THE STONE FAMILY 

Dear Friends and Family,

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

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Tim: It’s been a wonderful year! University life has been really rewarding and I’m still enjoying my time in Coventry, especially doing music and student work. My long term girlfriend Charity has been such a blessing and we were so glad that she was able to come and spend time with us over Christmas! I’m really looking forward to 2022 and every challenge that comes with it – have a great festive period and new year!

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Alastair: Despite everything being as mad as it has been over the past year, I have had quite a good one which for the most part got better as it went along. Starting with an online uni term from home, during which I missed the only day of snow we had in Coventry because of a minor essay crisis (how traumatic), I eventually went back to uni in the summer term for an enjoyable but still somewhat restricted end to first year, getting a distinction in prelims. Going back for second year, with restrictions lifted there was finally opportunity for music making – as the new senior organ scholar at Pembroke I rebuilt a ‘post-Covid’ chapel choir, as the newly appointed organ scholar at Harris Manchester I kept busy on the keys, as a member of the Arcadian Singers I returned to actually singing, and I went around doing recitals in various places too. Barely any time for academic work, but that’s not really why I’m there, and with no exams at the end of this year, it doesn’t really matter... right?

 

Buff: David and I started the year volunteering at the local vaccine clinic – as stewards and car park attendants and were thrilled to do something to promote life-saving vaccines. As life gradually returned to more in-person events, so did the set-backs and frustrations as well as occasional joys. New people have joined church though some are still hesitant; the youth group has been reborn as well as our weekly Messy Church. I’m immensely grateful for friendships that sustain us, the joys of sunshine and the garden; being even more appreciative of the good things around – I celebrated a BIG birthday visiting Hilary and Rob in their new homes. And running has become something of a passion... so I'm hoping to continue running the race with perseverance (Heb 12.1b) following on from the Brighton Marathon, completed in (just!) under six hours. The first of many?

 

David: It’s been ‘all change’ for me this year with a fond farewell to Coventry Cathedral in July and a new job as Chaplain of Brighton College from September, a role which includes teaching Religious Studies to 75 Year 9 pupils (the ‘4th Form’ in old money) which has been hugely stimulating and enjoyable, not least in the relationships I have started to build with colleagues and pupils. I’ve moved into what we anticipate will be our retirement home in a few years’ time, with the two of us occasionally criss-crossing the country to keep in touch in addition to our twice-daily WhatsApp chats, during which we support one another in tackling The Times ‘Polygon’ puzzle together. I’m still broadcasting a weekly service on Radio Plus (Sundays at 10 am - see http://player.radioplus.org.uk/) and looking forward to exploring more of Sussex on my rather splendid new electric bike (no pictures with me on it yet, alas). 

 

With our love and best wishes for Christmas and all that awaits us in 2022.

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David, Buff, Tim and Alastair Stone

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Enjoy this gallery of the year’s photos...