From Punch and Judy Man to Parish Priest-
ReV. Canon Dr Philip Bourne
The Rev. Canon Dr. Philip Bourne took us on a journey from his childhood in Nailsea to his current position as Team Rector of the Sid Valley Mission Community.
As a child he was often in trouble for his misdemeanors ie. 'borrowing' Ladybird books from school or taking two lion cubs for a walk. In his early teens he became interested in a local Punch & Judy show and after helping out eventually bought the puppets from Uncle Dick on his retirement. Time spent doing the shows and also playing organs at different venues meant that Philip , who was not naturally studious did rather badly in his 'A' levels. He was told he was not clever enough to study for the priesthood and so began training as a secondary school music a teacher at Brighton Poly. After 1 year he followed his calling to the Ministry and switched to Religious Studies.
He trained at Durham University to be a priest, before taking up a post as curate in the Wakefield Diocese, south of Leeds. This was followed by four years on the chaplaincy team at Exeter University, then 13 years in the Netherlands serving as priest to a large expatriate community.
In 1996 his Punch & Judy puppets appeared on the Antiques Roadshow where they were identified as puppets that had once belonged to Tony Hancock. Following the show he received a lot of interest; some told tales of ill luck that befell the previous owners of the puppets. He decided to sell them.
Since January 2007, Philip has served the Diocese of Chichester as Director of Ordinands, overseeing the process for selecting and training new priests. Many come to the priesthood in later life and from a wide variety of occupations.
In 2014 Philip became the rector of St Giles and St Nicholas in Sidmouth.
As a child he was often in trouble for his misdemeanors ie. 'borrowing' Ladybird books from school or taking two lion cubs for a walk. In his early teens he became interested in a local Punch & Judy show and after helping out eventually bought the puppets from Uncle Dick on his retirement. Time spent doing the shows and also playing organs at different venues meant that Philip , who was not naturally studious did rather badly in his 'A' levels. He was told he was not clever enough to study for the priesthood and so began training as a secondary school music a teacher at Brighton Poly. After 1 year he followed his calling to the Ministry and switched to Religious Studies.
He trained at Durham University to be a priest, before taking up a post as curate in the Wakefield Diocese, south of Leeds. This was followed by four years on the chaplaincy team at Exeter University, then 13 years in the Netherlands serving as priest to a large expatriate community.
In 1996 his Punch & Judy puppets appeared on the Antiques Roadshow where they were identified as puppets that had once belonged to Tony Hancock. Following the show he received a lot of interest; some told tales of ill luck that befell the previous owners of the puppets. He decided to sell them.
Since January 2007, Philip has served the Diocese of Chichester as Director of Ordinands, overseeing the process for selecting and training new priests. Many come to the priesthood in later life and from a wide variety of occupations.
In 2014 Philip became the rector of St Giles and St Nicholas in Sidmouth.
Business
Our new president Lesley Ansell welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the roles of the new committee. Jennifer Dixon has taken the post of Secretary and Barbara Ellis will continue as Treasurer for another year.
At the start of the meeting all members were given a coloured star on their name badge and Lesley explained that the colour denoted the Refreshment team to which they had been allocated. The teams will take it in turn to provide the tea and coffee at the monthly meeting and the coffee morning.
Helpers are needed to serve teas at the Horticultural Show on 6th August and members were asked to provide cakes. Beryl urged members to enter the WI section of the show as numbers were low last year.
Tickets are still available for the Mystery Trip on the 27th July, coat £15 and guests £20 are welcome.
The membership approved Denman bursaries for Barbara Poole and Christine Bull.
Skittles - a new organiser is needed as Margaret Newman is stepping down.
Darts - is anyone interested in forming a Darts team?
Craft - Rosemary Hurst will be running the Craft afternoons, which start again in September, and is keen to hear any new ideas.
Competition - A Small Handmade Toy
At the start of the meeting all members were given a coloured star on their name badge and Lesley explained that the colour denoted the Refreshment team to which they had been allocated. The teams will take it in turn to provide the tea and coffee at the monthly meeting and the coffee morning.
Helpers are needed to serve teas at the Horticultural Show on 6th August and members were asked to provide cakes. Beryl urged members to enter the WI section of the show as numbers were low last year.
Tickets are still available for the Mystery Trip on the 27th July, coat £15 and guests £20 are welcome.
The membership approved Denman bursaries for Barbara Poole and Christine Bull.
Skittles - a new organiser is needed as Margaret Newman is stepping down.
Darts - is anyone interested in forming a Darts team?
Craft - Rosemary Hurst will be running the Craft afternoons, which start again in September, and is keen to hear any new ideas.
Competition - A Small Handmade Toy
1st - Margaret Perigo
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2nd - Rosemary Hurst
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3rd - Barbara Poole
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