred their giving to FSJMS, so thank you for this.
One of our members, Alison Rudd, passed away earlier this year. For many years she was the Babygrow link at the Anglican Cathedral in Bulawayo, but on leaving for this country gave her support to us along with raising funds for other Zimbabwe projects.
Our sympathy to Paul Bradley on the death of Margaret in October. Donations at her funeral were for St James and we received over £1,300. Thank you, Paul, for organising this. Jane Campbell writes:
Sarah Spencer (Carter) and I first met Margaret and Paul Bradley at Christmas time 1985. They became good friends of St James. Margaret was so good and kind to any of the ‘overseas teachers’, offering us beds for a weekend or even longer times during the holidays, even including visiting friends and other members of the family. Paul was great in helping to keep the school transport running safely when new tyres almost disappeared from the market. Margaret continued her interest in the Friends of St James and attended many AGMs. We will continue to remember her with gratitude and affection.
