82 Saturday April 9 2022 | the times
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Taking a refugee
into my own home
taught me how to
love my neighbour
on holiday. A bolt of fear
woke me at 2.30am. What
have we just done? Are my
kids okay? I crept out of bed
and checked on my son and
daughter. They were fast
asleep. Silence. The quiet
crying I had heard from the
spare room earlier that night
had stopped. Back in bed I
murmured prayers until I fell
into an uneasy sleep.
Over the next few days we
collected pieces of Maryam’s
story and, like shards of
broken china, we pieced them
together to see her fractured
picture of terror and
desperation. As Christians in
the UK we have experienced
relatively little persecution
for our faith, and we felt
honoured to open our home
to someone who had suffered
so much for theirs.
Over the next few months,
we discovered the
complexities of the UK
asylum seeker process, more
difficult to navigate than I
could ever have imagined.
Despite our constant help
with forms and phone calls,
papers and procedure, it felt
like Maryam was losing all
the time. But, as I joined her
in her fight for refugee status,
she joined me in my fight
against depression. As we
each went through a dark
night of the soul, we forged a
sisterhood, we laughed and
cried, we shared and prayed
together, and in the darkness
we discovered a new level of
bravery to face the world.
Maryam taught me what it
meant to love my neighbour
as myself. Sometimes that
meant giving her my best face
cream and clothes and
sometimes it meant allowing
her to help me on a busy day,
and cook supper when I was
tired. I came to realise that
truly loving my neighbour
meant more than me
bountifully bestowing
hospitality, but rather being
vulnerable and allowing them
to love me back.
We had both grown up in
vastly different cultures and
our life experiences were in
complete contrast, yet we had
a surprising amount in
common. A shared love of
Downton Abbey and Poldark
started a conversation I never
expected to have with a
refugee. I no longer view
refugees as a faceless “other”.
Maryam became grafted into
our household, living with us
for nearly a year before she
was finally joined by her
husband in a joyful reunion.
They are both dearly loved
members of our extended
family, and I will be forever
grateful for the grace of an
extraordinary exchange of
trust between strangers.Susanna Wright is a writer and
film-maker. She is working on a
book, Azizam, about her experience
of taking in a refugee in 2019A
long with Benedict
Cumberbatch,
more than 100,000
British households
have volunteered
to take in refugees from
Ukraine. The very
embodiment of Jesus’s
exhortation to love our
neighbour, surely?
Many, of all faiths and
none, will have seriously
considered what it would be
like to have a traumatised
stranger or family of
strangers in their peaceful
home. What would be the
cost, the danger, the
emotional and physical price
to pay? What would it be like
to help someone at the apex
of their need and to respond
in a practical way to the
global ache for Ukraine?
Perhaps not quite as you
imagine. Having taken in a
refugee myself, I found the
experience to be completely
unexpected. In 2019, I took in
a woman fleeing from
religious persecution in Iran
to live with me and my family.
She was traumatised, she had
left her entire life behind and
I had never met nor heard of
her until the day I took her
home.
Waking on a hot August
morning in London in 2019 I
had no sense of the change
about to sweep through our
lives. It was another Sunday, I
was a vicar’s wife and despite
being tired, I had to find a
way to be present for our
congregation. Our church in
west London was a myriad of
different cultures and
interesting life stories, but I
was drained, wrestling
depression and felt like I had
nothing left to give to anyone.
When I met Maryam that
morning, I listened to her
story as I had done on many
other occasions with
desperate people. I nodded. I
smiled sympathetically. I
prayed. However, something
in me stirred, a prompt from
my heart’s depths, the same
prompt many others have
been feeling recently. I have a
spare room.
When I look back now I
could not have understood
the significance of what I was
about to do. The potential for
danger, the opportunities for
growth, for bravery and,
ultimately, for love.
I took her home, both of us
wide-eyed and apprehensive.
A week earlier Maryam had
been folded into a luggage
compartment of a coach and
smuggled across her
country’s border; that same
week, I had been in CornwallCredo
Susanna
WrightBirths, Marriages and Deaths newsukadvertising.co.uk 6 020 7782 7553
PRAISE the LORD! It is good to sing
praise to our God; it is pleasant and right to
praise him. The LORD is restoring
Jerusalem; he is bringing back the exiles.
He heals the broken-hearted and bandages
their wounds. Psalm 147.1-3 (GNB)
Bible verses are provided by the
Bible Society
Births
BRADING on 3rd April 2022 to Lottie
Hutchinson and Ben, a daughter, Phoebe
Lily.
CAMPBELL on 4th March 2022 to
Georgina (née Rumbellow) and Robbie, a
daughter, Amelia Charlotte.
FRANCKLIN on 30th March 2022 to
Chloe and Henry, a son, Hugh John
Mavourn, brother to Edward.
