At the conclusion of the evening service at the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Farnborough, on Sunday last, the parishioners assembled in large numbers upon the lawn of the Salesian College to do honour to Miss Mary Parish, who has just retired after 41 years of devoted service in St. Patrick's Elementary School.
At the gathering, presided over by Mr. George Davis, one of the oldest parishioners, Fr. F. Sutherland, S.C. (rector) was able to present Miss Parish, on behalf of the many subscribers, with a cheque for over £60, The Pope sent his Apostolic Benediction, whilst the Bishop of Portsmouth and the Rev. F. Dorran (Diocesan Religious Inspector) wrote in glowing terms of the wonderful work Miss Parish had done. It is a singular fact that during the 43 years of her service—easily a local record—she had never received an adverse report from any of H.M. Inspectors.
At a presentation earlier in the week the children of the Elementary School presented Miss Parish with a gold watch as a sign of their affection.