Way back in 2003, in Issue 20, Doreen Norton wrote about two of her
families - the Stentifords and the Longs. Doreen told how her Great
Grandmother, who had lived in the Workhouse as a child, met and married
her Great grandfather, George Long, and settled down in the village of
Chawleigh to raise their family. Doreen's own ancestry is traced through
the second child of Ellen and George - Elizabeth Ann - who in turn
married into the Parkhouse family - another name well-known to everyone
who comes from that part of Devon.
Over the years, Doreen has spent much time iu Chawleigh and made
friends there so that she came to feel very much at home whenever she
visited. She decided in 2005 to make a kneeler in memory of her
grandmother for the parish church of
St. James. The design was to incorporate the Stentiford and Long names,
together with her initials.
She also included the bell emblem with which the church is
identified. The tower contains a peal of six fine bells and as early as
1553 had four bells. The bells are still rung regularly and the church
has been the venue for bell - ringing contests in the area.
When at last it was complete, Doreen and Reg travelled down to Devon
for the presentation after morning service one Sunday in June last year.
The Vicar accepted the gift on behalf of the Church and invited them to
lunch afterwards.
Doreen's handiwork now has pride of place in the front pew just below
the pulpit - and she has the satisfaction of knowing that she has left
a permanent reminder of her family history - and herself - in Chawleigh,
for many years to come.
