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.
Downside AbbeyLetter
108 Archive Record results for Letter
Abbot Butler thanking Fr Brewer for his help - passed the recent letter on to Fr Innes to note the last three paragraphs.
Downside AbbeyAbbot Egan provides information in response to the Bishop's questions.
The Oblates of St Benedict are attached to his Abbey but are not religious in the strict sense of the work. They live and work within the community under a rule drawn up by the Abbot with Bishop Amigo's approval. He provides some history of the group and reports that Mgr Serafini of the Congregation of Religious in Rome supports their intent to become a proper religious group. Abbot Egan says that they a hard working and zealous and will be sorely missed by their Parish Priest. Indeed if he could find room for them in the Abbey then he would snap them up. They have no income except for that derived form the school which has 100 pupils (protestant children from Strood and Chatham). They are mortgaged to £2750 to Fooks & Arnold. Sr Scholastica is very well educated. He recommends them to the Bishop and suggests that a decision to let them go to Aldeburgh will not be regretted.
manuscript annotation: "Answered. Thanks for information."
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.
Watkin, Aelred Rev MA FSA FRSA FRHistS (1918-1997)Ministry of Education writes to confirm minster has agreed to Beccles RC school being an aided school.
CorrespondentBishop Brown confirms the Oblates of St Benedict are under a foundation of Abbot Egan. They will be in dire financial difficulty if they cannot sell their property (school, convent and grounds) according to Philip Fooks of Arnold Fooks & Co. Their problems arise from a new Secondary School opened by nuns at Chatham. Fr Nugent [PP?] thinks well of them.
Brown, William Francis Rev (1862-1951)Unsure as to why the customary letter regarding not being appointed as a school governor was not sent to Mrs Bramley. As Fr Watkin was not reappointed at the same time perhaps he could contact her and discuss.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop was surprised that she did not get a letter thanking her for her service - as is the Bishop's custom. The projected ecumenical school would not have survived after the Anglians had "pulled out" of the scheme. Informed Fr Aelred of her protestation.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Write on his behalf to the correspondent asking about an Education Committee decision relating to her daughter who after a means test must pay all fees. Bishop p.s.: Pity to bother the Bishop - Fr Brookes should have written to her.
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)Cannot see that the Commission can refuse approval for the Beccles Presbytery (despite it being away from the church). Note Beccles has not paid into the School pool.
Asks how Fr Brewer's school is progressing - May 1 pm suitable for Foundation Stone?
Have not seen any plans for St Joseph's Modern School at Slough.
Need to see Fr Webb at Yarmouth to talk about these proposals and the intent to build an RC school in Gorleston. Provides advice on approach to take before the meeting with Ministry of Education and offers to accompany Fr Innes to their offices o 13th January.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Long talk with Fr Trafford about affairs at Beccles school. Doubtful that the Ministry will allow work to proceed as the national economy cannot yet afford it and other priorities exist. Fr Trafford is already approaching the LEA about a teacher appointment.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Policy in the matter of parental choice in schools is available from HMSO. Means tests will apply when that choice involves an independent school. Fortunate that the Local Authority has agreed to meet some of the costs. The Bishop does not wish to be burdened by such letters when the correct approach is via the parish priest. Need to convince the LEA that the local school cannot meet the daughter's educational needs.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Copy enclosed of a letter to the Ministry stating the approval given in May. Suggest Fr Brookes write and state that the Instruments of Management for the school (same up and down the country) has been agreed. The Bishop and the Abbot will appoint four managers after sealing the Instruments of Management.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Local Authority should be urged to agree, prioritise and address the permanent alterations to the school. Chasing up "Aided status" notification, "Instrument of Management" and "Rules of Management. These need to be vetted by the [diocesan] legal department. Asking this because West Suffolk have produced, sealed and completed documents without reference to us, hence requiring steps to correct.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Will visit and talk things over. Hold the meeting with the school managers and obtain the resolution to apply for Aided status. Complete Form 18 to show ability and willingness to meet share of costs for the school. Will call at Bungay too, not having heard from them.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Unidentified [possibly Canon Brewer - see letter dated 16 Nov 1949]: Looked into the matter. Did the authority refused to allow the children to go to a Catholic school? Procedure is to admit the children to the school, then inform the Ipswich Education Authority. They cannot refuse. But the fares will have to be paid by parents, parish or Catholic Education Council.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Discourse on the nature of maintaining the school at its present size: the balance of non-Catholics to Catholics; the number of pupils; ratio of teachers to pupils; alteration of the school building.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)The letter will meet Fr Traffrd's need for the managers' meeting. Notice that 1938 entitlement of 105 was not met with 70 on the roll; 1962 entitlement of 157 of which 127 were Catholics. Another reason to maintain the entitlement.
Brewer, Arthur T Rev BCL (-1972)Understands the difficulties presented by the removal of seniors from the school. Not desirable to have Protestant children in the school. However, careful thought must be given to the school's circumstances. Decisions made will have an impact on Gorleston school and perhaps any Catholic Grammar for East Anglia. It is for the decision of the bishop.
The nature of children lapsing from the Faith is complex and much work is being done on addressing it. The Catholic Catechetical Centre being set up will provide benefit in this area.