ChadNet – no 272

ChadNet – no 272 – Sunday 8th June 2025

ChadNet - the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull

Welcome to this week’s edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.

In this week’s ChadNet:

View from the Pews

Jane Horton

Every time I come to church I see a rather handsome stone angel standing against the south wall of the church. Closer inspection reveals that it carries an inscription, partly obscured by a stone pot. I can just make out “Houses of Parliament” and “MP”.

My curiosity is aroused. How did it get from the Houses of Parliament to Pattingham? And who was the MP involved in its transportation? What was his connection with Pattingham church?

The church website clarifies matters to an extent. “Against the south wall of the church is an angel bust from the Houses of Parliament donated by Geoffrey Mander, MP for Wolverhampton South East”.

But who exactly was Geoffrey Mander, and how did he come into possession of a stone angel from the Houses of Parliament, I wonder.

The stone angel

I set off down an online rabbit hole, digging for information. It appears that Sir Geoffrey Mander (1882-1962) was the owner of Wightwick Manor. His father Samuel Theodore, known as Theodore, commissioned the building of the house on Wightwick Bank in 1887, and a year later he moved his young family there from a semi detached house in Wolverhampton. In 1884 he had attended a lecture in Wolverhampton by the playwright and poet Oscar Wilde, entitled ‘The House Beautiful’. The talk inspired him to create the beautiful interiors of Wightwick, filled with the William Morris wallpapers and William de Morgan ceramics he adored. In 1900 Theodore died suddenly at the early age of 47, when Geoffrey was only 18 years old. This was followed by the loss of his mother Flora only 5 years later, meaning that Geoffrey assumed the responsibilities of the estate very young. The construction of the house was completed by 1893, but Theodore’s untimely death left more to be done. So it is in large part that we owe thanks to Geoffrey for the magnificent art collection and the beautiful gardens at Wightwick.

From the Wightwick website I learned that Geoffrey rescued various bomb damaged fragments from the House of Commons, including two stone crowns from the pinnacles of Big Ben, used as ornaments in the garden. Perhaps he acquired the Pattingham angel at the same time? Further investigation confirmed that the Palace of Westminster was indeed damaged in air raids on 14 different occasions during World War 2, including severe damage in 1941 when the Commons Chamber and the Members Lobby were completely gutted. Stone was sold to raise funds for charitable causes. Rebuilding wasn’t completed until 1950, so the traditional style Commons Chamber and Members Lobby that we see today are actually modern replacements.

Sir Geoffrey was chairman of the family company, Mander Brothers. From its relatively modest beginnings in 1773, within a hundred years the company had become a world leader in the manufacture of varnishes, paints and printing inks. The Mander family was known for its involvement in both religion and politics, especially in the Wolverhampton area. They were prominent non conformists, and politically radical Liberals, often supporting religious and social reform efforts. They became renowned for their public service, art patronage and philanthropy. Theodore was Mayor and chief magistrate of Wolverhampton at the time of his death. Geoffrey built a reputation for being deeply interested in the welfare of his own employees, and indeed in everything that touched on the human side of industry. Manders was the first company in the country to introduce the forty hour working week, in 1932, as well as implementing a pension scheme, an employees’ shareholding scheme, and many other benefits. As an MP he was hugely respected, and when, as a Liberal MP, he lost his seat in the Labour landslide of 1945, it was agreed by many that he genuinely was a great loss to the House Of Commons.

And what about the final question, Geoffrey’s connection with Pattingham? When I was researching an earlier VFTPs, I found that a Samuel Small Mander had established a Congregational chapel in Pattingham in 1872. I now discovered that he was in fact Geoffrey’s grandfather. But that connection seemed rather tenuous. I turned to the Wolverhampton History and Heritage website, where I learned that in 1900 Geoffrey’s father, S T Mander, died on 14th September and was interred in Pattingham on 18th September. That would give Geoffrey a very good reason to donate our stone angel. The final piece of the puzzle had slotted nicely into place.

In 1937 Sir Geoffrey secured the future of Wightwick Manor and its collection by presenting it to the National Trust, along with an endowment of 20,000 Manders shares. We have much to thank him for.”

Jane Horton

Would you like to write a View from the Pews?

We welcome contributions for View from the Pews from anyone who would like to write one. It does not need to be on any particular subject. If you would like to write one please send it to or contact Henry Ibberson ( / 01902 701136).

.Contacts

We do not have a Vicar at the moment. For matters which would normally be dealt with by the Vicar the churchwardens are the first point of contact. The Vicarage phone (01902 700257) is redirected to the churchwardens. When they are not available a message can be left on the voicemail and they will return the call when they are available. Emails to will be received by the churchwardens.

Contact details for church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website. You can use if you are nore sure who to contact and the churchwardens will be able to forward it to the correct person.

Notices, which should be received by Friday afternoon for inclusion in that week’s ChadNet, and other communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to

Articles for the magazine should be sent to (note – this is different to the address used before November 2020 which no longer works).

Sunday 8th June – Pentecost – Whitsunday

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion including the baptism of Rosie Halliwell, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 6.30 pm there will be aService of Evensong, led by Iain Coleman, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Nurton Hill Road, Holyhead Road, County Lane, High Park.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Michael & All Angels, Himley.

This week

The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.

On Tuesday Prayers for Peace will be said in church at 6 pm. Please do join us and if you would like more information or are willing to lead a session, please contact Mary Hayward ().

