The Nativity Figures

St. Barnabas' Church owns a unique set of Nativity figures, which after some seventy Christmases had become dirty and damaged. It was therefore decided that a programme of restoration was long overdue. Three of the parishioners John Greenwell, Sandra Moore and Maggi Stannard used their considerable artistic talents to restore the figures in time for Christmas 1996. At the same time the history of these figures was fully researched, it was known from the research carried out by a previous incumbent (The Rev. Geoffrey Russell 1972-1987) that the figures as far as can be ascertained without documentation originated from Oberamergau.

In 1926, St. Barnabas Church was given this set of figures (statues) to be placed in the Nativity scene during Christmastide. They were presented to the Church by 'The Hon. Lady Emily Acland' the daughter of The Right Honourable W.H. Smith (later Viscount Hambledon) the famed parliamentarian, and the granddaughter of W.H. Smith the founder of the stationery chain. She moved to Linslade in February 1926 aged 72, following the death of her husband Admiral Sir William Acland Bt. She purchased 'Wilmead' in Stoke Road (where Lime Grove is now) and lived there until her death in 1942.

In 1932 she published privately, for a limited family circulation, an autobiography and wrote of her new home

… 'it is in a quiet neighbourhood, not a 'beauty spot' where much building would be going on, the garden is pretty and well protected by trees, and I am on the outskirts of a little market town, so shops and railway are near, and there is no sense of isolation. But one of my chief reasons for settling here was the Church, which gives me the help I need. The Vicar (Canon Lionel Lydekker) has been very kind, and he soon gave me a district to visit, and I know some of the poor people very well. There are tragedies of poverty, unemployment, intemperance, immorality, sickness, here as everywhere; and a wonderful patience, submission, hope, kindness too. I was very anxious not to live an ordinary social life again, believing I was called to something different in my closing years, and here it has been easy. Knowing no one at first, only a few neighbours came to see me, and I have plenty of time to do what I want to do…' (Lime Grove was built in 1953 and the trees to which she referred are probably those which still survive)

In the event she had almost eighteen years 'waiting in an ante-chamber' to be reunited with her adored husband. She recalled that when old Bishop Earle came to Torquay to spend his last few months, he called his house a 'coffin-ledge' ". Wilmead was that to her.

Her obituary in the Leighton Buzzard Observer dated February 3^rd. 1942, stated ' During the many years she resided in Linslade she gave many beautiful gifts to St. Barnabas' Church and took a great interest in Church work. She was an invaluable member of the Mothers' Union; an indefatigable visitor and a great friend to the poor. Her memory is cherished in many homes.'

During the Second World War 'Wilmead' was requisitioned by the War Department and was used to house WAAF personel. A member of the congregation Mr. John Vickers can remember that his very first job as a telegram boy was to deliver a telegram to 'Where Lady Acland used to live'.