The Visit to Saltfleetby of Dr. M Carr-Gregg and Family from Australia.
In October 2003 our webmaster received an e-mail from Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg in Australia requesting information about his grandfather, the Rev. Carr-Gregg, who was the vicar of Saltfleetby St. Clements from 1922 to 1962.
Photographs of Mrs Carr-Gregg, the Old Rectory, The Grave of the Rev. and Mrs Carr-Gregg in St. Clement’s Churchyard, Fred Westerman’s Wedding and the Christening of Audrey Hunt’s son at St Botolph’s Church at Skidbrooke, at which Rev. Carr-Gregg officiated, were duly despatched via e-mail.
Michael never met his grandfather, but had always had a wish to one day visit the place where his grandfather spent so much of his life.
That wish was finally fulfilled on Saturday 23rd.September 2006 when along with his wife Therese and son Rupert he was welcomed into the village by Colin and Eve Vickers.
A hearty lunch was enjoyed at the 'Prussian Queen' and then it was only a short ride down the road to St. Clements church, now redundant and in use as an office. This is where Sylvia our webmaster met with them and thanks go to Mr. Guy Williams (the owner of St Clements Church) for turning out in the afternoon to open the church for the special visitors, and giving them an historical tour of the building.
Many photographs were taken inside the church and then in the graveyard, the most moving photo was one of the whole family alongside the grave of the Rev. and Mrs. Carr-Gregg, taken by Sylvia.
 Michael, Therese and Rupert next to the grave of Reverend and Mrs Carr-Gregg |
 The Rev. Carr-Gregg Conducting a Christening at St Botolph's Church, Skidbrooke. |
Sylvia walked with Michael and Rupert to view the Old Rectory (the home of their Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, respectively). Sadly the family were not allowed to enter the grounds of the Old Rectory by the owners for any photos to be taken of them in the gardens.
Sylvia and Guy bid their farewells. Colin and Eve then accompanied the family along Church Lane to the home of Eileen and Norman Borrill. Norman had known the Rev. Carr-Gregg from boyhood and was able to relate many stories, some of which showed a completely different side to the man who was considered by most villagers to be rather eccentric. Here was a man who advocated the union of Anglicans and Methodists, and was not afraid to let his views be known. Surely this was a man years before his time!
After a most delicious afternoon cup of tea and biscuits provided by Eileen, it was time to say farewell to our visitors, who said a big 'Thank you' to all who had helped to make the day such a success.
Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg who is one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists has written several books, founded the worlds first national teenage cancer patients support group 'CanTeen' and works at the Albert Road Centre for Health in Melbourne. He is also a regular contributor to three Australian magazines