Church Memorial Gates

Transcribed by Sally Crane from “Evening Telegraph” 1972

A pair of wrought iron gates dedicated to the late Rev. R. W. Sharpley, former Rector of Burton Latimer, are to replace the existing main gates to the churchyard.

Mr. Sharpley. who was rector from 1937 to 1967, played a large part in getting the church restoration programme off the ground in 1957.

Churchwardens Mr. J. R. Loake and Mr. D. J. Ashby hope the church restoration will be complete by the late summer, and plan a thanksgiving service at the patronal festival on September 8th.

The gates will be dedicated at the service, in appreciation of his 30 years’ work in the parish.

Mr. Sharpley was ordained priest in 1924. He was curate at Newport Pagnell and Banbury, and later became Vicar of Gt Bourton and Cropredy until 1937 when he came to Burton Latimer.

A bachelor, he served in the First World War for four years, and was discharged, wounded.

A member of the Ancient and distinguished family of Lamplugh, Mr. Sharpley’s ancestor Thomas Lamplugh was Archbishop of York during the reign of Charles II. Several generations were clergymen and his brother Kenneth recently retired as Suffragen Bishop of Southampton.

His grandfather. Mr. C. E. Lamplugh, acquired the manorial rights of the Manor of Sutton, Surrey, in 1880 for £250, and received a goat every year from the people of Sutton.

When he died in 1905, Mr. Lamplugh left the manor to Mr. Sharpley’s uncle who in turn left it to Mr. Sharpley in 1955.

After the last war the old rectory at Burton Latimer was restored and Mr. Sharpley was able to furnish the house beautifully with antiques and works of art, many of them priceless family pieces and many times has opened his house to the public.

Mr. Sharpley served for many years on the Kettering and District Hospitals Management Committee and the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association.

He died on Easter Monday 1969 at his home in Little Oakley.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Rev. R. W. Sharpley Memorial Gates Fund, should contact Mr. Ashby at Regent House, Regent Road, Burton Latimer.

Article from local newspaper 1972 transcribed by Raylee Burton

When the new gates at Burton Latimer Parish Church were opened yesterday evening, it was also the opening of a new lease of life for the building.

The dedication of the gates was part of a weekend festival to mark the completion of the church restoration programme.

The 15 year programme costing about £20,000, included new beams, replacing the electrical system.

Said Rector of Burton Latimer, the Rev. Derek Hole: “It is a great relief that it is all over.  The congregation has always given generously and things have been moving pretty fast since I arrived five years ago.”

After a special confirmation service at the church, the gates – a copy of those around the tomb of the Black Prince in Canterbury – were blessed by Bishop Kenneth Lamplugh, former Bishop of Southampton.

They were dedicated to the bishop’s late brother, the Rev R. W. Sharpley, who was rector at Burton Latimer from 1937 to 1967.

The gates made of wrought iron, cost £465. They were designed by Wellingborough architect Mr. Stanley Woodrow.

Yesterday evening a flower festival dedicated to the church’s patron saint, Mary the Virgin, was also opened.

Church members have been busy all week setting out 15 floral arrangements depicting the lives of women of the Bible. The festival continues tomorrow and Monday.

This evening the church is the venue for a concert by the World Champion GUS (Footwear) Band of Kettering. And tomorrow morning, there is a service of thanksgiving and dedication conducted by Canon Eric Turnbull of Worcester.