OSAmag78

A YEAR iN THE LiFE oF THE
ViCE PRESiDENT oF
THE METHoDiST CHuRCH
When I left the staff of Stationers' in
1975, it was to teach in a rural school in
Sierra Leone under the auspices of the
Methodist Church. Looking back, the
three building blocks of education, a world
view, and the Church have shaped much
of my life. Most of my 25 years of teaching
was actually spent in Hertfordshire
comprehensives, followed by 14 years in
the employment of the Methodist Church
as a lay person - involved in developing
relationships with the 65 self-governing
Partner Churches that want to be involved
with the Methodist Church in Britain. It
certainly enabled me to travel to some
extraordinary parts ofthe world and, more
importantly, it meant that I met some
fascinating people from all walks of life.
Just when I was moving into 'retirement
mode', I was asked to put my name
forward as Vice-President of the
Methodist Church and was elected for
2012/13. The Methodist Church in
Britain {MCB)still has nearly 5000
chapels and churches open, has nearly a
quarter of a million members, and
probably plays host to four times that
number each week. It has always been
heavily involved with those in need, and
indeed the Salvation Army springs from
Methodist roots. Therefore, it was both an
honour and a wonderful opportunity to be
elected as VP for 12 months.
In the Methodist Church organisation,
power is vested in an annual Conference
of just over 300 elected representatives. It
is very democratic and every year a
President (Ordained) and Vice-President
(either a deacon or a lay person) preside or
chair the Conference business that lasts
nearly a week. For the rest of the year, the
joint Presidency act as the figureheads of
the Conference, having authority, but no
power! So for me it was a year that
actually started in February 2012,
representing MCB in New Zealand, to be
in solidarity with people at the anniversary
of the Christchurch earthquake, before
going on to Tonga and Samoa. Since then,
it has meant many weekends visiting
Districts from Newcastle to the Isles of
Scilly, preaching at various anniversa ry
services, speaking on a variety of topics,
and visiting some inspirational work
amongst the most needy in the land -
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 5
NEWS oF FoRMER STAFF
from asylum seekers to the increasing
numbers helped by Foodbanks. Inevitably
this brings religion into the political arena
and being VP meant attending Autumn
party conferences, signing various letters
to politicians on behalf of the Church, as
well as many meetings. I was given one of
the best seats in Canterbury Cathedral for
the Archbishop's enthronement, and also
access to a shelter for homeless men in
Preston; a reception with politicians in
Northern Ireland, as well as visiting
Methodist primary schools in Swaledale;
preaching from John Wesley's pulpit in
City Road, and also involved in
extraordinary cross-cultural worship in
Roath, Cardiff.
It was quite a year. It was a real privilege
to serve the Methodist Church in this
way. In July I handed over to this year's
VP, Daleep Mukarji, until recently the
Director of Christian Aid. For me, it's
been an exciting journey since teaching in
Hornsey forty years ago!
Michael King
CLiVE BLECKiNSoP
One evening last month I was playing
darts with a few friends in the Haringey
Arms, Crouch End when in came a face
from the past. It was Clive Blenkinsop
who taught at the school in the late 60's
and 70's. Although Clive never taught me,
I stayed in touch with him for several
years through a drinking group that met at
the Wrestlers pub in Highgate on a
Sunday lunch time. As it is probably 40
years since we last met I am pleased to say
I still recognised him even without the
pint in his hand.
We reminisced about all aspects of the
school, particularly the roll call of good
and bad teachers and the impact of the
"comprehensive" experiment! He chuckled
as I recalled my first physics lesson when
Holly suspended a bar magnet from the
ceiling which steadfastly refused to point
to magnetic north which everyone in the
class knew was directly in line with
Alexandra Palace clearly visible from the
window.
Clive mentioned that he had a couple of
photos taken in the staff room which
represented the inner sanctum and being
out of bounds for all pupils, is probably
the only part of the school building that I
had never seen. He sent me these pictures
which include Read and Topley playing
lunch time chess, Gus Thomas having a
siesta, Clive with the Guardian and the
German set of 66-67. The pictures were
taken by Werner Konig the German
assistant at the time. Clive has supplied an
accompanying note which is published
below.
(addendum - Clive is now supplementing his
pension with regular winnings from the
Thursday night quiz at the Royal Oak, St
James Lane, Muswell Hill which
coincidentally is run by old stationer, Chris
Pollikett!)
Tim Westbrook
Below: Gus Thomas asleep in the staffroom
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