Gifts
From time to time, pilgrims contact us to make a substantial donation – often in memory of a relation or a friend. They usually ask if there any specific item or project that their gift can be associated with. The following are examples from the past ten years which have benefited the Shrine considerably.
Margaret Withers (former Church of England Children’s Officer) wished to make a considerable donation as a celebration of her work and of her retirement. Margaret has often worked with the Shrine’s own Education Department on the musical front – she is an able organist and keyboard player – and she wished her gift to enhance the musical life of the Shrine. The Barn Chapel now has a splendid two-manual organ (designed for us by Bradford Organ Associates) which we hope will enhance the worship of pilgrimage groups using that lovely building. A small plaque on the side of the instrument records Margaret’s wonderful gift.
Pauline Smith from Sunderland recently decided to make a donation in memory of her late mother, Vera Sanderson (who had been devoted to Walsingham all her life.) Pauline didn’t mind what the money put to, but hoped there would be room for a small dedication. After consultation with Fr Philip it was decided to restore the very windswept and rain-sodden – but still lovely – statue of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs. She stands in a niche on the outside wall of the Shrine Church close to the Sacristy door, partly sheltered by the laurel tree which grows out from the walls. When the statue returns, a small plaque will record Pauline’s and Vera’s generosity.
The Sisters of St Mary at the Cross Convent, Edgware – regular pilgrims with the disabled to the Shrine – have, in addition to supporting the Appeal, generously offered to restore the statue of St Thérèse. She has a niche in a corner of the Pond Garden and every pilgrim on procession passes her – twice. St Thérèse will also look splendid when she returns and we are very grateful to the Edgware sisters for suggesting this project to us.
Aidan Hargreaves-Smith made a substantial donation in memory of his late mother. This coincided with the urgent need to repair the set of vestments commissioned by Fr Patten in the 1930 and subsequently only used on the grandest of occasions. The richly-embroidered vestments have been beautifully restored by the Norwich Cathedral Guild of Embroiderers and were worn for the Assumption Mass 2017.
If you would further information about gifts in memory of someone or as a thanksgiving please contact the Membership Department at the Shrine Tel: 01328 820582; email membs@olw-shrine.org.uk
FATHER KENNETH BRADSHAW was born in Croydon on 29 June 1923. He had a lifelong interest in scouting, both as a boy and as a leader which he continued in retirement as a member of the Scout Fellowship in Cardiff.
He trained in accountancy but was called up in the war and served in the tank regiment. It was while he was in the war that his vocation to the priesthood became clear and he eventually went to Rochester Theological College. He was ordained in Southwark diocese but served most of his ministry in the diocese of Chichester. On reaching the age of 65 in 1988 he retired from the post of Priest in Charge of the Sussex parish of All Saints, Sidley and went to live in Cardiff as Honorary Assistant Curate of Roath St Saviour where he continued to exercise an active and loving ministry. He was a very private person and his last remaining relative, a sister, died about 18 months before he did.
His association with Walsingham was brief. For his 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on 9 June 2003 the parish paid for him to go on the Llandaff Diocesan Pilgrimage which he found a wonderful experience and he then went every year with a small group from the neighbouring parish. At Easter 2007 his health began to fail and he was eventually admitted to hospital where he died, fortified by the rites of the Holy Church, on 1st October, 2007. His ashes were buried with his parents and sister in Lancing. In his will he left the bulk of his estate to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Joyce Bampton discovered Walsingham when on a day trip to the RC Shrine in 1994 with her future husband, Terry Robinson. With time to spare they decided to walk the ‘Holy Mile’ and so discovered the Anglican Shrine. An Anglican herself, Joyce immediately fell in love with the church and the gardens. Subsequently, Terry and Joyce visited on average twice a year and made many friends in Walsingham. In September 1997 , they were married in the Church of the Annunciation in the Friday Market (Terry was RC). Sadly, Terry died in May 2000, but Joyce continued her twice yearly visits to the Shrine and was a regular attender at the Pilgrimage of Healing and Renewal. Walsingham, she said “was like home.” Her favourite place was the Holy House where she could enjoy peace and tranquillity. Joyce always said that she felt a presence there.
The Shrine is grateful for a generous legacy from the Joyce's estate.
It is appropriate that the Shrine should record its gratitude to all those former pilgrims whose legacies have recently been received – The Revd Maurice King, Glenys Edwards and Joan Wardill.
These stones that have echoed their praise are holy,
And dear is the ground where their feet have once trod;
Yet here they confessed they were strangers and pilgrims,
And still they were seeking the city of God.
Click here for a copy (PDF) of the Shrine's Legacy Leaflet. This contains recommended wording for will-making.
If you would like further information about Donations, Gifts and Legacies or any of the special projects, please contact Keith Tuck at The Milner Wing, The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Common Place, Walsingham, NR22 6BP (tel. 01328 820582; email membs@olw-shrine.org.uk)