Bishop has allowed him to see the documents relating to Beccles school. Notes that the school size is not to be reduced. Can Canon Brewer advise Fr Trafford about the vacancy and preparing the old building for its new use. Hesitates to contact Fr Trafford direct as he has not been keeping the Abbot informed, nor does the Abbot wish to interfere with the Parish Priest in his duties.

Abbot Butler thanking Fr Brewer for his help - passed the recent letter on to Fr Innes to note the last three paragraphs.

Cannot be at the induction but Fr Clothier will represent the Abbot. An arrangement between Bishop Smith (and previously with Bishop Clark) meant they supplied the Parish priest for Beccles but for 1996 he was preparing to nominate a monk. However, the Dean indicated a wish in the parish to avoid yet another change. Thus the agreement has been extended for 5 years with Fr Simon being inducted by Bishop Smith.

Temporary arrangement for Beccles. Need to withdraw Fr Michael Clothier from Beccles, earlier than planned, on 1 May. Fr Andrew will go to Beccles until Mgr Hypher can take up the appointment.

Beccles: Happy for this proposal to become a firm arrangement - deal with details later. Note comment that this is still a Downside parish and need to make this clear to avoid a dip in morale. Also, to send in a holiday supply from time to time to help Mgr Hypher.

Bungay: Enquiries have been received about Fr Richard from a Curial Cardinal who may offer him a job in Rome. Suggest Fr Edward Crouzet (55, graduate of Cambridge and Fribourg, linguist, musician, counsellor) who is Chaplain at Cambridge University for 7 years, also, a Downside housemaster for many years.

Offer is generous and will be considered by the Council at the end of this week.

Fr Edward's [surname?] telephone call advised him of the pressure to keep Fr Simon [Blakesley] at Beccles - cf Fr Sketch's "petition" at Deanery meeting - for a number of years yet. When proposing Fr Raphael Appleby (currently in Uganda but will supply to Bungay when Edward is away) to Bungay the Abbot recalled the agreement with Bishop Clark for Downside to take up the mission after three years. However, it seems that the parishioners quite like a secular priest and may prefer a trained priest to a monk out of cloisters. What does the Bishop think? Happy to let the current situation run indefinitely.

Agree with the proposal for Fr Blakesley. Fr Appleby will be going to Great Malvern from Easter 1996. No need to make changes to current arrangements but in due course these should be firmly defined in writing.

Hopes to have Fr Boniface Mackinlay receive Bishop's approval and be sent to Fr Guy at Bungay. But, Fr President is going to Rome on 20th and will discuss the required "H. Sec" approval. Meantime can the Bishop provide approval from Fr Mackinlay as a suitable priest to assist Fr Guy in building a church etc etc at Beccles? If so he will go direct to the Bishop for his Missionary Faculties.

Thanks the Bishop for the permission to appoint a priest to start a new mission at Beccles. Considers the priest should reside in Bungay and will make arrangements with Fr Guy there.

Thanks for kind wishes on his election to Abbot of Downside. Visited Beccles some weeks ago and much impressed by this beautiful church. Some day it will be a strong centre of religious life in the district.

Given that the bishop has an appreciation of Fr Worswick's work, the Abbot presents him for a permanent appointment to Beccles as parish priest.

Abbot Ramsay: Need to provide resources for the missions - hence a need to move Fr Worswick from Beccles. Fr martin Campbell, currently at Little Malvern, will replace him.
manuscript annotation: "Extremely sorry! But will not embarrass you, only trusting that Beccles will not go to sleep again. Fr Worswick [illegible] her from sleep of Spiritual Starvation. I give faculties to Fr Campbell for when he comes, also for the Nuns. Fr Worswick [illegible] leave his faculties form behind, when Fr Campbell comes he can send it to me. I will just change the name. Sept 12/24."

The Abbot accepts the role as trustee for the endowment from Mr Banham's will.
manuscript annotation: "Wrote thanking. Also to RE Banham saying Abbot Ramsey accepted to act as trustee and to say that, subject to Fr Worswick's approval, appointed Dr Helsham. Also wrote to Fr Worswick telling him of the arrangements."

Due to illness, effecting a swap of priests. Fr Worswick will start as soon as he receives the faculties.

Abbot John Roberts: Fr Michael Clothier is now parish priest at Beccles.
Lourdes very hot last week - not much better here.

Abbot John Roberts: Dom Aelred Watkins, thirteen years as Headmaster of Downside, is to replace Dom Little at Beccles.

Mrs Bramley is kind-hearted, etc. she did discuss the letter with the Abbot but also added other parts not seen until the Bishop copied her letter to him. He was delighted not to be governor and will talk to her. On way to Mass at Gillingham; his health has its ups and downs.

Abbot Richard Yeo thanking the Bishop for helping in the release of a priest for a long retreat at Belmont. Also for lining up "all sorts of things in Beccles" - new liturgy, rededicating the altar, receiving converts and confirmations - should be pretty busy this weekend.

Austin Snowden (36 Newgate St, Beccles) says that the new term is near and will the Bishop let him know where he is to be sent so that he can prepare.
manuscript annotation: "Wrote to him & to [illegible] Sept 28/26"