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of the history
of the
POWDITCH FAMILY
from c1196 onwards
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Morston Church
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DAY 1
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DAY 1
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DAY 2
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DAY 2
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DAY 3
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DAY 3
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Saturday 18 September 2004
(Coach Trip to Wells-next-the-Sea)
Saturday morning everyone arrived early at The Anchor, where the coach
awaited us. Once on board, we headed for Wells-next-the-Sea, the sun
streaming in through the windows. At Wells, I went over to the office on the
quay, and asked for Mr Bobby Smith, the Harbourmaster, only to discover
that that was to whom I was speaking. With instructions for the Powditch’s to
come around to the room at the back of the office - which turned out to be
where the old Wells Museum had been located, I managed to get everyone
safely across the road and quayside and into the room, where we were
invited to have a seat (where possible) and to have a look around for a few
minutes.
Bobby Smith soon joined us, and then he proceeded to talk to us about the
Wells that our Powditch forbears would have known during the 1700s to
1980s period when they lived in the town and were involved in local shipping
and fishing. Later, we all went outside and stood in the bright sunlight and
listened to the continuing story, interspersed with other very interesting tales,
before he led us to the wharf side of the quay and much more information.
Not only was his talk very interesting, but afterwards, two local historians
from the Wells History Group, who had accompanied us on the morning’s
expedition, were heard to comment on what a wonderful speaker he was,
and how they hoped that they might be able to entice him to give a talk to
their Group at a later date!
After Bobby Smith had said farewell to us all, the Powditch’s - most of
whom had never visited Wells-next-the-Sea before, despite it having been
the home for many of their ancestors, took the opportunity to walk around the
town, its shops, alleyways, Church and beach. Patricia and Peter Powditch
from Adelaide had been to the town once before, a few years ago, when
they accompanied me to see the family property in Staithe Street where
Peter’s 2 x Great Grandfather had housed himself, his wife and their
10 children, behind and above the shop where he operated as a Shoemaker.
Today the same property fronts a Chemist shop, the sales area belying the
overall depth of the building.
Later, back on the coach, heading back to Morston, everyone was thrilled,
not only with the excellent talk we’d heard, but also with the time spent in and
around Wells. For many, that Staithe Street as well as several other nearby
streets had changed little (externally) over the years, was a real bonus, even
though many of the little side alleys, of the 1800s and before, had been
swept away during clearances etc in the 1950s. Fortunately several older
inhabitants from the area remember what the area looked like, whilst others
remember the various occupants of the cottages etc. In other instances,
many photographs exist to show not only what the town looked like years
ago, but also which highlight individuals and their occupations (a topic to
explore at our next Gathering?)
Back at Morston, and with another “Comfort hour” available, the family
members returned to their hotels, guest houses etc, before returning, all
ready for the afternoon’s proceedings.
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Staithe Street (top end)
The green-fronted shop with the blue window above it, was where Samuel Powditch together with his wife, Amelia (nee Hall)
and their 10 children lived from c.1829-1849.
Samuel was a Shoemaker.
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(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Harbourmaster's Office
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Harbourmaster's Office
from the Quay
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Fishing Boat
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Quayside Wharehouse
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Wells Quayside
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Staithe Street
(Quay end)
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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Staithe Street
(top end)
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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John C. Algar with
Bishop of Norwich
(Photo © John Peake)
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Chatting at the Buffet
(Photo © John Peake)
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Chatting at the Buffet
(Photo © John Peake)
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Chatting at the Buffet
(Photo © John Peake)
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After the Buffet
(Photo © John Peake)
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Speech by Dominick Harrod
(Photo © John Peake)
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Buffet Lunch
(at Morston Village Hall)
At 1.00pm, members of the Powditch family came face to face with all of those
who had been involved as ‘back-room boys and girls’ for the weekend, and
who, each in their own way, had contributed to what was fast becoming a most
successful event. As well as those who had been involved in various ways,
others who were present at the Welcoming Buffet Lunch for the Powditch
Family, were The Rt Revd Graham James, The Bishop of Norwich, together
with his Chaplain, the Vicar of Morston, members of Morston’s PCC and
Friends, Dr John Alban, County Archivist at N.R.O., John and Pam Peake of
Blakeney History Centre, the eminent Calligrapher Ken Bartlett, Simon Harris,
the author of “Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Stuart Admiral” (Spellmount,
Staplehurst, 2001), together with many associated and honoured guests.
