The Vicarage,
6th October, 1930.

My Dear Friends,-

I have delayed the Magazine so that I might give in it the date for my leaving, but so far I have not been able definitely to fix this. We expect to go about the middle of November, but everything is at present uncertain, and I must not delay the Magazine longer.

When I came to Hartlip in February, 1923, it was with the hope that I might stay here until I was obliged to give up active work, but the experience of these seven years has shown that I am unable to stand the strong air here, and the keen winds which are so prevalent, especially in the early part of the year.

I am conscious of how much my work in this parish has been hindered by the long and frequent illnesses I have had, and the weakness that has followed them, and in justice to the parish as well as to my famiily I realise that I must leave, and go to live in a warmer and softer air. After thirty years work in the Canterbury Diocese it wll be a great break for me. I am hoping to find some suitable sphere of work in the West of England, but at present nothing can be settled.

You will well understand that it is a wrench to Mrs. Creaton and to me to leave the place where we have found so many friends, and received so much kindness, and to part from our house and garden, and our beautiful Church. We can only thank you for the welcome you gave us when we came to Hartlip, and for your friendship during the time we have been here.

In connection with the Church work I want to thank all those who have worked so harmoniously with me during these seven-and-a-half years - the Churchwardens and Sidesmen, the Organist, the Choirmaster and the members of the Choir, the Bellingers, the Sunday School Teachers, those who have served on the Church Council, those who have so well filled the offices of Verger and Caretaker and Sexton and Cleaner, and indeed all who have taken part in our united work for God and His Church. Names are too numerous to mention, but I may, without seeming invidious, mention one, Colonel Locke. I hope he will not be offended if I say publicly now I am leaving how grateful I am to him for all he has done to help me in sickness and in health. I can only venture to say this because of the prominent place he has taken in our church life, and it has meant so much to me as Vicar. Perhaps, too, Mrs. Creaton and I may be allowed to say here, how much we owe to Mrs. Locke and to Miss Faussett-Osborne for all their kind help and thought for us during these years.

It is a pleasure to me to remember two important improvements that have been made during my incumbency - the fitting up of the Lady Chapel with the new reredos and window there, and the enlargement of the churchyard and levelling of the old ground. I am glad that it has fallen to my lot to have had to do with these great improvements in Hartlip. For the present beautiful condition of the churchyard we owe so much to Mr. Luck, and I hope that for many years it may remain under his charge.

I feel that I ought not to write about leaving the parish without saying how deeply I regret the falling off of late in the congregations on Sunday evenings. Why is this? I wish I could leave without this regret, but I hope that a new start in regular attendance at Public Worship will be made by many who have lately got slack when a new Vicar comes. I am sure you will allow me to ask you to remember the great privilege and duty of the Public Worship of God and how He has given us the Sunday to be a day used particularly for this.

I hope to have the opportunity of writing again in the November Magazine, and that I may before then have been able to make definite plans for the future.

For the Harvest Festival the Church was beautifully decorated, the congregations were good, and the services bright and hearty.

The new bit of wall in the churchyard has been finished and paid for but I cannot yet give a statement of the account. Perhaps it can come in next month. The British Legion at their meeting on September 29th, kindly voted £5 from their funds towards the cost of the wall.

Our Council of Youth arranged a pleasant Social on October 4th. On the 15th October there is to be a Deanery Service for Youth in Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne, and it is hoped that many from our parish will attend it.

I remain,

Your sincere Friend and Vicar,
D. H. CREATON.

COLLECTIONS IN THE CHURCH.

£s.d.
Aug.31-Organ and Choir Fund11110
Sept.7-Quota to Diocesan Fund263
"14-Lebombo Mission1182
"21-Church Expenses1163
"28-Church Expenses1119
"29-Vicar's Fund010
Oct.5-St. Bartholomew's Hospital4104