A Tribute to Douglas and Jo Loveridge

Doug, Jo and their boys moved into the Parish just after Easter 1988. Now they have moved on: Douglas is returning to Hospital Chaplaincy (at R.B.H.) for which he has been yearning for a while, Jo is to be Vicar at St. Mary the Virgin, Burghfield and Thomas will, presumably, soon be joining Jon and Peter at university.

How the years have flown and how they will be missed, writes Mary Langdown, Church Warden, St. Nicholas. They leave behind memories of a couple who cared for people, who would find time to talk to others, listen to their problems and share in their joys.

About eighteen months ago this concern for others caused Doug to join the County's Emergency Response team, ready for any catastrophe; it was he who called a meeting of local clergy following September 11th tragedy in America.

Despite these outside interests, Doug has always put his duties to the Parish first. He has a wonderful rapport with children and delighted in his weekly visits to St. Nicholas school. He made similar contacts with Winnersh Primary and Forest schools. This interest extended to him being a valued school governor of St. Nicholas.

His love of children caused him to create the "Cry of Praise" services for the under-5s of the parish at St. Mary's, Winnersh, and he conducted many special services during his fourteen years with us; for families with special anniversaries, Scouts & Guides Carol Service, the New Millennium Service and quiet prayers following September 11th. More recently, he introduced a Morning Praise service (2nd Sunday of the month) and a Modern setting of the Holy Communion (4th Sunday of the month)

Jo has served the Parish well, too. Firstly, supporting Doug as his wife, then teaching at Forest school before answering a long felt call to enter the ministry herself. For the past two years she has been curate at St. Peter's Earley. Apart from encouraging Jo, Doug has also nurtured John Hadjioannou and David Webster as they, too, entered the ministry.

A leaving party was held at St. Mary's, Winnersh, on 25 January, when Doug was presented with a stole from India, a collection of photographs covering events of the past fourteen years, a commissioned painting of St. Nicholas, a bottle of wine made from elderberries from the churchyard, a pot of spring flowers and a cheque to help him purchase anything he may require in his new post. Jo was given a large pot of plants including all the ecumenical colours, which was particularly welcome as their pots had broken during the move!

We wish all the family well as they answer their new callings and I will finish with quoting Doug at the end of the party: "It is usual to extend a welcome to former parishioners to the new place of ministry, but, in my case, I would much rather NOT see you there!" The message of caring for us is still there.