At the conclusion of the Lunch, which had been accompanied by excellent
company, wonderful food, and much laughter and chatter, a number of
speeches were made. Several presentations were also made, including one
of two books by local author Marryat, to Ken Bartlett, Calligrapher of both the
Powditch Memorial as well as the Pedigree of the Powditch family; and
a framed map and history of the origin of the Powditch name, to Dominick
Harrod, Chairman of Friends of Morston Church. Afterwards, everyone took
their leave from the Village Hall, and whilst a few made their way to The Manor
House, the rest went directly to All Saints’ Church.
(Interior of All Saints Church, Morston. Photo © Pat Powditch 2004)
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a
The
Right Revd
Graham James,
The Bishop of Norwich
(Photo © John Peake)
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Special Service of Thanksgiving
and Unveiling of Powditch Memorial
(at All Saints Church, Morston)
Just after 2.50pm, some 32 people, exited
The Manor House, Morston,
and with the aid of local villagers who managed to
halt the one vehicle travelling along The Street at that time,
they all crossed the main road.
The procession, led by the18 members of the
St. Andrew’s Singers,
plus Mrs Hope Todd (Vice-Chairman PCC),
Dominick Harrod and Jocelyn Wingfield (F. M. C),
Angela Algar (Reader), Carol Stone (Wreath-layer),
Alan Powditch (Unveiler), Maureen Johnston (Reader),
and Patricia and Peter Powditch (Prayer readers),
were followed by
The Revd Giles Hunt,
Morston’s Church Wardens,
The Right Revd Graham James, The Bishop of Norwich,
and The Revd David Hart, The Bishop’s Chaplain,
who all walked up the gravelled pathway to the
porch entrance, their cloaks swirling in the strong wind that had developed since the morning.
Watching and filming the occasion, was an interviewer complete with cameraman from BBC Norfolk TV (Look East), who earlier had been inside the Church, filming
Powditch’s and others looking at the framed 5 foot x 4 foot commissioned Powditch Pedigree,
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Powditch Pedigree, after the wreath had been laid
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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and undertaking
interviews with individuals, two of whom represented the Chilean branch of the family.
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Upon the Choir entering the Church, they began to sing
(along with the '175-strong' congregation) the Processional Hymn,
“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”, as they walked past the medieval stone font
towards the Choir stalls; the rest of the procession following them down the aisle.
With the last person inside the Church, and just as the large wooden door swung
behind them, there was a terrible deluge of rain, the noise of which rattled noisily
on the roof, almost drowning the excellent singing.
Powditch Congregation
(Photo © John Peake)
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To view the full Order of Service, please click
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By the time the singing had finished, all members of the procession were in their various places. The Service, which was designated as “A Service of Celebration & Thanksgiving and Unveiling of a Commemorative Powditch Memorial”, then commenced with The Welcome and Introduction by the Revd Giles Hunt, following which the St. Andrew’s Singers enthralled everyone with their rendition of Mozart’s "Laudate Dominum".
The First Lesson, which was so ably read by Dominick Harrod, was taken from Genesis 1, verses 24-31, and this, in turn, was followed by the Offertory Hymn of “Eternal Father, strong to save”.
The Second Lesson, was from Ephesians 3, verses 14 to the end, and was eloquently delivered by Angela Algar (Angela’s mother, is Phyllis Smith nee Powditch, who is now aged 95 years old, but unfortunately was unable to travel to the Gathering).
After the Second Lesson, the St.Andrew's Singers sang the Anthem; Sanctus, from Faure’s Requiem, following which, the Lord's Prayer and the General Thanksgiving were said by The Revd David Hart, The Bishop’s Chaplain, and in turn, they were followed by ‘The Address’ by The Bishop of Norwich.
The Bishop's Address turned out to be most poignant as he continually referred to the subject of ‘family’, of history and of the influence of both on the Powditch's who had lived in Morston some 250 years ago, as well as on all families today. Mention was also made regarding the words of the Powditch Prayer, and how important it was to remember loved ones as well as to carefully listen to others, and we were invited into his own personal world, to experience the love, and understand how important it was for all. Afterwards, everyone sang the third Hymn, “Jesus, where’er thy people meet”.
