We write to share our farewell to a great Friend of St David’s, and to take this moment to share the wonderful upcoming events that have been made possible by that friend, and by you, who support the Trust’s work.

GOODBYE TO A GREAT FRIEND OF ST DAVID'S

Today we bid farewell to Tony, Lord Farrow, a brave and loyal Friend of St David’s.

It was in September 2014 that Tony, together with Heather, Lady Farrow, stepped up, at considerable personal cost, to save St David’s from certain demolition. This involved Tony’s resignation as an Elder of St David’s, and his and Heather’s departure from the church where they were married in September 1961.

53 years of connection ended at his beloved church, in order to support the Trust’s work.

As a result of the newspaper article below, a structural engineer by the name of Craig Stevenson, now a Trustee, was inspired to reach out and to personally inspect the building to establish its actual condition.

Lord Farrow was born in England and attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the Sherwood Foresters, before coming to New Zealand in 1956. He was a member of the Auckland Officers’ Club, and he and Lady Farrow were patrons of ChildFund New Zealand.

We honour the life of Lord Farrow, and express our deepest sympathy and gratitude to Lady Farrow and family.

East and Bays Courier_Stuff.co.nz. November 26, 2014

SAVE THE DATES

Please save the dates and times for these two historic events in October and November. Invitations to follow.

AUCKLAND SAPPERS' DAY
@St David's - the Soldiers' Memorial Church

Join the Sappers / Royal New Zealand Engineers and members, current and retired, of the NZDF for this historic, multi-faith, musical remembrance service, and witness the first illumination of the Lamp of Remembrance, in the newly restored Sappers’ Memorial Chapel. Suitable for all the family (includes activities for children).

As the kaitiaki (guardians) of St David’s Memorial Church, we are thankful to be able to honour the continuation of this tradition that dates back to 1927.

We will remember them.

Mark the date -
Sunday 15 October
10.30 – 11.30am

ARMISTICE DAY

and launching The Art of Remembrance 2023

Join us to celebrate peace, hear the incredible voices and music of a new generation, and be present for the launch of a new, Art of Remembrance series of artworks. The theme of the artwork will be… peace and hope for the future. The artwork is currently under wraps, but more will be revealed, very soon! The artwork release will also support fundraising for the illumination of the Great Hall, as we work to open the doors for good.

Mark the date -
Saturday 11 NOVEMBER
6pm

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS

Hearty congratulations to David Reeves who is the new director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. David is wearing Te Tonga Whetu o te Rangi, Southern Star by Warwick Freeman, the lapel-pin remembrance artwork that launched the consciousness-raising campaign which saw St David’s recognised as a Category A Historic Heritage Place.

Auckland Museum is home to Te Pourewa Whakamaharatanga The Tower of Remembrance, installed in 2016 to mark the special relationship between the War Memorial Museum and the War Memorial Church.

JOIN KĀHUI ST DAVID'S ON SOCIAL MEDIA

While the building will always be St David’s Memorial Church, its historic doors are now open to Kāhui St David’s, centre for music and community.

“Kāhui” means “the gathering”, and honours the Scottish heritage of the place, and its role as a place of connection for all.

Please join Kāhui St David’s on social media, and keep an eye out for future invitations that relate to its musical activities. Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū (“gathering place of the heavenly trumpets”) also continues, with a focus on the heritage and conservation of the Soldiers’ Memorial Church.

GIFT

Big thanks to Rosie Ashby for not only giving the Trust a beautiful dining table and antique chairs, but for her personal delivery service to the door!

Thanks to Rosie, and also to John Morrow, Trust Secretary, hands on deck for unloading the chairs.

WINDOW RESTORATION

We are thankful to the Stout Trust for making possible the restoration of two of the soaring leadlight windows.

The Good Shepherd leadlights have been restored by A Touch of Glass, and Limeworks is now completing the restoration of the Oamaru stone.

THANK YOU

Finally, thanks to you for your ongoing interest in the project, and for your support.