Avril Crossman

I have two abiding memories of Steventon Church:-

Firstly, my father, Henry Smith, was known as a joker and comedian. In fact, he often performed songs poems and jokes for Steventon societies etc. but his ‘proper job’ was as a bricklayer for Steventon builder Mr. Buck.

One day he was asked to go and re-point the brickwork on the chimney at Steventon Vicarage, then occupied by Gordon Westerdale-Bowker. While he was working Dad looked down to see the vicar and his wife having a very heated argument outside their front door. They obviously didn’t know that dad was working on the chimney. Not one to miss a chance for a joke he called out in his most serious voice: “The one above sees all”

Shocked the vicar and his wife looked up, saw Dad and laughed, their disagreement forgotten.

Secondly when my husband (Alan Wilkins) was about 12 years old he, Alf King, Charlie Russell and a few others were seeing who could throw a stone over the Church. Trying for height and distance – but losing accuracy - one of Alan’s stones hit and broke a stained-glass window.

Knowing he would be found out he decided to come clean and told his parents. They punished him, as did his school. Part of his punishment was to sweep Steventon School yard every day for a week even though he attended Didcot Boys School.

To this day if you look at the large window behind the alter you can see a small piece of clear glass that was used to repair the window.

Incidently Alan (born in 1921) was a teetotal non smoking vegetarian who was a PT instructor in the army who played professional football for Brighton & Hove Albion. He returned to Steventon after his father died to support the family.