From surviving bombing to supplying bombers

November 11, 2023Real lives

This remembrance weekend we honour the memory of our longest living member, Joyce Wrigley. The second half of her 102 years were spent in Margate after the Second World War largely shaped her life. Here’s her story. Born in West Ham, Joyce came from sturdy Somerset stock. Her grandfather mined tin and gold, ending up … Read More

On the run

March 28, 2023Real lives

As for many others, the student lifestyle appealed to Jacob. Away in London on a film course he felt free from the shackles of his parents’ expectations. As far as his upbringing was concerned, Jacob seemed to be a Christian. He’d been attending services each week and involved in different church activities. However, at home … Read More

“He gave his life . . . so I could live”

March 23, 2021Real lives

Guest post by Hicham, a Christian from France. Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the heroic act of the 44-year-old Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame. On March 23rd 2018 Arnaud undertook one of the ultimate acts of bravery when he offered up his own life to save a hostage in a supermarket terror attack in southwest France, … Read More

A life-changing wartime Christmas

December 8, 2020Real lives

Crouched down, seasick and cold, Albert Hewitt peered into the dark Atlantic night.  Any enemy submarines around?  With swell as high as the dummy funnel he’d climbed, he couldn’t see much.  At 4am, the end of his four hour watch, Albert found himself unable to descend, so spent another miserable four hours up there.  What … Read More

One wartime weekend

August 13, 2020Real lives

Emerging from her Covid-hibernation in time for her ninetieth birthday, Rita remains a lively character.  Welcomed into the world as the source of a few more union pennies during the bitter miners’ strike, Rita’s resilience no doubt owes much to her Lancashire roots.  But it was events from her school-leaving weekend, aged 14, that have … Read More

When Covid Stops Cancer Treatment (2/2)

May 21, 2020Coronavirus, Real lives

In a previous post, we heard how Caryll’s life experiences are crucial to her as she lives with cancer.  After becoming a Christian in her native South Africa, she learned about God’s care of her as a doctor on St Helena.  In this second and final post, we find out about Caryll’s time as a … Read More

When Covid stops cancer treatment (1/2)

May 14, 2020Coronavirus, Real lives

A cutting-edge cancer drug had been providing respite for retired doctor, Caryll Coats.  But coronavirus shielding has created a terrible problem.  With a suppressed immune system she cannot attend hospital appointments lest she catch Covid-19 at hospital.  The new treatment that had been preventing the cancer from progressing has stopped.  How does she cope? Caryll’s … Read More