Looking back... Rev wanted to reach out

Over 1,300 families were claiming membership of the church at the time.

The rector, Rev Brian Courtney, said that while he would like to be able to visit every home during 1983, he knew it would not be possible.

He said the priority of the clergy of the parish would be visiting parishioners who were in hospital, those who were ill at home, the bereaved, the elderly, the infirm or those in any kind of need.

He was calling on the help of the congregation to tell him about anyone who should be visited, because in a parish of its size, it would be easy to neglect to call on someone.