Father Wilbur Boswell. Father Boswell's history supplied by Sean Butler, whose father was one of his first parishioners, has been published in The Bucks Herald and Thame Gazette recently.
After serving as parish priest at St Teresa's, Beaconsfield, the then Diocesan Bishop sent him to Long Crendon to establish a parish which included the village of Westcott.
It had been served by Aylesbury priests up to 1963 but increased numbers
of Roman Catholics in 28 villages and hamlets meant that Father Boswell's task of forming a parish was formidable.
He started with Westcott in the ex-Baptist chapel, which had been used as target practice for the Home Guard in the Second World War, and still bore the bullet holes in the walls. After 'dealing with ditches and digging holes' helped by Sean's father, the church became the base for the parish. For eight years Father Boswell slept in a sleeping bag in the little vestry, being fed and watered by Maureen Huntley in her nearby flat for several years until the Presbytery at Long Crendon became his home.
Father Boswell built up the parish of Long Crendon and designed Our Lady of Light Church there but always retained his affection for St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Westcott in which he conducted weddings and funerals as well as the regular Masses and other ceremonies.
In all weathers he travelled from Long Crendon to Westcott for 11am Mass and never missed a single one, even though he occasionally arrived late having had to make a detour because of floods or snowdrifts. After his death on December 8, it was striking that so many condolences were received from those who had known him many years ago and had moved away.
His body was received into Our Lady of Light Church on the afternoon preceding his funeral Mass on December 20. This was celebrated by the Bishop of Northampton in the presence of about 160 people, including 14 priests of the diocese. Cremation at Oxford followed and Father's ashes will be interred in the Columbarium in Our Lady of Light immediately after Mass on Sunday, January 20. We like to feel he has come.
ST MARY'S Church. It was standing room only for the Christmas Carol Service on December 16 which this year included the Christingle lighting and presentation by the children present. A special prayer was said for the Children's Society. Donations for refreshments served after the service were given to the society.
SCHOOL. Your correspondent was unable to attend the Nativity play performed on December 19 but the following report has been received from a member of staff:
The head teacher welcomed all present and introduced the performance entitled Fishing for Stars.
The cast was as follows:
Narrator/Star - Lauren Knight; Mary/Star - Luca Nagy; Joseph - Charlie Crisp; Luke - William Dunning; Gigantic Star - Jayde Biltcliffe; Stars - Sara Nagy, Sophie Randall and Isobel Burkitt; Kings - Cameron Mitchell, Charlotte Lipscombe and Otto Kampa; Shepherds - George Knight, Philip Buckle and David Taylor.
The children then sang Away in a Manger and the Rev Liz Welters said the final blessing.
ST EDMUND'S Church. The Ash Wednesday Mass on February 6 will be celebrated at 7.30pm. The meeting for parishioners will be held in the John Butler Hall, Long Crendon, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 12.
MOLLY WASHINGTON, Westcott's oldest and well respected resident, died recently. An appreciation of her life will be included in a later edition.
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE. Westcott branch closed several years ago when some members joined the Ashendon branch, which is still very much alive and active. It meets on the second Wednesday of each month and the annual subscription is £27. The programme organiser is Sue Rand, telephone 651666, who has given your correspondent a list of dates and speakers for 2008.
Sue says members can make friends, have fun, visit places of interest, develop new skills and fight local and national campaigns through an organisation with a national voice. The programme for 2008 covers topics from schooling, CAB, cycling in Ireland, politics, beef and first aid, plus one or two surprises. To attend one of these meetings feel free to pay only £3 and this is without commitment to membership. Meetings are held in Ashendon Village Hall at 7.30pm so just turn up or telephone Sue for more information.
