Archived News - Peter Graham
Pray do it this way
Eaton Bray vicar the Rev Peter Graham caused controversy when he said people could not pray properly with their bodies huddled over their knees.
He said: "The best way to say your prayers is by kneeling with your body bolt upright, or better still, to lie flat on your face."
The vicar also said the true essence of a happy married life was when a man could tell his wife how beautiful she was, and how much he loved her, when at the same time he felt like slamming the door in her face.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 22 November 1957
Five bob to save church
Bedfordshire's smallest parish church, St Mary's in Eaton Bray, was in danger of falling down.
The church was said to be one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the country.
But the vicar, the Rev Peter Graham, was having to appeal to every household in the parish to give five shillings a month to save the church.
The chancel had been closed for worship, and there was death watch beetle in the roof, pulpit, screen, nave roof, belfry and organ.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 19 July 1957
Drainage System dug by parishioners
Many hands make light work - and save their parish church money.
When the vicar of Eaton Bray, the Rev Peter Graham, needed a drainage system digging around St Mary's Church, parishioners were only too happy to help out in August 1956.
Here young and old set to work digging a ditch, while, left, volunteer workman Wesley Maunders really gets down to it by digging a manhole. It was hoped to have the work completed before winter set in.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, August 1956