Maggie’s story
Maggie was born in December 1932 and lived near the Church. She had a sister 14 years older than her who had had spinal problems and who was taken around in a spinal carriage, to many appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Maggie’s dad was a postman, becoming head-postman in Surbiton. He also enjoyed playing football; Maggie has a picture of him in Ditton St Mary’s 1910/11 football team. Maggie remembers that Mr Farmer, who owned many of the houses in the area, would come around to their house with collected rent, and sort it out on their kitchen table.
Hook Church, in an earlier time
Maggie attended Sunday School on a Sunday afternoon at Hook Evangelical Church and remembers the gas-fire in the corner and a picture of Jesus on the wall, with words saying that everyone was precious in His sight. Maggie remembers Sunday school outings, including a trip to Little Hampton, when the leader lost his teeth! Maggie remembers receiving a book as a Sunday school prize: “My dog punch”. Maggie also remembers great Sunday school parties, with lots of food spread out on long tables.
Maggie attended St Paul’s School in Chessington with her friend June.
evacuated to Bideford, Devon.
Then the 2nd World War came along, and in 1943 Maggie was one of 11 children evacuated to Bideford in Devon. They were cared for by Auntie Kate and Uncle Joe and came to enjoy being together and playing by the sea. Whilst she was in Bideford, she went to the local Anglican church, St Mary’s.
When Maggie returned home from being evacuated, she decided to go to St Paul’s Church in Hook, instead of Hook Evangelical Church. She found the sermons shorter and enjoyed some of the formalities of the Anglican Church. Maggie’s mum still went along to the Tuesday Service at Hook Evangelical Church.
Then at 14 years-old Maggie started work. Her work was up in London, in an office for the ‘English Jersey Cattle Society’. She drifted away from Church, getting involved in the high life up in London.
Things didn’t work out so well, and Maggie returned to living in Surbiton.
the Steeleye Span
Then, Alan, who was living across the road, took an interest in Maggie, and invited her to a performance in the Festival Hall: “The Steeleye Span”. Maggie and Alan were married in 1972.
Maggie today, beside her engagement photo; Maggie and Alan’s 25th Wedding Anniversary
Maggie’s favourite song
A lady called Christine ran the ‘Young Wives’ group and encouraged Maggie to go along to their meetings. In 1985 Maggie re-started attending Hook Church beginning on a Sunday evening, and then attending on a regular committed basis.
Meanwhile, Alan, who had not been a Christian up to this point, was invited to attend monthly men’s meeting. He did so, and, on 5th November 1985, at one of these meetings, Alan committed his life to the Lord. Alan then became involved in serving in Hook Church in a number of ways including maintenance, printing and deacon.
Maggie and Alan enjoy worshipping in Hook Church each Sunday.
So, it is a story of finding and re-finding faith. Praise God!