At the end of the third verse,
Joc Wingfield led Carol Stone (Wreath-layer), Pat and Peter Powditch (Prayer-readers), Maureen Johnston (Memorial reader), Alan Powditch (Memorial unveiler) and Angela Algar out of the pews, to stand alongside the Powditch Pedigree,
ready for the next part of the Service.
Although much had been happening, no-one noticed the time that was being taken for all parts of the Service, for not only was every moment of great interest, but they were something to treasure, to hand down to descendants and to recount to families back home. It was therefore with great excitement that the next phase of the Ceremony took place, as The Bishop was led by one of the Church Wardens to face the south-east wall, where the Powditch Memorial, especially commissioned for the occasion, was covered by a draped curtain. Already present and standing adjacent to the wall, were several members of the Powditch family, all ready to play their part, all well-rehearsed by Joc Wingfield, during the previous afternoon.
Wreath-layer,
Prayer-readers and
2nd Reading reader
(Photo © John Peake)
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With everyone in position, the Bishop was led by a Church Warden to
face the south-east wall of the nave.
Alan Powditch - who represented the Welsh branch of the family - then gently pulled the sash to release the curtain and unveil the Memorial, which had been so lovingly crafted by the Calligrapher, Ken Bartlett, who hailed from nearby Langham.
Maureen Johnston then
clearly read out the
text of the
Memorial.
Maureen flew over
from
Hamilton, New Zealand
especially for the
Powditch Gathering,
and she represented
all of the descendants
from the
William Powditch
who
settled in New Zealand
in the 1830s.
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(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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After the reading, Carol Stone -
who now lives in Northamptonshire,
and who represented the Suffolk
branch of the family - carefully laid a lovely wreath on the floor below the Powditch Memorial.
Carol's Father and Mother - who both
died only a couple of years ago - had
lived in Suffolk for many years, as had
their ancestors for a few generations
before them.
As a special token of love, Carol wore
on her lapel a photograph of her late
Father, Arthur William James Powditch,
who several years ago with his wife, Adele, had visited
All Saints Church , and signed the Visitors' Book.
(Photo © John Peake)
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After the Powditch Memorial had been unveiled, and with everyone looking on, The Bishop then blessed the Memorial, and before everyone returned to their seats, Patricia and Peter Powditch, who live in Adelaide, and who represented the large number of Powditch’s in Australia, took it in turns to read the Powditch Family Prayer, which had been especially composed for the Service.
Following the reading, everyone returned to their seats.
(Photo © John Peake)
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In his 'Prayers and Blessings', The Bishop made reference to the words within the Powditch Prayer, and invited all to reflect on both the words and sentiments it contained.
Before closing, the Choir sang that beautiful and haunting refrain by Rutter, “The Lord bless you and keep you”, in turn succeeded by the rousing Recessional Hymn of “Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven”, which was sung with great feeling by the congregation.
Still singing, the Choir preceded the Bishop and his entourage, through the Church,
passing the font once again, and then led them outside, into the churchyard, into what was by now, a sunny, but windy, late Saturday afternoon.
(Photo © Pat Powditch)
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With beautiful wreaths already laid on the two Powditch graves in the churchyard,
The Bishop was interested to know more about the family, although with the number
of living Powditch’s and local parishioners wanting to not only speak to him, but
also to be photographed with him, the ‘history lesson’ had to be postponed.
Staying until called for by his ‘Chauffeur’ (the Bishop’s Chaplain) The Bishop
endeared himself to all who came into his company, and with whom he entered into
conversations, and well earned the praise that was heaped on him that day for being
so friendly and approachable.
The Service over, and with the rest of the afternoon and evening ‘free’ for family
members to spend the time as they wished, some stayed in the area and were
entertained by villagers, whilst others returned to their hotels etc, promising to return
to Morston in the evening, and enjoy another fantastic meal at The Anchor
(which in the end was what they actually did).
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DAY 1
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DAY 1
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DAY 2
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DAY 2
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DAY 3
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DAY 3
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of the history
of the
POWDITCH FAMILY
from c1196 onwards
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