Posted By: David W. Eardley (Audley) <DAVID@eardleyd.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2002, at 1:01 p.m.
Another wonderful occasion!! The weather was perfect, the church was full and representatives from many Eardley families were in attendance. Some had travelled great distances to be at the culmination of the Eardley families task to raise funds to restore the East Window in the church.
The service of dedication was led by the Reverend Peter Davies, Vicar of the Parish of Audley and commenced with the blessing of the marriage of Keith & Polly Eardley, son & daughter-in-law of Robert Jack Eardley, whose wedding had taken place the previous Saturday In Lexington, Kentucky. Polly looked wonderful in her wedding dress and I'm sure this was a 'first' for such a ceremony in the church.
Peter Davies then gave an address which centred on the window and went on to describe the messages that the pictures in the window portrayed. We then moved to the actual dedication ceremony and following a prayer of dedication, Robert Jack Eardley and Sir Richard Baker-Wilbraham (a descendant of the Reverend Charles Philip Wilbraham Vicar of Audley Parish in the mid nineteenth century, who was responsible for the raising of funds and provision of the original window) were called forward into the Chancel, to jointly uncover a brass plaque fixed by the window and which contains the following inscription:
'This window was restored with the support of the worldwide Eardley family to commemorate their millennial reunion organised by Robert Jack Eardley M.D. of Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A, and held at this church on Saturday 15th July 2000. Members of the Eardley family from around the world joined together for a service of rededication of the window, led by the reverend Peter Davies Vicar of this Parish, on Sunday 14th July 2002. NON NOBIS SOLUM (Not for ourselves alone)
Sir Richard then spoke briefly, during which, he praised the endeavours of the Eardley family and said that they had ensured a permanent memorial and connection of the Eardley name with the church and the village of Audley.
Following the service, tea was provided in the Church Hall and it gave us an opportunity to renew our acquaintances and friendships with the Eardleys who had travelled to Audley for the occasion. Sadly it was over all too quickly and we were soon wishing our visitors bon voyage and reminding them of our next event in Audley, on September 21st, when we shall be holding an auction to help raise additional funds to help cover the shortfall caused by unscheduled repairs to the stonework adjacent to the window. This became apparent following the removal of the window and has been caused by the ravages of the elements on the soft sandstone.
To date we have received over 100 lots for the auction which includes 3 copies of the book 'The Luck Of The Eardleys' by Sheila E. Braine generously donated by Carol & John Eardley from Fowey in Cornwall. Such is the interest that has been generated following the find of these books & in order to give as many Eardleys as possible the opportunity to bid for one of them, we will try & organise a facility for internet bids on this website - more of that later.
If you have any suitable items for the auction please call me on 01782-72 10 60 and also put the date in your diaries as we would like to see as many of you as possible on the day.
We would also be most grateful for any financial donations in aid of the extended fund. These may be sent to: The Administrator, St James' Church Parish Office, Church Street, Audley,Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordhire, ST7 8DE. Please make any cheques payable to 'The PCC Eardley Window Account Fund 94960003'
I will post another message specifically regarding the auction, following our next Eardley Group Meeting which will be held at the home of Mavis Fryer (nee Eardley) Lark's Rise, Alsager Road, Audley at 7.45pm on Wednesday 7th August.
David.