Book Launched in Ystradgynlais
Basil Jenkyns’ memoir “Hot Under The Collar: A Life in the Church”, published by Red Hawk Books, will be launched at two venues in Ystradgynlais this autumn.
“His memoir shows the extraordinary ability of a parish priest to transform communities.”
Emma Thompson – Save the Parish
The early chapters of “Hot Under The Collar” are a fascinating account of being raised on a hill farm above Cwmtwrch in the 1930s, an almost idyllic childhood, despite the widely shared hardships of the time. Then, in 1940, being sent to a Canterbury boarding school with Welsh as a first language and undiagnosed dyslexia.
With the help of a perceptive teacher, Basil was able to overcome his disadvantage and decided to enter the Church after degrees at Lampeter and Oxford. Although offers of preferment came along at regular intervals, his path was very much of the hardworking, devoted parish priest who actively sought out challenging ministeries in a vocation where no two days are ever the same.
As a young Curate in London he nurtured youth clubs, occasionally having to face down local gangsters in the process. In Bath, he led a council-estate congregation towards financial independence. In Lancashire he reunited feuding families. At Chard in Somerset, he reinvigorated a dwindling congregation, beautified the church and played a leading role in the town’s 750th anniversary celebrations of its Royal Charter.
He surrendered his place as a Prebendary of Wells Cathedral to rescue a Norfolk church from physically crumbling as the congregation squabbled over other matters. On the Worcestershire-Gloucestershire borders at Beckford, he worked on ways to make one of the earliest group-parishes retain communal relevance as resources were drawn away from parishes and local communities. Above all, he worked hard for individual parishioners’ needs and is widely remembered with great affection.
Through all of this, Basil never lost his forthrightness, tempered by personal warmth, compassion and a winning sense of humour, all vividly displayed in his memoir. He remained devoted to Wales, retiring to Caerbont in the mid-1990s where he regularly ministered in Tawe Valley churches as a substitute. Illness and a need for him and his wife, Jean, to be nearer their children obliged them to move to Suffolk in the 2000s.
“Hot Under The Collar” has received much attention recently, especially from the Save The Parish movement, as a guide to the value of a dedicated priest to all his or her parishioners.
Book Launch with Concert – St Cynog’s Church, Heol Eglwys, Ystradgynlais.
Friday 17th October – 7pm. Free Entry – Retiring collection.
Additional launch – The Welfare – Lesser Hall – Monday,10th November.
Free Entry – in association with The Josef Herman Foundation
By agreement with authors, some proceeds from all Red Hawk Media Ltd sales anywhere will be donated to the restoration of Sardis Chapel, Heol Giedd, Ystradgynlais, as an arts venue. The publisher will also support St Cynog’s Church and Gurnos Chapel, Ystalyfera, in their activities.
