THE STONE FAMILY 

Dear Friends,

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Here’s our round-up of news for the year...

 

Alastair: This year has been a very busy one for me. Going to Scotland to watch my cousin win the Calcutta cup (against England) in February, then going back over Easter to climb Ben Nevis. The summer was filled with 
university visits all over the country (with a disproportionate amount of time spent waiting for trains) as well as a grade 8 piano exam – for which I was awarded the Beryl Chempin prize for the highest mark in the West Midlands. In the holidays I attended the Sound and Music Summer School camp for young composers, as well as having a very enjoyable week at Spot the Difference, a Scripture Union camp. More recently, as I have gone into year 13, I have been conducting a sixth form choir and secured the 2019-2020 Coventry Cathedral Organ Scholarship – following a distinction in grade 8 organ. An eventful year indeed, but a very enjoyable and encouraging one at that.

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Tim: I  had a great 2018. Busy and eventful but just another brilliant year. Ben Nevis, a new Church and some really good times with some really great people made it for me. Am enjoying the challenges of A levels and being Head Boy at Blue Coat – and looking forward to two years of outdoor pursuits and extreme sports in Scotland from next autumn.

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Buff: Highlights of the year: Niece Rhiannon’s 21st giving us good reason to be in Edinburgh for New Year; David being a hero and driving us all to Fort William after Easter; climbing Ben Nevis in the snow safely with a fantastic 
mountain guide; seeing my friends Ann and Ian after... too many decades; getting the planning permission for our new church building (but yet to have the diggers actually move in – hopefully Feb 2019?); going on CPAS Falcon Camp with 8 young people from St Cath’s – absolutely excellent all round; recovering for 2 weeks in Cornwall – 1 week with the lads (surfing etc) and 1 week just D and I – in St Ives which was a joy; back to the hurly burly of church life, parkrun, an overgrown garden and visiting Granny, who is slowly fading but still here. Grateful as ever that the light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not overcome it.

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David: Yes to all of the above! Following the hint last Christmas, an exciting royal visit happened in January at the start of a busy year celebrating the centenary of the diocese of Coventry and making plans for when Coventry becomes UK City of Culture in 2021. But before then we have 2019, beginning with three months when the Dean will be on sabbatical and leaving the Cathedral in my tender care...

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We send our love and best wishes for peace and joy at Christmas and for all that 2019 will bring.

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David, Buff, Timothy and Alastair Stone