On Wednesday at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.00 am as a Place of Welcome when anyone who wants to will be welcome to share in the coffee, cake and chat, whether they have been to the service or not. Those attending will receive a warm welcome.

At 6 pm on Wednesday the Pattingham Shower Singers meet in church. All are welcome – just come and sing and have fun! If you need more information, contact Alix at .

At 7 pm on Wednesday Choir Practice takes place in church. Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Martin Fox or any member of the choir.

Wednesday is the copy date for the July magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at

On Friday Mary Hayward is taking donations to the Ukraine Refugee Centre. See below for details.

Sunday 15th June – Trinity Sunday

At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church.This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Sue Watson, to which you are all most welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those members of the congregation who live outside the parish.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
The Church at Perton.

Ukraine Refugee Centre

Mary Hayward will be taking donations to the Ukraine Refugee Centre on Friday (13th June).

There will be a box at the back of Church for any donations or contact Mary at or 01902 700744.

Suggested donations:

  • Ladies Clothes
  • Children’s Clothes from 4 years old
  • Good quality toys
  • Toiletries
  • Unwanted gifts (to serve as raffle prizes)
  • Small household items
  • Towels and tea towels

Thank you.

ChadART

Enjoy painting, drawing, printing or mindful colouring?

We are starting a new Art Club at St. Chad’s where people can come and socialise as they create.  Bring along your own projects and materials.  While there is no formal teaching, I am sure we will all enjoy sharing our own expertise and ideas.  Everyone is welcome.

Please come and join us at the back of church.  We will be there on Friday afternoons from 2pm-4pm, starting 20th June.  Tea and coffee will be available. If you have any questions, please contact Jo Bramall on (07977) 007537.

Coming up …

Reminders of events in the next few months which have been in previous editions of ChadNet.

Let’s Pray Together

Trysull Deanery Summer Evening of Prayer with Bishop Tim
Friday 20th June from 7 to 10 pm at Christ Church, Church Road, Tettenhall Wood, WV6 8NQ

Village Fete – Saturday 5th July – 12 to 4 pm

Volunteers to bake cakes are needed – sign the sheet at the back of the church. If you are able to help in another way please contact Keith or Alix (email: ).

Concert by the Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir – Saturday 12th July at 7.00 pm

Tickets £15 per adult includes a glass of Prosecco or non-alcoholic drink
Children under 16 FREE if accompanied by a paying adult
Box Office: Contact 07757 688518 or

Licensing of our new Vicar – Sunday 10th August at 4 pm

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

Everyone at the Well is extremely grateful for the gifts of cash and goods which are donated regularly. At present there is a particular need for the following items:

  •     Tinned tomatoes
  •     UHT Milk
  •     Male toiletries
  •     Custard
  •     Noodles
  •     Tinned Vegetables

Project leaders, Gary and Caroline Price, will be speaking at our Family Service on Sunday 6 July.

Again many thanks for your support.

Alan Smith

If you wish to know more about the work of The Well, or would like to know how you can support it in other ways, do look at their website <www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2024-25

Lord, as doubt and the perplexity of daily life
become even more confusing and uncertain,
thank you for being always present and gently
guiding and protecting me.
Thank you for family and friends who continue to
Love, support and encourage me without judgement
or disdain.
I pray that I may always be aware of your loving, guiding
Presence in this life and that I will come to meet with you in the next.
Amen

(This prayer was taken from “Share a Prayer” for Dementia Awareness week 2023. Prayer written by Ann Shepherd, a Deacon in the Methodist Church who lives with dementia.)

If you would like to suggest (or write) a prayer for inclusion in this series please let Tracey Williams, our Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator, know.

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 1st and 15th June.

Thomas Caddick – 1st June 1998
Harry Kibble – 1st June 2002
Stuart Gerard Bowley – 5th June 1975
Gerald Giles – 5th June 2002
Gunter Hanns Jonat – 6th June 1983
Jean Beryl Shelley – 6th June 2011
William Bull (Bill) – 6th June 2015
Nellie Elizabeth Warrilow – 9th June 1967
Henry Parkes – 9th June 1989
Violet Agnes Davies – 11th June 1992
Gwendolyn Mary Pellow – 11th June 2010
Geraint Samuel Jones – 12th June 2013
Annie Parton – 13th June 1987
Gerald Victor Rowley – 14th June 1993
Frederick Seymour Toy – 15th June 1971
Ian Brian Price – 15th June 1973
Winifred Jane James – 15th June 2006
Audrey Wilhelmina Rose – 15th June 2022

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.

Giving to the church

Details of the various ways in which you can give can be found on the Giving page of the website.

We have a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at www.justgiving.com/pattingham-church. You will be asked if you want to make a contribution on top of your donation. If you do it will go to JustGiving and not to charity. If you do not want to make such a contribution select “other”. If you are a taxpayer please consider gift aiding your donation.

You can make a bank transfer to our bank account (Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 Account No: 50655023).

If you are paying by cheque please make the cheque payable to “Pattingham PCC” or “Pattingham Parochial Church Council“.

ChadNet

This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 142 subscribers but there may still  be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive it. The weekly bulletin for each Sunday will normally be sent on the preceding Friday or Saturday. Additional bulletins may be sent if required. It is only being sent to those who have requested it.

If you know of anyone who might be interested please tell them about it and ask them to sign up using the form on the website (www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/chadnet/sign-up-to-chadnet/) or by email to

St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604