As part of the Newdigate Arts Festival the Society staged two mini plays and a series of sketches.
15th October 2016
THE ANGELS OF ST PETER’S written and produced by John Callcut
This is a short sketch set in Newdigate in August 1916 and October 1920.
The characters are :
Mrs. Ellen Janson, played by Tina Callcut
Rev. Henry G. Bird, played by Martin Gilpin
William Broughton, played by Sam Robinson
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Mrs. Janson (1848-1941) lived at Newdigate Place. The screen was erected to the memory of her first husband, George Oliver Mellick Herron. The Keys of St.Peter by the entrance door was worked by her. The window in the north aisle depicting Jesus in the carpenter’s shop is to her memory, and the window in the south aisle commemorates her two sons, Walter and Kenneth.
The Rev, Henry G. Bird M.A. (1846-1925) came to Newdigate from Hillingdon shortly after his wife’s death in 1913. He was a kindly man and the First World War was a heart-rending time for him as he lived alone in the rectory. His two daughters were often away doing war work. His son, Wilfred – who was a school teacher and played cricket for the MCC – was killed in 1915, and another son was in an asylum. He worked tirelessly for the village and his ‘dear friends’ as he called the parishioners. He retired in 1921 to the Cotswolds and died in 1925.
William Edward V. Broughton (1897-1969) lived all his life at Kingsland. After the First World War he ran a business from home, buying, selling and repairing cycles.
The carving class was started by Mrs Janson in about 1902 and continued until 1929. The carvers worked in a room above the stables at Newdigate Place, which was one of the few places to have electric light at that time. In 1914 they exhibited at the Royal Albert Hall, and Queen Alexandra purchased one of their picture frames. Evidence of their high standard of work can be seen around the church, and full details can be found in Jane Lilley’s book entitled “The Wood-Carvings of St. Peter’s Church, Newdigate’.
Two clips from the playlet:
LEAVING A MARK written and produced by Tina Callcut
CAST
Crusader – Sam Robinson
Boy Crusader – Rowan Agarwal
On the column as you enter the church there are some ancient incised crosses. This is a story about a crusader leaving Newdigate with his son for the Holy Lands in 1200 AD. He returns but his son dies.
This clip covers the narrative. It is dark because the whole reading was done by candlelight.
In addition a series of light hearted sketches were staged:
