Decimalisation, membership of the EEC, a ‘test tube’ baby, the ‘Winter of Discontent’, the first deaths in the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland (including Lord Mountbatten), the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and a woman Prime Minister… the 1970s was a decade of highs and lows.

 

 

The retirement of Rev Bateman in October 1977 was a low point for St Francis, but it was also a time for confidence building as volunteers stepped forward to ensure the smooth running of the church during the interregnum. Fortunately the period was short and in July 1978, the parish welcomed Rev John Pawson as the new priest-in-charge – a role he occupied for the next 25 years.

 

 

One of Fr John’s early acts was to standardise patterns of worship – and to begin the process of catering for the growing population on Meir Park, the former site of an aerodrome that closed in the early 70s.

 

 

Internal work to St Francis during this period included amplification equipment in 1971, glazing of open arches between chancel and Lady Chapel, and installation of the west window ‘Christ Triumphant’, also in 1971.