Thirty years ago, after the retirement of Rev Dobson we were looking for a new rector and hoping for someone who would encourage young families into church. On the scene arrived a brightly-clad young man from Essex, David Streeter, accompanied by wife and son. His induction was in Stradbroke church followed by tea at the High School. It was a happy day with much laughter and sharing of stories with members of the congregation from his previous parish.
Horham had a fairly young congregation in 1980 and everyone set about fund raising for the restoration of the church tower; this culminated in December with a Parson’s Punch and Pie party in the Old School with Turkey raffle. The tower was completed in 1984.
As the years progressed David’s clothes got brighter and his ability to win over the young became more daring and sometimes more dangerous; he moved from swimming through roller skating to abseiling down the church tower and ultimately bungee jumping. He has been seen regularly the TV show It’ll Be Alright On The Night.
His efforts have been rewarded as many youngsters have been christened and married in church, many who had never been in church before. As well as all this he has been a tireless visitor to the sick, been to numerous village events, involved with combined services with the Baptist church and helped bereaved families with care and compassion.
He liaised with veterans of the 95th and the PCC for the re-hanging of Horham’s eight bells – they were dedicated in ’92. This was a tremendous occasion, The village fed and entertained, maybe not 5,000 but a good 500. Following this success Horham was chosen as the venue for the millennium yew tree distribution to sites in Suffolk. At an outdoor event in pouring rain several hundred visitors were welcomed by the bishop, David Bellamy and others.
Well, we fear we have had the best 30 years of his life and have much to be thankful for, but he can be exasperating! (Perhaps we should check with wife Margaret and son Daniel, just in case it’s us). As he leaves us with his bucket of flowers, home-made cake, jar of marmalade, bottle of home-made ginger beer en route to shows all over the country, what more can we say except thank you.
God Bless, Good Luck and Happy Retirement.
Top picture David and Margaret at david's 70th birthday. Second from top David flower arranging (courtesy of the Diss Express - www.dissexpress.co.uk). Also David with the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and dressed for St George's Day. (Story from Autumn 2012 Athelington, Horham & Redlingfield News).