Bishop confirming that the property (also known as "The Cockerill" [sic] [aka "The Cockerhill" - see other correspondence] was not for sale whilst Mrs Simpson was alive, but, he did not imply that it would be for sale when she was dead. However, he will be consulting with his Chapter in March.
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)Bishop advises that deeds for presbytery (Normanhurst plots 34 & 35?) are with Withams. As is the separate deed for church plot. Good idea to have a church hall, but, all costs, etc. must go through Finance Board, which meets on 26 February. Bishop is at the Convent in Ipswich and could deal with the matter himself if it is urgent. Does Fr Jolly know anything about Mrs Spencer of Thoringham, Saxmundham? May have lunch there and might meet Fr Jolly there too.
Bishop's Office£20 for Leiston boys will come from Lenten Alms. Problems arranging for priests to cover certain areas e.g. Diss, Eye, Framlingham where there are tiny congregations. Bishop does not have enough priests to meet the needs such as a Travelling Mission, but hopes this will improve in time. The Franciscans have taken over East Bergholt and will be well used. Do not know of any house-keeper - not the only one to ask - domestic situation is getting bad.
Bishop's OfficeContents from front:
1926-1930 – 2 pages of historical notes
1906 Statistics;
1907 Statistics, Bishop Riddell made first visitation & confirmation of 8 (23 April 1907);
1908 Statistics, Bishop Keating visitation & confirmation of 6;
1909 Statistics;
1910 Statistics; Bishop’s 2nd visitation& vows of Sister Mary of Sacred Heart
1911 Statistics; Bishop’s visitation – 15 for confirmation; two postulants receive the habit
1912 Statistics; collections
1913 Statistics; collections
1914 Statistics; collections; 42 Belgium refugees
1915 Statistics; collections; Bishop visit 25 for confirmation (19 were Belgian Children)
1916 Statistics; collections arrival of Fr Delaney, departure of Fr Coltee
1917 Statistics; collections; Bishop visit Sept 26; average military attendance at Mass 53
1918 Statistics; collections; average military attendance at Mass 56
1919 Statistics; collections
1920 Statistics; collections
1921 Statistics
1922 Statistics; collections
1923-1964 diary of events
Contents from Back (inverted): First Communion lists for 1907/1908/1909/1911/1912/1913 in manuscript
Leiston Church – Blessing of Foundation Stone – Bishop Parker sprinkling Foundation Stone
UnknownLeiston Church – Blessing of Foundation Stone – Bishop Parker reading prayers to assembly
UnknownContents:
Front cover: Title; schematic of East Anglia with church/mass centre locations identified.; Price 2d; 3s per annum post free
Inside front cover: Guild objectives & Proposed Schemes; List of Officers; List of local secretaries; editorial to Fr Thomson; Business & advertising to Miss N Mason.
page 1: News & Views: Happy New Year / Opening of Scole Mass centre / Church students / Christmas at the Cathedral /
page 2: Advertisements: Hammond & Son, undertakers / Votive offering for Fakenham / Brundell & Son, undertakers
page 3: Details of coastal bombing impacts / Cathedral notes / Beveridge Report / New Manual of Prayers / Widenst East Anglia
page 4: advertisements
page 5: Scole. A new East Anglian Mass Centre (article)
page 6: Our Diocesan Churches / 3. Kesgrave Suffolk (article)
insert page 1/2: MASS - The Sacrifice of the Mystical Body by Fr Martin Harrison OP (Article)
insert page 2: article page 1 cont'd: Cor Jesu
insert page 3/4: "Naboth's Vinyard" A short Story by A Stevens (story)
insert page 5: Pater Senes Preaches 1 - Indulgences (Article)
insert page 6/7: "An English Franciscan Martyr" Bro. Paul of St Mary Magdalen (Henry Heath)
insert page 7/8: "Miss Perkin's Posy" Fransicana (story)
insert page 8: Book review
page 7: Kesgrave cont'd
page 8: Scole con't; Roman Notes; Our Prize Competition
page 9: Correspondence; News from Parishes [first item cut out (probably Aldeburgh)]- Fakenham & Well-next-the Sea
page 10: Ipswich (St Mary's); Slough; Southwold [unfinished due to cut out]
page 11 to 14: advertisements
Undated/unaddressed letter (assumed to be about 1966) in which Fr Bull encloses a petition to the Bishop from "priests who are disconsolate at the loss of the Latin Mass". He asks for support but recognises that Fr Reeman may be "indifferent of a confirmed vernacularist". Priests included are: Alfred Bull, Ildephonsus Flannery OSB, Bryan Houghton, Quentin Johnston OP, Michael Kennedy, John Ketterer, Bertram Sammons, James Sloan, Joseph Sweeney and George Walker.
