Page 8 - link magazine

8 SHAW
Vicar moves on Children turn into toys
Rev. Kieth Boxall will beleavingHoly Trinity Church, Shaw in January, to become
the Vicar of St James' Church, Mangotsfield in Bristol. Colleague John Flory Youngsters at Jellytots playgroup, which meets at Shaw Community
writes an appreciation. Centre, rehearsed for six weeks to put on a twenty minute play for parents
. i)flrfl1.$
fls, in December.
The year was 1985 and I had just The play, written by playgroup supervisor Gffly Betts, told the story of
finished showing round the third a Magic Toyshop where all the toys come to life and have a party
clergy couple I was hoping to inter- Pictured beloware three ofthe seventeen children who took part, AinyJones,Emma
est in becoming the new Vicar of Cowdrey and Maxine Bell
Shaw. I pointed out the proposed
vicarage, the wayside chapel with
its congregation of 6, the first houses
of Ramleaze receiving their roofs,
and had enthused about the possi-
bilities. But they had very politely
and firmly declined the challenge!
Not so, Keith and Shirley Boxall. I
was relieved but not altogether sur-
prised. A reputation for getting
things done had gone before him.
Eighteen years with British Aero-
space at Weybridge took him to
quality control inspector. In the life
of his local Church, he served many in the new Shaw ministry, and they
years on the Church Council and as managed to workout a creative and
a churchwarden. complimentary relationship.
After training for ordination at Keith threw himself into the de-
Trinity College, Bristol, Keith served sign and construction of the church
his title at St Peter's, Staines, and for the village centre. Striding
something of that patron Saint's through the footings, pouring over A Christmas present from Shaw
character rubbed off on him. It plans, finding ways through prob-
wasn't long before people became lems, he still found time to be a Chris Clarke of Show Church reports on 1:2000 cost of the bike. There has
aware of this large, impulsive, hard- pastor to everyone on site. their support for a friend from Africa been a sponsored ride along the
working and generous-hearted Only 7 years have passed since In 1991, the Reverend Raphael Ridgeway, gifts, collections and
cleric in their midst. In complete those early days. Shaw village is Mwitta was looking forward to fin- events until only the last 00 is
contrast, but with her own brand of both a flesh-and-blood and bricks- ishing his college course in Bristol outstanding.
fire, Helen Drummond came to share and-mortar community. He would and returning to his parish in Tan- In the meantime Raphael had to
be the first to say that many other zania. During his time in England wait for many weeks for the ship to
dedicated folk have laboured with he had visited Holy Trinity Church arrive, the bike to be off loaded and
him over those years to help to give in Shaw and described his life in then for the various bureaucratic
JIWA
-- impressons it a soul as well - but in leadership Africa, talking, among other things, hurdles of taxing the bike to be over-
there are plenty of lonely moments of drought, illness resulting from come. The final arrival of The Bike
when the load seems onerous. polluted water, AIDS and lack of was shown in photographs sent back
To his credit, he leaves behind a financial resources. to Shaw with thanks, which show
['Beauty 'Therapy firmly established new church with the effort has been well worthwhile.
in 9ZcL14i Treatment fRpom a membership approaching 100 and He tells us he is now able to cover
a building which is host to a wide his parish much more easily.
Tu[[range of 'Beauty range of community groups. Keith
is not too big to be missed! His many
Treatments and ShawWl
friends in West Swindon will miss
Aroma therapy Massage the first family at Shaw Vicarage a Kay Twyman writes:
great deal when they go, but have We had a very pleasant evening at
Teresa.Yayne 9o[ui many reasons to be thankful for all our November meeting. Freda Fos-
9-[I'BC. City ani1Quil they have done here. terwas our spea ker and she brought
We wish them well in their new along a selection of books for all
T1• (0793) 870192 ministry. I don't think I will warn ages, to give us ideas for Christmas
Mangotsfield about what's coming! presents. Freda read us excerpts
froma number of books -children's,
Raphael Mwitta and his motorbike
poetry, biography, humorous, all of
The difference between his expe-xpe which we enjoyed. The books were
rience
THE KITCHEN FITTER rience and ours is enormous and on sale too, so our members went
one point that made a deep impres- home with quite a few prezzies!
sion was his need to move around We have a change of venue for
Kitchen supply and/or his huge area, spending hours on future meetings - well be in the
trips to the next church service or Sunshine Hall at Westlea School.
installation service village, carrying an old push bike Our first meeting of 1993 will be on
over muddy unsurfaced roads as 18 January at 7.30pm, when we'llbe
* Professional installation
often as it carried him. In December hearing all about Denman College
service 1991 the Church at Shaw decided in Abingdon, what it has to offer,
that their Christmas gift to Raphael what facilities are provided and the
* Sensible prices
would be to promise to provide him courses available. It should be a
* Worktop mitering service with some motorised transport fit very interesting evening. We love
for the African terrain. seeing new faces, why not join us? It
For a reliable, efficient service
A trail bike was purchased and doesn't matter where you live, just
sent on the next available transport come along to Westlea School
TEL: (0793) 870790 ship. During 1992 the Church has Any enquiries please call Kay
been raising money to repay the Twyman on 871614.