What a happy occasion it was in St Martin’s Church on Tuesday 16th November, when the Parish and local clergy gathered to witness the Licensing of Revd Charles King. I’d had the pleasure of meeting Charles a few months earlier, and was delighted when I heard the news that he was to be appointed as Knebworth’s new Church of England Priest-in-Charge. Alongside the positivity I know Charles will bring to our community, I am excited at the renewed life he will bring to two of my top three special buildings in the Parish. Beautiful St Martin’s Church, originally designed by my great-great-uncle Edwin Lutyens, and finished by renowned Ampthill architect Albert Richardson in 1964 – albeit to a slightly simplified design than Richardson’s original one seen here, that we have framed in Knebworth House. And of course the oldest building in the Parish, beautiful St Mary’s Church in Knebworth Park, which I have the privilege and pleasure of looking at every day from my study desk. Indeed when I moved into my study 25 years ago and found myself in my desk chair looking at the sky and the top of the church’s flagpole, I built my desk and chair a carpeted plinth on which to sit so that lovely St Mary’s is now framed perfectly in my window. David, Chryssie, Martha and I extend the warmest of welcomes to Charles, Anka and Hannah and wish them every happiness for their new lives in Knebworth, as part of our community and our home. A very happy Christmas to all of our Knebworth neighbours,
Henry Lytton Cobbold
@HenryCobboldKH