D’MOUTH AT WORK
Father Will Hazelwood Priest for the United Benefice of Dartmouth & Dittisham
C
hristmas is going to be very different for you this year?
Yes, I’m taking a break for a few months; it will mean my first proper family Christmas in 14 years. I have never actually seen my children open their stockings.
So what will you be doing on your sabbatical? Lots of exciting and challenging adventures I hope! we will start with a trip to america to see family, squeez- ing in a visit to Disneyland! then back to england for a retreat in norfolk and time spent tinkering with my classic car, walking spud the dog and doing ‘dad duties’. the last part will be spent in east africa; our children will attend a local school and my wife sophie and I will help a charity project which improves classrooms and sanitation blocks in rural schools.
What will be going on in your absence then? everything will be in the safe hands of Father nick. we have been working together preparing for the season since september. there will be school and rotary carol services, the Crib service on Christmas eve, midnight mass and four services on Christmas Day itself.
How difficult is it knowing many families won’t return to Church until next Christ- mas? It’s just nice to see the Church with standing room only for the Crib ser- vice and we try to give people a taste of some of the fun that continues throughout the year. we don’t take ourselves too seriously and like to have a giggle. we have great family friendly services on the first sunday of the month.
Do you have many weddings at this time of year? there’s always one or two couples who fancy a festive ceremony.
What do you enjoy around the Christmas lunch table? Good wine and cheese. we are lucky in Dartmouth to have a butchers, fishmongers and delis where you can source delicious local products. my last parish was on the outskirts of slough where your only choice was a large supermarket.
Favourite Christmas snack? a mince pie – warm of course!
Sprouts? Love them as long as they aren’t overcooked.
Favourite tipple? Claret – it’s a family tradition.
A message to end on?
the intrinsic message of Christmas is God showing his love by being born amongst us as a vulnerable child, it’s about peace and goodwill and I reckon we could all do with a bit of that in the world at the moment.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132