The Ashton Family
by Doris Ashton
The Ashton family became members of All Saints Anglican Parish when we moved to Cochrane in December of 1974.
At that time, Canon Hill was rector of the parish and he and his wife Frances were our first friends and made us feel welcome in our new church. When Canon retired, Tom was his last Rectors Warden, and our eldest son John was his last server.
Our three children, John, Mark and Sandra, were all confirmed at All Saints Church by Bishop Morse Goodman. John was prepared in 1976 by Canon Hill, Mark by David Asher in 1979, and Sandra by Bishop Ford in 1982.
Tom served in many capacities in the parish, first as secretary-treasurer and envelope secretary for over ten years. Over the years, he was a member of Vestry, Church Warden, Parish Auditor, sidesman and communion assistant. Together with Dave Whittle of the United Church, he started up the inter-church curling bonspiel in the late seventies. It still carries on at present.
An interesting situation came to light when Tom applied in the 80s for a provincial government matching grant to repair the church roof and refinish the floor. It was then discovered that the church lot was still registered as being owned by the CPR who had donated it to the church in 1902. A copy of the CPR land record was obtained from the archives at the Glenbow Museum. David Anderson, a lawyer and parishioner, corrected the problem. The church received $5,000 to match parish donations received for the repairs.
Tom also organized some fun Church campouts during the years that David Asher, Richard Lemmon and Bishop Ford were our incumbents. Peter Hunziker was a great boon to these outings, and was responsible for many delicious suppers.
We remember the great times we had on the Butters' ranch when many parishioners would gather to cut Christmas trees. Wendy and Eric's warm hospitality allowed us to have nice get-togethers in their quonset for refreshments to end the day. Church picnics are also a great memory from those early years. Everyone from the young to the gracefully aged attended if they could possibly make it.
Doris was also involved in various parish endeavours. Being on the telephone committee was a great way of becoming familiar with other members of the parish. Secretary—Treasurer to the ACW followed that, and she also served on the Altar Guild. When the office of Treasurer and Envelope Secretary was split, Doris carried out the duties of Envelope Secretary for a few years. Being a Sunday School teacher for a time was a tricky endeavour as we shuffled from the Community Hall to the Rebecca Hall, and the Andrew Sibbald (not Holy Spirit) School. But, on the whole it was an infinitely better experience than pulling a vinyl folding partition across the back of the Church, as was previously done, and competing with the Church service for the attention of the children.
Doris served on the telephone committee, Prayer Chain, and the Telecare group until she and Tom moved away in 2004.
As we write this and reach back in time, there is a gentle flow of memories that stir from years past: the unique and kindly eyes of Henry Whitfield; the gentle soul that was Barbara Whitfield; dear Edith Robinson at the organ, and Canon Hill looking down over his glasses as a discordant note was occasionally struck; Jean Blackwell in her cheery Mrs. Santa outfit at the A.C.W. Santa's Soup Kitchen; A.C.W. meetings with Frances Hill reading from her wonderful collection of stories; Christmas concerts with the little ones in all their delightful unpredictability; Frank Hutchinson's wonderful pioneer stories; Leigh Blackwell and his renditions of Stanley Holloway's trip to the zoo with "Little Albert"; and many others that bring a warmth to years recalled.