ST. MARK'S PARISH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 5

ST. MARK'S PARISH

FAREWELL TO REV. V. C. VENIMORE

A large number of parishioners of St Mark's attended the farewell in the Parish Hall to the Rev. V. C. Venimore, who is leaving for England to take up work at / Thornton Heath, near IThe°vicar, the Rev. N. F. E. Robertshawe, presided, and said that though there was always a touch of sadness in saying farewell, yet he wished the gathering to be a really sociable one. He spoke appreciatively of Mr. _ Venimore's three years of service in the parish and of his sincerity in his work. He had never failed him and never caused him a moment's anxiety. Messrs. G. W. Barltrop and Chambers, the churchwardens,, referred to Mr. Venimore's willingness to undertake whatever work came to His hand and to his success with the young folk of the parish. His ties with St. Mark's were close in that his grandfather had been a member of the choir, his mother a Sunday school teacher, and his parents had been married in the parish church. The parishioners wished him a safe journey and a happy stay in. England. • • • ■ •■ . The vicar then presented Mr. Venimore with- cheques -on behalf of the vestry and the congregation. ■ / Mr. .Venirnore..,feelingly responded, thanking the parish for its gifts, and referred to the happy fellowship which he had met during'his. three years at St. Mark's. He could 'not; he said, have chosen for his first curacy, a better parish or a more helpful vicar. During the evening a short concert programme was contributed by Miss Gaudin and Messrs. H. Matthew and Robertshawe, Messrs. Watkins and Randall being the accompanists. Mrs. Martin-Williams and Miss Jones contributed recitations. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem concluded proceedings. Mr. Venimore preached his final sermon to a large, congregation on Sunday evening, and at the close bade his old parish a few words of final farewell. He leaves for England by the Tainui on Saturday.