St. Martin's Church

The origins of the present building date back to the second half of the 13th Century,
although extensive re-building took place in the 19th Century. An interesting list of
incumbents from 1284 to the present day can be found in the entrance porch. A more
detailed history of the church, called Aelle's Field, is also available there, price £1
written by The Rev. Tom Kime, a former Rector.

1st and 3rd Sundays
8.00 am		Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
4th Sunday
11.15 am		Family Service
5th Sunday
Service is at 11am St. Andrew’s, Farleigh Wallop.

Clive was trained for the Church at Salisbury and Wells Theological College and following ordination he spent several years in various parishes including Chandler’s Ford, so he was no stranger to Hampshire. At that time he sported a full ginger beard but that had to go when, in 1984 he joined the RAF as a Chaplain.

His military career included a time based in Germany from where he was sent on detachment to the first Gulf War and also to the Falklands, though after that conflict was over. Later on he volunteered for a tour in Bosnia, in as near front line duties as Chaplains are allowed, during the most active part of the civil wars when our forces were engaged in ‘peace-keeping’ duties.

He recounted one of his hairier moments when he and his driver went slightly off course and found themselves at an unexpected road-block, manned by heavily armed combatants. Chaplains, of course, do not even carry side-arms and the driver, whilst armed, was otherwise occupied with keeping the vehicle on the road.

‘What now Padre?’ says the driver. ‘Smile and pray!’ was the rejoinder.

Since he lived to tell the tale, his faith in the power of prayer was obviously well placed.

His military background (not to mention Pauline’s laundering skills) ensured that he was always immaculately turned out in his fine collection of Chasubles & Stoles for every occasion, his RAF one complementing the military precision of the British Legion Parade at the annual Remembrance Day Services in Dummer.

A tireless recruiter there was never a year during his incumbency when there were no candidates for confirmation. He must have clocked up an impressive number of adults and children alike.

Part of his time was designated to be away from the Parish, promoting tourism for Hampshire churches and he was responsible for the production of an illustrated book describing them.

He became a governor of Cliddesden School and was later elected Chairman of the Governors. The photograph shown, which is Pauline’s favourite, is known as his ‘school photo’ and was taken in 2002.

Being a sociable man he soon picked up an Ellisfield tradition of the incumbent becoming involved with village entertainments. Who can forget his performance in a grass skirt or the more staid debut he made the year before at the Ellisfield Harvest Supper entertainment in ‘Master of the House’?

Sadly, his final performance as Santa Claus in ‘The Night Before Christmas’ last year did not involve the use of his fine singing voice, a priceless asset to any congregation, especially when the numbers were down.

Never one to stand on his dignity, unless you really irritated him! he was on at least one occasion a target for wet sponges at Dummer Fête and when some years ago he was instructed to lose some weight, he did it with maximum publicity. Starting out as the Vanishing Vicar, he was incautious enough to say that someone had called him the ‘Porky Pastor’ and the name stuck.

The proceeds from his efforts were donated to each individual parish for a charity of their choice.

Clive leaves his widow Pauline and their two sons Andrew and Simon with grandchildren Effie and Hugo and his mother Molly, who was well-known to many of us from her visits to the Rectory. To all of them, particularly Pauline, the Parish offers its heartfelt sympathy in their sudden and shocking bereavement.