Dave and Carol Richards, veteran champions of community rights in Newham, are moving on after 31 years at St John’s Church in Stratford.
They will hold final services at St John’s on Sunday 5th September at 11am and 6pm and are inviting everyone to join them. They will retire to Dorset, where they expect to continue ministry at their local church.
Dave and Carol arrived at St John’s — “The Big One in the Middle”– at Stratford in 1990. At the time the church was struggling, with a small congregation and a backlog of repairs to the building.
Today it is home to a large congregation, one of the most diverse in London, with about 55 nationalities represented, and the building has become a major base for community meetings. It has hosted large events, in partnership with others, such as the 2018 World Cup Large screen, the 2012 Olympic Community festival, and the annual Love Stratford event.
The couple have been dedicated community activists. Carol has been a board member of every Regeneration group in Stratford Town Centre, starting with Stratford City Challenge in 1992, and continuing to the Stratford Original BID.
Dave has been a school governor, part of the Westfield Chaplaincy Team, has hosted the Local Police Ward Panel, and was a founder member of the Greater Carpenters Neighbourhood Forum, challenging Sir Robin Wales’ plans to demolish the Carpenters Estate.
They said: “We have loved every minute of our time at Stratford. We have seen it grow and develop into an amazing place. We will miss the vibrant church and the diverse community. We have been so lucky to work with such wonderful people.”
It will take about 9 months to appoint a new Vicar at St John’s, but, meanwhile, Rev. Robert Otule, Associate Vicar, will be in charge.
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