10:19am Friday 23rd March 2012
It’s a glowing tribute to woman who spent her life helping others.
On Sunday, a new stained-glass window was unveiled at St John the Baptist Church, North Baddesley, to keep the memory of Pat Minchinton alive.
The window was paid for with a bequest from Pat, whom many in the village remember for her efforts in setting up the Dial-a-Ride Community Transport scheme and for her work with the Guide organisation.
She worshipped at St John’s for 46 years and was chairperson of the Companions of St John.
The window was designed by Sophie Hacker, artist-in-residence at Winchester Cathedral,- and features a sun motif constructed from three thorn-like shapes evoking both a crown of thorns and the Trinity. Below this is a river that flows from top to bottom of the window, representing the waters of baptism.
There is also a flaming tree, evoking the Holy Spirit and a “hand of God”.
The window was dedicated at a special service conducted on Sunday afternoon by the Bishop of Southampton, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost.
Both the Mayor of Test Valley and the Mayor of Romsey were in attendance, as were representatives of the Guides and Test Valley Community Transport, Pat’s sister, Christine Siggers and relatives from Kent.
Known affectionately by many as “Miss Dial-a-Ride”, Pat died in December 2008, aged 79.
She was an administrator of the Southern Test Valley Voluntary Transport Scheme and Romsey Dial-a-Ride, which provides a transport service for the elderly and disabled. At Sunday’s service, a community transport vehicle, paid for by another of her bequests and bearing her name, was parked outside the church.
Pat was a draughtswoman with Ordnance Survey at Southampton. However, failing eyesight, brought on by diabetes, curtailed her career because she was unable to drive to work.
She was also District Commissioner of Guides and was involved in other voluntary organisations in the area and was one of the first recipients of the North Baddesley Parishioner of the Year Award.
The Bishop of Southampton was also called upon to bless a new font at All Saints’ Church, North Baddesley.
An example of recycling, the new wooden font, with a metal bowl, has been made by Nick Kerson out of oak from an unwanted platform removed from St John’s.
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