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.

Thinks the Roman decision on the Bergholt case is very clever.
The two priests for Gillingham are just the quiet simple types Mrs Kenyon would like to have. Delight to help her out after the many kindnesses by her and the family to me over the years.

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."

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.

Treasurer & Secretary for the Aldeburgh parish, Paul McComish, querying signatories for the parish account. Fr Back appointed to the parish and will decide who else is to sign at the first Parish Finance meeting.

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"

He has given his blessing for Fr Flynn to go to Dersingham. He can be on loan to Bishop Clark for a period of one or two years and then consider the process of excardination.

Rome's decision on Sr Monica took time with three abbots and a Bishop against the move.
Outlines some family difficulties within Gillingham Hall not being helped by Fr Pillot's abusive letter to the Colonel. Glad to see the end of the line of foreign priests at Gillingham and with the removal of Fr Pillot the tyranny has come to an end. "A sad business."

Beccles: Mgr Hypher to be "priest-in-charge" at Beccles. He knows Fr Little and Abbot Aelred.

Bungay: Will welcome Fr Edward Crouzet; sorry to lose Richard. Note comments on Lay Community and agree the need to take it steadily.

Further to your letter and your request regarding Beccles, if this still holds then I can suggest Monsignor Paul Hypher, Dean and parish priest in Peterborough for 10 years.

Whilst not stating the circumstance which constrain his deployment of priests in the Diocese, Bishop Clark considers Abbot Fitzgerald Lombard will have an idea. There is need to move Fr Hypher to a more demanding parish and proposes to appoint Fr Adrian Gates as his successor. This does not mean a withdrawal from the 3 year agreement to provide for Beccles. Despite any lobby opposing the change, he considers that Fr Gates will be accepted and supported by the parish.

Dersingham group want Fr Flynn at Dersingham. Suggests that they will issue a formal invitation but will need to deal with immigration matters.