Pakefield Church’s Mothers’ Union meets from 2.00 – 3.30pm in the Church Hall on the third Thursday of each month. They are a friendly group of ladies (although men may also join).  They also host and lead the Living for Life course that we run as part of our marriage preparation course.  

PAKEFIELD MOTHERS’ UNION – PAKEFIELD BRANCH

Bea led the September meeting just a few days before the Autumn Equinox and began by drawing the attention of members to Rev Sharon’s leading article in this month’s Digest when she invited us to observe Creationtide…” a season of reflection and thankfulness for the wonder of God’s creation….”. It was fitting, therefore, that, at our meeting, we should celebrate Harvest Festival with familiar hymns and thankful prayers.

Our very own AWA – Alan Boyce – was our speaker and one of his hobbies is researching names and their origin/derivation and had researched the surnames of members.

SUMNER (Frances) perhaps originated from Oxfordshire with the surname derived from Anglo-Saxon word ‘Summoner’, an officer responsible for witnesses appearing in Court.

LAYTON (Sheila) is a variant of LEIGHTON, meaning a settlement/farmhouse.

SMITH (Karen) occupational name describing a worker in metal, especially in iron, such as a blacksmith.

BIRD (Roz) derived from old English word “BYRD”, referring to a bird. Alan’s favourite is Alfred Bird famous for custard!

VELLACOTT(Pat) – from the Anglo-Saxon word “cot” or a cottage.

CHAPPLE (Glynis) – occupational name likely to refer to someone who frequents markets.

COLEBY (Sue) various place names. A Norse word meaning coal/dark perhaps someone working in the Yorkshire region.

RAYNER (Bea) from German or France, in French means frog, appropriate as she absolutely adores frogs but doesn’t eat them!

HENWOOD (Jenny) ..strong links to Cornwall. Debatable, says Alan, but may mean old English wood or a religious community.

NEWBOLD (Ticia) derived from Old English name ‘Neowe’, one who lives in a new house.

ELLIS (Janet) name first found in Yorkshire and mentioned in Doomsday Book. Name has roots going back to early American settlers.

BERESFORD (Helen) ancient name of family living in Beresford, Staffordshire, descendent of Thomas Beresford who fought at Agincourt!

HAMMOND(Lorna) an Anglo-Norman name with origins from France and German meaning home or dwelling.

What of BOYCE (Wendy and Alan) our visitors and speaker.

Medieval English name probably from the French word ‘Bois’ meaning woodland. Thank you so much Alan for an interesting meeting, a small gift was given to enjoy later on.

We look forward to our next meeting in October.