Bull, Alfred Stephen Rev (-1980)Mr Hastings' report on state of tower confirms his verbal assessment from September. Chief defect of the tower is that it is made of three thicknesses of different materials all of which expand and contract at differing rates leading to the current problems. Fr Jolly suggests taking the tower down to be the best option. The architect, Mr Hastings, has been asked to compare the options of repair to that of removing the tower.
Jolly, William T Rev (-1982)£800 for demolishing the tower and roofing over. Builders also consider saving the tower can be done for less. An estimate is awaited. Mr Hastings' view is that the best job needs to be done to avoid having to re-address the problem in 30 years time. Aldeburgh Major [W C Reade] (also head of the building firm) considers the tower should be saved - it is a local landmark. Would the bishop sanction an appeal to Aldeburgh people? Differing views on best approach in light of cost estimates for the options.
Jolly, William T Rev (-1982)Fr Jolly provides details about Framlingham.
Attendance: expect a congregation of 30-45 (1948 figures); weekly Mass preferred but monthly better in practice.
Finance: 30/- stipend; travelling expenses 10/-; £36/year from Major Rous covenanted for 7 years; donations and collections for future development.
Transport: use of bus and train; Major Rous will provide transport from Framlingham or Saxmundham - best time for Mass 8.30
Accommodation: not possible to erect a hut at the moment; People at Crown Inn are Catholics and we can use their convenient room whenever.
Fr Jolly is finding it increasingly impossible to continue at Aldeburgh because of his health. Besides diabetes, his nervous "black-outs" need to be diagnosed by a nerve specialist who is currently away. He asks the bishop for an absence of 3 months to get a diagnosis and rest; also, asks the Bishop to arrange short term cover for the parish. He is extremely happy at Aldeburgh and wishes to return to to stay, but, the Bishop may think that the cover should be a permanent arrangement.
Jolly, William T Rev (-1982)The Franciscans at East Bergholt may be able to provide a priest to Framlingham for the week-ends. Fr Jolly discusses offers of accommodation from Major Rous who will ask others to offer the same.
Jolly, William T Rev (-1982)Following on an earlier letter re creating a Leiston-Framlingham parish, Fr Jolly discusses the finances which may enable a priest to be sent to this new parish. He acknowledges that Aldeburgh would be a little worse of by £100 per annum, as a consequence.
Jolly, William T Rev (-1982)Presbytery nearly finished and expects to be in residence by next Monday. Cost was £2750 with Hasting's fee is 10%. £600 in Leiston a/c; with sale of old church he can meet the balance from the Aldeburgh a/c. Sale of the plot of land in Leiston for £560. Argent has matter in hand and deposit paid. New rite going well in the parish.
Cdr P Kerr-Smiley, of Rendham near Saxmundham has given a font. Simple traditional design and looks well at rear of side chapel. Mrs Rawlings has also given a new sanctuary carpet
Fr Reeman has seen the tenant in Top House, Mr Argent, about the price of £6000. He is interested but also has an interest in another house in Aldeburgh at an auction. Mr Argent wants to discuss this with the Bishop when he visits Aldeburgh.
Fr Reeman is willing to act as Extraordinary Confessor t the Lowestoft sisters.
Writes to the solicitors, Singleton & Co., enclosing papers [not present] pointing out that the design and materials for the garage as as in Southwold and as chosen as an exemplar by the Bishop.
Thomson, John Henry Rev RD (-1968)Mr DET Argent had contacted Canon Hunting in September 1961 about purchasing The Top House in Aldeburgh. He was told that whilst Mrs Simpson is alive the chapter would not consider selling the house. However, he has heard that Mrs Simpson has died and would like the opportunity to buy it.
Manuscript annotation: "For the next Finance Board"
Asking whether any restriction on the land since Fr Jolly wishes to erect a temporary wooden parish room. Jackaman see that a house "Crockerhill" adjoins the presbytery land in names of Canons Marshall and Cosser.
Jackaman & Sons