On Monday 20th September the Bishop of Kingston conducted a service of induction for Richmond’s new Team Rector, the Reverend Canon Dr Robert Titley.

The service took place at St Mary Magdalene church in the centre of Richmond, in the presence of the Mayor of Richmond, local councillors and a congregation of more than 400.

The bells were rung for half an hour before the service

At 7:30pm, the Bishop began the service of Institution and Induction

Robert trained at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was ordained Deacon in 1983 and priested in 1986. His entire ministry has been in Southwark diocese. While Vicar of All Saints, West Dulwich Robert lead his congregation in a huge restoration project to rebuild their church after it was gutted by fire in 2000.

Canon Dr Robert Titley

Here are some photographs of the service

Speaking of Richmond, Robert said “if ever there were somewhere to show that Christian faith can be at home in the public square, Richmond is such a place: historical, political, commercial, educational, cultural and and recreational currents all converge here – and this on the threshold of a world city. But Richmond is above all a place that people call home, with a distinctive character and a clear centre of gravity…”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves, and we wish Robert a long and happy stay as the leader of Richmond’s Team Ministry in our home by the river.

P.S. see here for Revd Julian Reindorp’s retirement service last November

St Mary’s church in the centre of Richmond, Sunday evening 1st November 2009.

The church was full to overflowing for choral evensong, marking the retirement of Canon Julian Reindorp, who has been Rector of Richmond Team ministry since January 1992.

A fanfare started the service.

Long standing Richmond resident Lord (Alan) Watson attended, as did Richmond’s MP, Susan Kramer.

Julian was ordained deacon by the Rt Rev Trevor Huddlestone, Bishop of Stepney at All Saints, Poplar in December 1969.

Over the ensuing years he served as a parish priest in Poplar, Chatham and Milton Keynes before coming to Richmond in 1992.

For all those who have met him, Julian radiates energy, humanity, concern for others, openness and, yes, humility.

One of the most approachable people, and one who never stops working for others.

After the service came some brief speeches and a presentation of retirement gifts.

Lord Watson gave some words of thanks and appreciation for Julian’s work in Richmond.

As did Parish Warden Charles Stiller.

Julian always travels around his parish on a scooter, and one of his presents was a new crash helmet (which he proceeded to try on!)

Julian thanks his congregation.

And so concluded a beautiful ceremony, marking the retirement of a very well loved parish priest.

But he’s not going far – from mid-December Julian will be living in Teddington.

And we think it is certain we have not heard the last from one of the kindest, most public-spirited and hardest-working men that Riversniffers has ever met.

We wish him all the very best in his retirement.

Riversniffers witnesssed the ringing in of the New Year at Richmond Parish Church.

The bellringers gathered at the church of St Mary Magdalene (the one right in the centre of Richmond) shortly after 11:30pm. After unlocking the bell tower and sorting out positions etc. ringing started at 11:40pm.

At two minutes to midnight, the bells were stilled. Canon Julian Reindorp, Rector of Richmond, said a short prayer.

The earliest bells date from 1680.

And the earliest commemorative plaque dates from 1741.

From the instructions on the wall, you might think it would take 250 years just to work out how to do it.

But the team say it can be learnt quicker than that…

At 12.02  the ringing carried on, until ten past midnight.

After which all was stowed away.

And a toast was drunk to a great team effort.

The team, from left to right:

Barabara Hicks (ringer), Canon Julian Reindorp,  Tony Sweeney (guest),  David Neil (ringer), Diana Hamilton-Jones (ringer), Jackie Harrison (ringer), David Shaw (at front – guest), Andrew Howard-Smith (at rear – ringer), Sarah Percival (ringer), Reg Frary (ringer – Reg has rung in the New Year at Richmond Parish Church for every one of the last 54 years!), Ian Flint (guest)

Riversniffers was grateful to have witnessed the ringing-in. It helps to bring  our community together, and we are sure it brought cheer to all on the threshold of the New Year.

Well done to the bellringers of Richmond and long may their ancient tradition continue.