MCKENZIE/ARCO on 12th February
2022 to Anna Theresa Gräfin v.u.z. Arco-
Zinneberg and Colin McKenzie, a son,
Caspar Riprand Roderick Maria, brother to
Josephine.
WAREING on 6th April 2022 to Sophie
(née French) and William, a son,
Maximillian Rafe William, brother to
Phoebe and Millie.Forthcoming Marriages
MR R. P. WEBB
AND MR O. S. ABLETT
The engagement is announced between
Robert and Owen, who are thrilled to share
this news. Details to be confirmed (big hats
will be required).
MR N. J. H. PAINE
AND MISS M. M. M. CHARLTON
The engagement is announced between
Nicholas, son of Edward and Fiona Paine of
Upper Winchendon, Buckinghamshire, and
Megan, daughter of Simon Charlton of
Dubai and Francine Moore of Dubai.
MR O. M. S. COLVILLE
AND MISS F. L. LANGFORD
The engagement is announced between
Oliver, son of The Hon James and Mrs
Colville of London, and Fleur, daughter of
Mr and Mrs Nicholas Langford of France.
MR T. G. K. COX
AND MISS I. PLASTUN
The engagement is announced between
Thomas, son of Mr Simon and Councillor
Antonia Cox of Hyde Park, London, and
Iryna, daughter of Dr Mariia and Dr Victor
Plastun, of Crimea.
CAPTAIN J. P. DEBBAGE, ROYAL
ENGINEERS
AND CAPTAIN R. J. E. ANDREWS,
ROYAL SIGNALS
The engagement is announced between
James, son of Mr and Mrs William Debbage
of Norfolk, and Rosemary, daughter of Sir
Ian and Lady Andrews of Wimbledon.
CAPTAIN D. H. BAIRSTOW
AND MISS A. R. W. STEWART
The engagement is announced between
Captain David Bairstow, younger son of
Mr and Mrs Roland Bairstow of Cockle
Bay, Auckland, and Anna, daughter of Sir
Simon and Lady Stewart of Chiswick,
London.DR N. G. A. T. HEMBERG
AND MISS J. V. SWORD
The engagement is announced between
Gustaf, younger son of Dr Per and Dr
Elisabeth Hemberg of Haddebo, Sweden,
and Juliet, only daughter of Mr Rupert
Sword OBE and Mrs Jane Sword of Entre
Rios and Buenos Aires, Argentina.Anniversaries
ROSE : GIBSON
In Memorium, a celebration of Pam’s life.
Wednesday 20th April at 2.30pm at St
John’s Church, Smith Square, SW1P 3HA.Deaths
COOPER Christopher Richard Havelock
on 5th April 2022. Much-loved and missed.
Private family funeral. No flowers please
but donations if wished to the Princess
Alice Hospice, Esher.
CRICHTON Simon Patrick died peacefully
at home on 1st April 2022, aged 65. Beloved
husband of Fiona, much-loved father to
Georgina, Edward and Charles, youngest
son of the late Col Richard and Yvonne,
brother to Vesey and Adrian. A service of
thanksgiving will be held at St Thomas’s
Church, Salisbury, SP1 1BA on Friday 22nd
April at 11.30am. Donations if wished to The
Stars Appeal.
FARMER Robin Peter of Millers Cottage,
Charlbury, died suddenly on 15th March
2022, aged 73. A funeral service will be held
at North Oxfordshire Crematorium on
Saturday 7th May at 11am. Inquiries to A L
Sole & Son, Bidston Close, Over Norton,
OX7 5PP. Tel: 01608 644112.
HALESTRAP Garth Revis passed away
peacefully on 27th March 2022, aged 77.
Devoted husband of Valarie, father of Luke,
Oliver and Lucinda and grandfather to 13
grandchildren. Funeral service at Milton
Malsor church, 21st April at noon, followed
by Flore House, NN7.
LOCKWOOD William Robert “Uncle Bill”
of Alderminster, on 28th March 2022,
aged 80. Property shop manager at the
RSC for many years. Funeral details c/o
(01608) 685 274; http://www.rlockeandson.co.ukLODGE PATCH Pauline (née Ware) died
peacefully on 25th March 2022, aged 91.
Beloved wife of the late Ian Lodge Patch,
and mother of Emma, Mark and John.
Thanksgiving service will be at St Barnabas
Church, Kensington on 20th April 2022, at
12.30pm. Family flowers only. All inquiries
to J.H. Kenyon Kensington on 020 3667
8664.
LYONS Johanna “Mydie” (née Lawlor)
died peacefully on 1st April 2022, aged 102.
