St Mary's North North Mymms, Hertfordshire 1983 - 1986

We, (David & Pat), arrived at St Mary's North Mymms, Hertfordshire in September 1983 as newly ordained in the Anglican Church and newly married. We moved into 21 Bulls Lane and David settled into work as the curate of St Mary's Church while Pat worked at Hertford County Hospital as a Physiotherapist.

It was not long before we set up a youth group, (SMYF - St Mary's Youth Fellowship), mainly with members of the church choir. Before long the group grew and that is when Susan joined as a teenager. SMYF soon gelled and expanded. Once a week they all crammed into our small house in Bulls Lane for chat, refreshments and fellowship. Susan found a place to be and became part of the core group. She would regularly turn up to meetings and things we organised despite not being familiar with the Anglican Church. She always joined in with discussions and bible study and contributed her 'faith view' articulately. We were involved with 'Youth For Christ' in Hatfield and often went to evenings arranged by them. Susan along with her brother was involved with the Hockey Team we organised and she was politely competitive!  

One Christmas we arranged for the youth group to decorate a window display in the church. The Flower Arrangers from the church were very talented and were not initially happy about allowing the youth group to do a window. However Susan and the group threw themselves into the task and produced a wonderful display entitled "Happy Birthday Jesus'. The youth group also worked hard at producing drama for the Church services and youth gatherings and one memorable production was "Away With The Manger."

SMYF went away together and Susan was part of the trip to Chellington in Bedford, the Diocesan youth centre in a converted church.

Before we left Pat became pregnant and the group all guessed the birth date and birth weight of the baby. Rebecca was born on 14th April 1986 and weighed 8 lb 1/2 oz. She is now 35 years old with two children of her own!

We look back on our time in North Mymms and give thanks for Susans involvement and friendship. Susan's faith was strong and active and she was central to all that went on with the youth group. We knew then whatever she did in the future Jesus would be central in her whole life.