Published by St Paul’s & Hampton Park Churches for the Tupsley Community Tupsley Community Newspaper
TupsleyVoice
Issue 59 Autumn 2015
Delivered FREE to over 4000 homes in Tupsley
The Armstrong family in Borrowdale just before eldest sons Tim and David were married to Jenny and Alice Left to right: Tim, Jenny, David, Alice, Nick, Alison, Josh, Anna.
ST PAULS CHURCH WELCOMES ITS NEW VICAR AND FAMILY On Friday 4th September Revd. Prebendary Nick Armstrong will be installed as Vicar of the parishes of Tupsley and Hampton Bishop at a licencing service at St Paul’s Church led by the Bishop of Hereford. Nick Armstrong was previously the Rector of Alveley and Quatt near Bridgnorth, and the Rural Dean of Bridgnorth. Tupsley Voice was pleased to receive the following message and the above family photograph from Nick Armstrong for the Tupsley Community:“We’re so looking forward to meeting you as we join you from just south of Bridgnorth where we’ve been for over 18 years. Meanwhile we thought we’d introduce ourselves and our family. Nick’s upbringing was full of science/engineering and music. He seized the opportunity of a gap year after school with Plessey electronics, then reading physics at Bristol university, and back to work twelve years with Plessey - ending with their being taken over and relocating briefly to Devon... but other wheels were already in motion. Alison always knew she wanted to teach - and actually wrote it as her ambition aged 8. Although no longer teaching professionally now, she’s been able to use the skills for toddler, children’s and youth groups, school assemblies and of course bringing up 4 children. While working with Plessey, Nick had found a spiritual home in an active village Church just outside Milton Keynes. Five years in, Alison was applying for jobs on completing her B.Ed. She says she told God she’d happily go anywhere but... Milton Keynes! Arriving there as probationary teacher, we got to know each other through the vibrant life of the local church, and especially through leading a youth group together. We were married two years later in that church.
Four years on, with two children under 3, Nick heard that his department was to close due to Plessey being taken over. Soon after our wedding, we both knew that God was calling us together to something else in his service - but with no real clue what. With the news of closure, Nick jotted and considered many possibilities, and we even wondered if this was the nudge to an unknown mission adventure. In fact he was given a new job continuing some of his previous experience in microelectronics - now in Devon. But seeds had germinated in us, and amid the move, the last thing we suspected - becoming a vicar - was strongly confirmed in many different ways within a few weeks, although continuing for a year in Devon as the official process unfolded. Theological training took us to Bristol (Nick’s second spell, and also where Anna was born), and thence to 4 years curacy in Filey (and the blessing of Joshua our youngest). We all love the Lake District (where we’re writing this!), walking, exploring, family time, reading and messing around in boats. Nick continues to love music of many types, and plays oboe, and a little piano. The interest in science and engineering continues too, especially in discussion with faith matters. We also have a strong link with Nepal, through an orphanage and the friendships which have grown through many visits. And so to our children, who largely grew up in Alveley of course... Tim our oldest, (27), is married to Jenny. Jenny is a teacher, and Tim is full-time children’s minister at the Church in Peckham where he and Jenny met as interns and were married. Continued on Page 3
Tupsley Voice is a Community Newspaper published by St Paul’s and Hampton Park Churches, compiled and distributed by volunteers. Tupsley Voice does not accept any responsibility for the reliability or quality of the services provided by the advertisers. These adverts are a service which the publication provides for its reading public. Items for inclusion should be submitted to Tupsley Voice by e mail at tupsleyvoice@hotmail.co.uk. Printed by Impact Print & Design Ltd. Design & Layout by Douglas Kirkpatrick