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Mrs Sarah Lundstrom - Parish Secretary |
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Miss Marilyn Goldsbrough
- Church Warden and Events Co-ordinator |
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I was born in Plymouth and educated in the old Stoke Damerel Primary School and Devonport High School for Girls. After leaving school I worked in insurance for 10 years before having a complete change of direction and training as a veterinary nurse. I still work as a veterinary nurse, where my main interest is dentistry. I have lived in Plymouth all my life, apart from a spell in Gibraltar during the 90s where I joined the King’s Chapel military choir and became interested in choral singing. I am now a long-standing member of the choir at Stoke Damerel Church. When not working, I enjoy walking, gardening, embroidery, and crime and historical novels. I am married with two grown-up children. |
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I’m Marilyn. I’m proud to be a Plymothian, even though I was born outside the city at Flete, Modbury, in Lord Mildmay’s stately home which was requisitioned during and after WW2 as a maternity hospital. After living in Newton Ferrers my family moved to the Exeter area and I went to school in Topsham and Exmouth. I trained as a secretary in Exeter then spent 6 months in France as an au pair. On returning home, I worked for the Tupperware Company for several years, during which time I became a Sunday School teacher at St. Margaret’s Church and also taught conversational French at evening classes. This inspired me to train as a teacher at Rolle College, specialising in French. I taught in four primary schools in Plymouth and worked for three years in Germany with the British Forces Education Service. During my teaching career, I was fortunate enough to have been seconded twice by the local authority to study for a B.Phil, followed by an M.Phil at Exeter University. I can hardly believe that I retired almost 20 years ago! How time flies! I have lived in Stoke since 1975, and been attending Stoke Damerel Church for about 16 years now. I have been a church warden for quite a few years now and am a firm believer that our church family can make a positive difference in the community. I am Chairman of the Plymouth Brest Twinning Panel, and belong to the WI and Tangent. I love travelling, entertaining, the arts, reading, my two pet cats, singing in choirs and organising fund raising events for church ranging from concerts to craft fairs. I think 2021 will be a very busy year for us once we have the pandemic under control. Watch this space! |
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Mr John Steere - Safeguarding and Choir Organiser |
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Miss Ruth Sayers - Worker in the Community
- Church Missionary Society |
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I grew up in post-second world war bomb-damaged Devonport and, aged 11, moved with my family to Stoke where I joined the church choir and have never left. Choirboys are often drafted into the tower to ring the bells, and I am also a member of the band there. At school I discovered an aptitude for languages which led to an exchange programme with a French friend, a succession of summers in France in my formative adolescent years, decades-long friendships there, and a career teaching the language. My time qualifying at Exeter University was interspersed with caving most weekends – great socially, but maybe not academically! Mid-life led to a career change to re-qualify as a school counsellor at Plymouth and Reading Universities, then a move from Education into the NHS and work in a drug and alcohol misuse agency, before retiring some years ago. A constant through all those changes has been marriage to a fellow-member of the choir, and now two daughters, and four young adult grandchildren. |
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My name is Ruth and I have been working in the area of Plymouth for nearly 6 years. After returning from placements overseas (Egypt, Bethlehem and Jordan), CMS supported a UK placement in Plymouth. Currently I am working with the local churches in the area of Stoke and Devonport. One of the activities I am involved in is a club for the unemployed. Devonport Work Club has continued to support the unemployed in our area of high deprivation and unemployment. Essential support is offered regarding the benefit system, CV’s etc and most of all a safe place where people can have social support and friendship. I am also Chair of Governors of a local school and part of the Chaplaincy Team at City College. With the help of CMS and some private teaching, I am self-supporting currently for 3 days a week.
Contact details: ruthmsayers@gmail.com |
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Tony Barnard - Stoke Damerel Historian |
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Mrs Pam Anson and Mrs Julia Steere - Flower Team |
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Born in Birmingham, Tony joined a local church-based cub pack at the age of 10. Continued membership depended on monthly Sunday attendance at the 11.00am service. The church was Anglo-Catholic, with plenty of incense at services. He was confirmed a year after joining the cubs, by Bishop George Sinker, Provost of Birmingham Cathedral. Tony eventually ran the cub pack for a short period before moving to Plymouth to study at the School of Architecture. Since moving to Stoke, over forty years ago, he has been a regular worshipper at Stoke Damerel. He has served as secretary to the Parochial Church Council and as one of the churchwardens. Prior to retirement Tony was an Architectural Technician. Always interested in old buildings he was involved in restoring historic buildings around the south-west, including many listed churches. Fascination with local history led to the monthly ‘From the Archives’ articles in the parish magazine. |
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I came to live and worship in the parish over sixty years ago and joined the very active Young Wives' Group. Having always had a love of flowers I was delighted to become involved with the Flower Festivals held in the church.
I later worked together with Julia's mum, ensuring that there
were always fresh flowers in our pedestals. It gives me pleasure to bring some of God's creation into his house for all to enjoy, and Julia and I would happily welcome others to come and join us.
Pam
Flowers were always part of my home and in church as I grew up. At home they would either be in a vase, maybe just a small simple arrangement, or there would be bunches in the porch by the front door ready to go to church, probably as it was my Mum's turn to supply and arrange the altar flowers that weekend. Now, fifty years later, I have become involved with Pam to make sure there are always fresh flowers in church - following in my mother's footsteps, I suppose!
Julia
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John Mitchelmore - Captain of the Tower |
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Mrs Christina Richardson
- Stewardship Co-ordinator |
I learnt to ring at Whitchurch in 1960 and I became a member of Stoke Damerel ringers when I moved to Plymouth in 1970. I have been tower captain since 2016 and have been captain on several previous occasions. I am a member of the Guild of Devonshire ringers and have been so for 58 years. I have rung 150 peals and numerous quarter peals. My hobbies are running and walking the south west coast and Dartmoor with its beautiful scenery.
Contact details; jandjmitchelmore@aol.com. Mob : 07800921538
Ringing Details ; Sunday 9.30 am, Practice: Wednesday 7.15 -8.45pm. |
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My name is Christina Richardson and I co ordinate the monetary giving in church. The majority of giving is regular via the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). This is a scheme whereby the donation is given by monthly or three monthly direct debit and is co ordinated by the Diocese. Information on the PGS can be found at www.parishgiving.org.uk . It is still possible to give cash or cheques via the plate in church and by using the white envelopes if the donation is eligible for gift aid. I am happy to answer any queries and assist with accessing the PGS.
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Mrs Debbie Smith - Parish Treasurer |
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Born and bred in Plymouth, I joined Stoke Damerel Church 28 years ago when we moved to the Stoke area of Plymouth. I became involved with the Church finances in 1995 and have been treasurer on and off since then and currently hold that position. Always welcome to hand over the reins of the treasurer role to any willing and able participant.
I work at City College Plymouth but last year reduced to part time hours to enable me to do other things in life.
I enjoy cycling, walking the moors/coastal path, listening to live music and visiting the pub.
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Vacant - Electoral Roll |
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Who can be on the Electoral Roll?
Baptised adults (over 16 years) who live in the parish, or who have worshipped regularly at Stoke Damerel for at least six months and are committed to being part of the life of the local Church of England congregation.
Why Join?
Enrolment is a way of saying....“I belong”.
For us it is an act of commitment to Stoke Damerel and the church as a whole. |
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