Current Registers
Baptisms
"You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life." (from the Baptism Service)
27th June Isaac Henry WHEELER
Weddings
"Marriage is never to be undertaken carelessly, lightly or selfishly..." (from the Wedding Service)
19th June Sarah PARKER and Martin ROWLAND
Funerals
"In the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me." (Psalm 23 verse 4)
1st June JOHN SIMMONDS BARNES, aged 88
John and his brother Fred were born in Hayes and were raised by their Aunty Nellie and Uncle Bob. They were sent to a boarding school in Croydon and after leaving there John spent an unfortunate 18 months in traction as a result of a football injury which left him with a shortened left leg. During the War although medically discharged from active service John worked in a munitions factory and soldiered for the Home Guard. He met Pat at a Red Cross “do” in September 1947 and they were married in 1948 at St Johns Moor, Uxbridge. The couple lived in Hayes with John’s mother until they moved to Ash Grove where Philip was born 6 months later and Jeremy was born a year later. John was a milkman at the Express Dairy, Rickmansworth for a number of years and Philip would accompany him at weekends and during the holiday’s. During the mid 1960’s the family moved to Northwood Road and John changed his job becoming a Chauffeur for Mr Atkinson (Auto Diesel) and then Mr Lewis (A J Mills) despite never taking his driving test! In later years John never fully retired but worked part-time for Watford FC delivery lottery tickets. He became friends with many people during this time including Graham Taylor and was presented with a bottle of JB Whiskey by the footballer John Barnes on his 70th birthday. John loved supporting Hayes Football Club, reading crime thrillers, watching Westerns and gardening. He was able to stay in his own home until the end and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
8th June SYLVIA JEAN “BAY” LITTLE, aged 69
Sylvia was a war-time baby born in St Neots where the Payne family – mum Alice, dad Sid and elder sisters Shirley and Jackie, had been evacuated to. Her mum called her “Bay” from a very early age and the name stuck. The family came to live in the Chapel Row cottages and then moved to St Mary’s Road. Bay was mischievous, full of fun and enjoyed having a laugh especially with the boys from the Little family who lived around the corner. And so it was that she married Colin Little in 1959 at St Mary’s church. Bay worked in an underwear factory, at the Porcelain and then at Mount Vernon where she stayed for many years before becoming Colin’s main carer following a stroke. Bay loved her family and was very close to her mother, siblings, son Wayne, the grandchildren Carl, Corinne and Luke, and most recently great-granddaughter Isla Bay. Bay loved beautiful things – making her garden grow, her home spotless, and she wasn’t adverse to a bit of retail therapy either - Uxbridge or Shepherds Bush market were frequently visited. Family holidays often involved a number of other friends and many people have great memories of trips to the Isle of Sheppey and Lowestoft. In later years Bay enjoyed bingo and watching TV – especially the shopping channel! She will be greatly missed by a large family and many friends.
9th June JOHN RUSSELL, aged 87
John was born on 30 September 1921, the eldest of three siblings. Little is known of John's childhood in Preston but with the outbreak of war he was conscripted to the RAF where he was trained and worked as a rear-gunner. Following the war he got a job at the Bell works and it was there that he met Connie whom he married at St Mary's in 1948. The couple lived together with Connie's mother in St Mary's Road and Melvin was born in 1950 before the family moved to Newdigate Road where Lorraine was born in 1962. John moved from the Bell works to Peerless Fencing and then Martin Baker where he stayed until his retirement. Never afraid of hard work John led a simple life of work and home, he was content with what he had and loved spending time with his children. John loved children and after his own children grew up he enjoyed spending time playing with his grandchildren. When he was younger John played bowls and in later life he enjoyed an occasional flutter on the horses, he also enjoyed watching the local football and cricket teams. After a short illness John passed away in Hillingdon Hospital.
17th June GEORGE CARTMELL, aged 79
George was born in Lithum-St-Anne's in 1930, to Annie and William, A younger brother John was born later. After leaving school he did some work on a farm, but was soon into an apprenticeship in printing. George was a keen footballer in his youth, and actually toured Sweden at one point with the local team. But his playing career was curtailed by the injury which resulted in his ankle problems that remained with him for the rest of his life. Once his apprenticeship was finished, George came down to London and found a job at King and Hutchings in Uxbridge. One of George's colleagues introduced George to St Mary’s Church Harefield, and quickly had George involved in the rota for serving at the 8am Holy Communion Service. George's real gift, his desire to serve is something that he did in countless ways. He was actively involved in the St John's ambulance and the Red Cross for many years. And it was through this involvement that George first met Joyce when he was asked to take 3 Red Crossers to an event at the Royal Festival Hall. They were married at St Mary’s in March 1964, and thus began 43 years of really strong married life George and Joyce were fundamentally such different people but clearly it worked - He was often late home from his beloved allotment, and thus in trouble with Joyce, but apparently had a naughty boy smile which quickly got him out of trouble again. They became parents to Andrew and Elizabeth, and great parents they were too. In addition to all the Red Cross events George and Joyce were brilliant at taking Andrew and Elizabeth to all the sights in London...Trooping of the colour, Windsor Castle, Madam Tussauds ... There were many other events and venues that George and Joyce attended through their involvement with the Red Cross - tennis at Queens, the Royal Tournament, the Lord Mayor's Show, Royal Albert Hall and he always drove an ambulance at the Middlesex Show. George was also very generous and enjoyed growing enough vegetables to feed the whole neighbourhood. He was always pleased to help in any way he could. And no doubt this helped him establish so many good relationships. George was always a valued active member of the Church community at St Mary’s. After Joyce died, as he realised there were other opportunities to help out, he gladly took on serving / assisting at the main 10.30am service twice a month. And although George was very easy going in many ways, he was always meticulous about doing things properly in Church. George was a man who knew contentment - he would always say that his cup was full. And he has also lived and died in anticipation of eternity - of living in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Parish Office
c/o The Vicarage
28 Countess Close
Harefield
UB9 6DL