The Vicarage,
August 29th, 1929.

My dear Friends,-

After our long absence Mrs. Creaton and I are glad to be at home again. The past six months have been for me a somewhat trying time of enforced inactivity, but I am thankful to say that I have gained strength during the last few weeks and I hope that now I shall continue to improve. However, the doctors consider that I ought to spend the coming winter in as warm a place as I can, and avoid, as far as possible, the cold winds which are so prevalent in Kent in the Spring.

I expect it is now known to many of you that it has been decided that the wise and right course will be for me to be away from Hartlip from November to April next. This decision has not been come to without much thought, and, of course, it did not rest with me only. I am most grateful for the kind consideration which has been shown for me and my family by the Bishop and those whom he has consulted, but I have been most anxious that the best interests of the parish should also be considered. The alternative to my having the winter away would, I suppose, be leaving Hartlip altogether, and I am sure you will understand how much Mrs. Creaton and I would feel leaving the parish where we have been so happy and where we have found so many friends, and leaving our beautiful Church and the services in it.

It is now for me to try to find someone suitable to take my place for the winter. I think it is only right that I should say all this about myself in the Magazine now.

I want to express publicly (as I have done privately) my thanks to Mr. Ball for all he has done, and for staying so long at Hartlip. He tells me that his stay has been a very pleasant one. It has been so much to me to know that all would go happily with Mr. Ball in the Vicarage and in charge of the parish.

The proposed Confirmation to be held in our Church has been much on my mind. I cannot say whether the Bishop of Dover will be able to fix a day for it in the near future, but I am anxious to begin classes of preparation soon, so that I may see as much as I can of those who are thinking about being confirmed. If there are any who would like to attend the classes and have not yet given me their names I shall be glad to hear from them at once.

A valuable gift has been made to the Church by Mr. Faussett-Osborne. Some time ago six handbells were lent for the use of the ringers, and now eleven more have been added to them. With two octaves the bells will not only be pleasant to hear, but, will be most useful for practice by the ringers. We thank Mr. Faussett-Osborne very much for his kind gift.

I am asked to say that the amount

of the collection made in the parish for the Mayor of Gillingham's Fire Relief Fund was £3/8/0 - a nice help in this sad case, and a nice expression of sympathy.

Again we have had an excellent Report on the Religious Instruction given in our Day Schools. It is printed below. Parishioners will join with me in congratulating Mr. Southgate and the other teachers upon it.

Your Sincere Friend and Vicar,

D. H. CREATON.

HARTLIP C.E. ENDOWED SCHOOL.

Report on Religous Education.

The religious instruction in this School is of a very pleasing character. The Infants replied with remarkable brightness and freedom upon the stories from the Life of our Lord, incidents in St. Paul's life, and on some Old Testament stories. It was a delight to question the children. The middle group also replied with great readiness on the general outline of the Old Testament, the Church, the Life of Our Lord, and the Spreading of the Gospel. The senior children had followed the Diocesan Syllabus, and I was very gratified with the intelligent and eager manner in which the children responded to my questions on the various branches of their studies.

I congratulate Mr. Southgate and his staff on the excellent work they are doing, and the success with which their efforts are rewarded. The tone of the school is excellent.

H. C. JACKMAN,

Diocesan Inspector.

Extracts from the Registers
(Baptism and Burials in May omitted in error)

BAPTISM.

May 19th - Graham, son of Albert John and Louisa Frances Cork.

BURIALS.

May 10th - Minnie Asling, aged 50 years.

May 17th - Mary Ann Cork, aged 77 years.

Aug. lst - Charley Edwin Philpot aged 37 years.

MARRIAGE.

Aug. 17th - Albert Reginald Dunk and Ivy Lilian Milgate.

COLLECTIONS IN THE CHURCH.

£s.d.
June2nd-Quota to Diocesan Funds1211
"9th, 16th, 23rd - Church Expenses421
"30th-Organ and Choir Fund1123
July7th-Quota to Diocesan Fund1100
"14th and 21st - Church Expenses21611
"28th-British and Foreign Bible Society219
Aug.4th-Quota to Diocesan Fund1142
"11th, 18th, 25th - Church Expenses486