Over one hundred parishioners from Great Waldingfield and Acton gathered today in Acton Village Hall to say farewell to the Vicar and his wife, John and Jill Fieldgate who are leaving the village for retirement by the sea in West Mersea.
I am certainly sorry to see John and Jill leave and I know that this sentiment is shared by all. I have met John quite often over the past two years in the course of my perambulations around the Ward and I know that the wellbeing of all of the people in both Parishes, whether churchgoers or not, has constantly been at the forefront of his mind. John always seemed to give people and situations the benefit of the doubt and this spirit of optimism was always very refreshing.
The lunch was a very happy occasion, brilliantly organised. A fantastic spread was provided and it was great to see so many familiar faces all together in Acton’s excellent (relatively) new village hall.
Many people had contributed towards a gift for John and Jill. In addition to some lovely flowers, and other gifts, they took delivery of a Jasper Conran Breakfast set which they had indicated would be useful in their new home.
There will now be an interregnum which could last some months until more permanent pastoral arrangements are made for Great Waldingfield and Acton.