Born in Baltinglass, Ireland, then lived in
Scotland, Yorkshire and London. Beloved
wife of Basil. Dearly loved mother of David,
Denis and Christopher; grandmother to
Max, Alex, Ali, James and Katy, and great-
grandmother to Ava, Leo, Felix, Max and
Robin. A lively soul to the end, and
beautifully cared for in her final years at
Greville House, Richmond, London.
Donations in lieu of flowers to the Paget’s
Association: https://paget.org.uk/donate
MACNAB Alexander Buchan (Sandy) on
29th March 2022, aged 86. Husband of the
late Ruth, father of Andrew, Alistair and
Helena, grandfather of Madeline,
Alexander, Jack and Toby. The funeral
service will take place at West Suffolk
Crematorium (St Edmund’s Chapel) on
Wednesday 27th April 2022 at noon. All
inquiries to Andrew Bingham Independent
Funeral Service, tel 01449 771666.
Donations, if desired, can be made via the
obituaries page at
http://www.andrewbingham.co.uk
MILLER John Richard Butt of County
Wexford and Wiltshire died on 7th March
2022, aged 71. Memorial service, St
Leonard’s, Semley at 11am Friday 29th April,- Much-loved uncle, friend and brother.
MORGAN Stephanie (née Rosedale) on
30th March 2022, aged 94, secure in the
knowledge that she was loved and
cherished. Wife of the late Captain David
Morgan, Royal Navy, CBE, wonderful
mother of Nicholas, Charlotte and Simon,
loving grandmother of Caroline and
Christopher, James, Lucy and Tom and
Jack and Anna and great-grandmother of
six. Celebratory service at South Harting
Parish Church on Saturday 7th May at
2.30pm.
MUGGLETON The Reverend Major
George died peacefully on 22nd March
2022, aged 96. Devoted husband of Dafné
for 54 years. Loving father to Elizabeth and
Jennifer and grandfather to Helen and
Oliver. He was much-loved and will be so
greatly missed by us all. Respected and
dedicated vicar of Holy Trinity Church,
Selhurst, and later rector of Stisted,
Bradwell and Pattiswick in Essex. He was
one of a kind and touched the lives of all he
met. Funeral on Thursday 14th April at
11.00am at Darlington Crematorium, DL3
8RY. Donations in lieu of flowers can be
made to King’s Foodbank c/o Whitehouse
Funeral Service, W Auckland Rd, Darlington
DL3 9EJ. Rest eternal grant unto him.
ORR Betsy (née Henson) died peacefully
on 22nd March 2022, aged 90. Wife to
Brian, mother to Carol, Jane, William and
Katy, and grandmother to Lily, Josef,
William, Hannah, Frankie and Gracie, she
was dearly loved by us all. Contact
[email protected]POMPHREY Naomi, Elizabeth BSC (Hons)
died suddenly on 19th March 2022. Beloved
daughter of Lieutenant Commander Alex
and Mrs Hazel Pomphrey; sister Tracy;
brother Neil; nieces and nephews. Funeral
Service at 11.30am on 4th May at St Mary’s
Church, Liss; burial in West Liss Cemetery.
Flowers: family. Donations: British Heart
Foundation c/o Co-operative Funeralcare,
Lower Mead, Liss, GU33 7RL.
SEFTON On 22 March, after a short
illness, Patrick, eldest son of the late Mr and
Mrs Harry Sefton of Langland Bay, Gower,
much-loved brother of Victoria, devoted
father of Harry and dear friend. Funeral at
Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond, on 25th
April 2022 at 11.20am. Family flowers only.
Inquiries regarding donations, if desired,
details of the funeral and afterwards, to JH
Kenyon Funeral Directors, 279 Kensington
High Street, W8 6NA.
SHERVINGTON Richard (Dick) Anthony
died peacefully, aged 84, in Addenbrooke’s
Hospital, Cambridge on Monday 28th
March 2022. He was the beloved husband
of Inga, who died in 2017, father to James
and Julia, father-in-law to Stephanie and
Sean, and Pops to Matthew, Harry and
Maximus. Dick was a loving, loyal, hard-
working and gregarious character. His
generous spirit will be greatly missed by all
those whose lives he enriched; his wider
family, friends and colleagues from
Bancroft’s School, the Essex and Royal
Anglian Regiments, Price Waterhouse,
Wolfson College, Cambridge and through
his appointment as a deputy lieutenant of
Essex. The funeral service will take place at
St Mary’s Church, Stansted, CM24 8UB on
Tuesday 19th April at 2.00pm. Family
flowers only please, but donations to
“Royal British Legion” may be made online
using the “In Memory” pages at
http://www.drobinson.co.uk.
