Suzanne and Alan shares this latest news from Freshwater. Ed
As already reported through OnTheWight Elizabeth Hutchings was instrumental in the funding for a replacement Foundation Stone at St. Agnes Church, Freshwater. Following the replacement of the stone it was unveiled by David, Baron Tennyson on his recent visit to Freshwater.
New Freshwater Circle
Elizabeth, local historian, writer and publisher, has made a detailed study into the Tennyson family over the years and for the inaugural meeting of the ‘new’ Freshwater Circle held in the Olympus Gallery at Dimbola, Freshwater she was the guest speaker.
Following the demise of the Farringford Tennyson Society after thirty years, the ‘new’ Freshwater Circle has been formed with a view to replacing the former group.
Richard Hutchings Memorial Lecture
Elizabeth’s presentation entitled ‘May, Lady Tennyson and The Golden Heart Man’ formed the 25th Richard Hutchings Memorial Lecture. Having reached the grand age of ninety she pointed out this would probably be the last time she would deliver a memorial lecture dedicated to her late husband, who was an author, poet and publisher.
For a time the Hutchings lived in Christchurch, New Zealand with their three sons and coincidentally David, the present Baron Tennyson, lives in Christchurch today.
Elizabeth recalled that in 1925 May, the third Lady Tennyson provided the funds for an ambulance to serve the Freshwater area. Princess Beatrice handed over the Riley vehicle at a ceremony at the Drill Hall, now the Memorial Hall in Freshwater.
Later in the history of the May, Lady Tennyson Memorial Ambulance when the infirm Rev. Platt retired he was taken from West Wight to Exeter, on his way to a new home in Cornwall, by that very ambulance.
‘The Golden Heart Man’
Allan Vivian May, a Diocesan Lay reader at St. Agnes Church, Freshwater was a well-known and loved character in the village, going about his business on a bicycle. One of Elizabeth’s many books is about Allan May and entitled ‘The Golden Heart Man’.
He never married and as well as being a Lay reader was a talented writer. He gained some kudos from writing the poem ‘The Rose with a Golden Heart’ which won a prestigious competition, which attracted some 30,000 entries.
He was raised in Nottingham and when his father died when Allan was seven years old, he relocated to West Wight. Allan was librarian to May, Lady Tennyson and he died in 1975.
St. Agnes Church was built in 1908 and the Foundation Stone was laid in the April by Harold Tennyson. Reputedly, the church was constructed from stone which came from the cottage where Robert Hooke was born. Recently Elizabeth felt the Foundation Stone was in need of restoration so set about raising the necessary funding from herself and friends.
Image: © Suzanne Whitewood
