Fr Tony Castle Case Study

Frieda Reilly says her father Teddy used clean the church lawn when it's overgrown with weeds before building Abbey mead club in it. Frieda’s son is living in Plumstead and daughters are living in Abbey wood. Frieda used to do the church cleaning at the first stages.
Jean Pearce was the ‘Parish Secretary’ and Anne Finny the ‘House keeper’ of Abbey Wood Parish. Ted Burns was the Sacristan and he was a reader too Current Sacristan of St Benet is
Fr Anthony Castle (known as Fr Tony Castle ) joined the parish as a Curate in April 1965. Fr Tony Castle was born in May 1978, in Dover and he had been trained for the priesthood from the age of thirteen. He ordained in June 1963 at Wonesh and before joining Abbey Wood Parish, he had served two years as an assistant priest at a Parish in Peckham and it was his first appointment. During Fr Tony Castle’s stay in the Abbey Wood parish, he had done many good works for the parish, numbers of committees were formed and he had formed nearly 10 youth groups. In
In 1970 Phase One development of Thamesmead was nearing its completion. In 1970s ‘Parish youth council’ was formed with 24 members, they were from the age group of 11-20 and Bob Speight, who was a clerk at the South London Building Society became the chairman of it. For the spiritual side of young people, there were ‘All Night Youth Vigils’ and ‘Away Days’. Youth along with Fr Castle took part in ‘walk for charity’ from Abbey Wood to Aylesford or Allington Castle in every year and continued for five years. The walk took place on Good Friday morning, leaving early for a 20-mile walk. Always 30 or more young people took part and they were back in the church for 3pm service as their parents had picked them from Aylesford. The last youth group was formed by Fr Tony was ‘The Amber Club for over 18 years