STEVENS Anne (née Fielden) on 5th April
2022, aged 96, formerly Lovegrove. Widow
of Brian Stevens, mother of Jonathan,
grandmother of Rowan, Jos and Brooke,
great-grandmother to Noë. Funeral service
to take place at St Ruthen’s, Longden, SY5
8ET on Thursday 14th April at noon. No
flowers but donations if desired to HSBS or
St Ruthen’s. Inquires to Pughs, 01743
344646.
STOBART Christina Teresa died on 30th
March, 2022, at home, aged 83. Dearly
loved sister of Harry, Christopher and
Janet, aunt of Anthony, Dominic, Simon and
Emma and great-aunt of Christopher,
Catherine, William, Stella, Thorfinn,
Elisabeth, Sophia and Gabriella. Funeral at
the church of St Peter and Paul, Long
Compton, Warwickshire, CV36 5JJ on
Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 2.00pm. Family
flowers only. Donations to Cancer Research
UK or to Disasters Emergency Committee
c/o AL Sole & Son, Over Norton, Chipping
Norton, Oxon OX7 5PP.TROTT Doris passed away peacefully on
27th March 2022, aged 90. Loving wife of
the late Tony Trott and loving mother to
Nicholas and Helen. The funeral service will
take place at Waseley Hills Crematorium
and Memorial Gardens on Wednesday 27th
April at 10am, followed by refreshments at
the Coach and Horses Inn, Weatheroak Hill
Brewery, Alvechurch, B48 7EA. Family
flowers only. Donations if desired in
memory of Doris to Acorns Children’s
Hospice Trust. There is no need for sombre
dress. All further inquiries to Co-operative
Funeralcare, 23 High Street, Bromsgrove,
Worc’s B61 8AJ Tel: 01527 833576.
WEBBER John on 31st March 2022, aged- Died peacefully at home surrounded by
family after an incredibly courageous fight
against cancer. A wonderful, devoted and
beloved husband, father and grandfather. A
friend, colleague and mentor to so many
more. Private service with a memorial to
follow in July to celebrate his life, to which
all will be welcome.
WELLER Irene, MBE, died peacefully on
19th March 2022, aged 103, in Bath, after a
long and happy life, with gratitude to God,
Sam and her wonderful family and friends.
Mother of four, grandmother of seven,
great-grandmother of nine. A private family
cremation has been held. Thanksgiving
service at 2pm on Wednesday 11th May in
Bath Abbey. This will be a joyful service, so,
at her request, dark clothes not required;
perhaps something pink. Any donations
gratefully received by Dorothy House
Foundation, with which she was actively
involved for more than 40 years.
In Memoriam - Private
WILLIAM O. PARKINSON died 10th
April 2013. Remembered with love and
affection by his family and friends.In Memoriam - War
IN MEMORIAM Lieutenant William
Frederic Newton, 5th Royal Tank
Regiment, treacherously killed in action at
Ristedt, Germany, by the SS on 9th April
1945, aged 22. Beloved elder son of Katie
and Frederic and brother to Owena and
Cecil. In proud and loving memory, always
remembering your great sacrifice for
peace and freedom.Dinner
CENTRAL LONDON DINNER
PART Y 50ish male dinner guest sought
for dinner party short of one person this
evening (Saturday 9th April) in central
London. 07974 766838.Kensington Palace
8th April, 2022
The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron,
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust, this morning
received Professor John Wallwork
(Chairman of the Board of
Directors) and Mr Stephen Posey
(Chief Executive).Court Circular
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Michael died 9th April 2016.
Former MD, News International.
In loving memory by his family.Trustee Acts
THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF
THE MIDDLE TEMPLE
The following were Called as Masters
of the Bench on Tuesday 5 April 2022,
at a ceremony at Middle Temple: Sir
Elliott Mottley KCMG QC, The Hon Mrs
Justice Fatmatta Alhadi, Scott
Maidment, Will Kenyon, and The Rt
Hon The Lord Darroch of Kew KCMG.
WIGGINS Robert John (Deceased)
Late of 5 College Road London E17 9DF.
Died 15/09/2021. All claims under S27
Trustee Act 1925 to Nockolds Solicitors
6 Market Square Bishop's Stortford
Hertfordshire CM23 3UZ by
21/06/2022.
SMITH-McKEN, Agnes.
Late of 35 Grimsel Path, London, SE5
0TB. Died 23rd March 2020 particulars
to Meaby & Co Solicitors, 2 Camberwell
Church Street, Camberwell Green,
London SE5 8QY (Ref: PR/5133 Attn:
Peter Russell) by 10th June 2022.
STOCKLEY, Karen Ann.
Maiden name: Long. 44 Brecon Avenue,
Portsmouth PO6 2AW. Previous
address: 87 Park Street, Salisbury SP1
3AT. Died 26th January 2022
particulars to Tracey Curtis, The
London Gazette (24435), PO Box 3584,
Norwich NR7 7WD by 10th June 2022.
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