And the cake is cut.   It is difficult to believe that this is the end of Fr Jamie's seven years with us.   We have all appreciated the spiritual guidance and the support he has given us.    He has been able to relate so well to everyone in the parish, especially to the young and the elderly. With his good humour and his easy manner he has helped to unite the Parish, and he has ensured that both Lymington and Brockenhurst parishioners were able to receive the Sacraments regularly.   We shall miss him very much.   Here is Ros's tribute:

MUST YOU GO?

Of our dear Parish Priest, we hear

We are to be deprived,

Despite your seven years, it seems

You’ve only just arrived.

We’ve only just got used to you,

Oh, this is such a blow,

We’re on our knees and begging here,

Dear Jamie, must you go?

If we had our way, you’d stop here,

Without you we can’t cope,

We’ll protest to the Bishop and

The Cardinal, the Pope,

We’ll blockade the Cathedral,

Take the Vatican by storm,

What, move you on without our say!

Well, I call that bad form!

What do you know of your new place?

Is there a golf course there?

And if so, is it good enough?

Without one you’d go spare.

And has it got a football team.....

Hey, I’ve got an idea,

We’ll come with you to Abingdon,

And they can come down here.

If you stay, here we’ll buy you

The best golf clubs, solid gold,

A super silver hipflask, full,

In case the game gets cold.

We’ll throw in a new sports car,

And we’ll keep you in cigars,

We are not going to let you leave,

Because, you see, you’re ours!

Joking apart, we’re gutted,

And we don’t want you to go;

To put it bluntly, you’re the best,

And we’ll all miss you so.

I suppose we’d be in trouble

If we kept you here by force,

So we’ll pretend you’re coming back,

That you’re just on a course.

by  Ros Brundrett