Early in the 1950’s, it became apparent that Wayside could prove a great investment over and above its obvious advantages as a church house. Eventually, in 1955, Wayside was purchased by the church for £4175 and did in fact become a very useful adjunct to St. James’s.

For many years it was the meeting place of the PCC, the Sunday Schools, the Young People’s Fellowship and many church-related groups such as the Mothers’ Union, the Young Wives and the Tuesday Club, the Young Families Group, and the Wayside Monday Centre (a counselling service), not to mention several other local Associations and groups. When Parish Breakfasts were introduced, we used to go over to Wayside on Sunday mornings and there enjoy rolls and butter and marmalade (!) organised by Margaret Leatherdale.

Wayside has meant a great deal of work for the Properties Committee under Bill Robinson and then Jack Gostling, and throughout the period of nearly forty years of church ownership, Bob Salisbury, who died recently, was Wayside Treasurer. Initially Doris and Russel Warwick were responsible for looking after it, and a number of people, including Ruth Gostling, Roma Bridges and Stella Walker have served as Wayside Supervisor, and Bill Robinson was still helping out in a practical way until quite recently.

For various reasons, the church decided a year or two ago to sell Wayside, and it was finally sold earlier this year. It is good to know that, under its original country-sounding name, Wayside has once more become a family home, and we welcome the new owners, Ann and Steve Croft, and their children Joseph and Poppy, and wish them every happiness among us.

Source: Margery Orton, The Spire Magazine - 1993 June