St Michael's Church

A Memory of Aveley.

I remember Father McNeice, Father Randall and Father Preston as vicars at St Michael's church in Aveley. My Mother Mary Archer was the church clerk at St Michael's for many years from the 50s. She also did some cleaning there, was a member of the Mothers Union and ushered at weddings and funerals so I spent much of my early childhood in the church and it's grounds. I used to love spending time with Mrs Plumridge (Plum) who had the sweet shop opposite the church. She tended a flower display in the church by the memorial to those who 'fell' during the war which she refreshed each Saturday. She would take me with the recycled flowers to place them on her husband's grave. I believe he may have been a victim of the war.
Some of the locals referred to my mum as the 'church lady' My sister sang in the church choir. As I got older I was allowed to sweep up the confetti after the Saturday weddings. In those days there were as many of seven weddings on a Saturday.
I was christened, confirmed and married at the church, my son was christened there too. Both my sisters were married at St Michael's and my mum wrote all of our wedding certificates in her beautiful script.
Now my parents remains are in the graveyard beside the church where my mother spent so much of her time.