Where are they now? - Peter and Barbara Dawson

Peter and Barbara Dawson ‘retired’ to France in November 2005 after finding their 18th century Béarnaise farmhouse with views of the Pyrenees. They enjoy the French way of life and join in many of the local events. Having Spain close by also adds an extra dimension. Peter and Barbara's Home in France  At Peter's induction Shortly after arriving the chaplain at the Anglican church in Pau fell ill. Together with a retired clergyman Peter looked after the chaplaincy and also during the subsequent two year long interregnum. Barbara was at this time churchwarden. Following the appointment of a new chaplain at Pau, Peter was asked by the bishop to be the chaplain of the Anglican church at Biarritz in September 2008. The original church was built and paid for by the House of Hanover in the 1860s and Edward VII attended when in Biarritz. In the 1930s attendance was over 600 but in the 1960s a migration by the British to the French Riviera saw a sharp decline in attendance. The church was given to the town of Biarritz in the 1980s and is now a museum. Since then the Anglican congregation has been worshipping in the nearby Roman Catholic church of St Joseph. When Peter and Barbara arrived the congregation was small. Over the last year numbers have increased considerably after the introduction of modern liturgy, a modern hymnbook, a newsletter and refreshments after the service.   Peter preaching at Lourdes   An ecumenical service with the Archbishop of Auch As a ‘guest’ church ecumenical relations are important and are very good. Peter has preached at Lourdes, taken part in an ecumenical service with the Archbishop of Auch as well as ecumenical services at Biarritz with Roman Catholic, protestant and Russian Orthodox leaders and congregations. Interestingly the Cathedral at nearby Bayonne was built by the English in the 13th century when they ruled this area for 300 years. Peter and Barbara look forward to further growth in the church as they reach out with God’s love and his promises to the local area. Fellowship at La Brigue