A Friend In Need By Cilla

Chad Varah was a busy man. In fact, he considered himself the busiest man in the Church. This was 1953. Chad was not only the Vicar of St Paul's Clapham Junction and the Chaplain of St John's Hospital Battersea, his 'other' job (the one that earned his living) was Staff Scriptwriter / Visualiser for Eagle and Girl cartoon magazines and Scientific and Astronautical Consultant to Dan Dare! As I said, he was a busy man.

18 years previously Chad had officiated at a funeral for a 14 year old girl who had taken her own life after starting her periods. She'd thought she had VD. Since then, he'd earned himself a reputation of being a 'dirty old man' because he'd taken it upon himself to educate young people about sex and their bodies so that this kind of unnecessary tragedy would not happen again. He started youth clubs and gave marriage guidance to couples.

In 1952 Chad wrote some articles for the Picture Post - about sex. Not everybody appreciated his approach (his writing was described as 'Disgusting' in one letter written to the Editor). But not only did he wow the Editor of the post with the increase in circulation but he also was contacted by 100 readers with problems, some he considered suicidal.

Chad thought about it. He realised that there was no real emergency help for people in emotional crisis. The Emergency Services just didn't deal with the problem. Police? No. At the time suicide was an offence. Ambulance? No. He wanted to prevent suicide attempts, not wait till they happen. He also realised that people came to him for support and friendship when in crisis so all he had to do was find somebody like himself, a minister of the church, with a less busy schedule…. Then it happened. The answer. Chad was invitied to apply for a ministry at St Stephen Walbrook, in the heart of the City of London. This was ideal. Inner city church: No parishioners: time to put his idea into action. And the Patrons, the Worshipful Company of Grocers, were behind him all the way. continued below

A Friend In Need continued By Cilla

He got an emergency number for people to call MAN 9000, publicity from his colleagues in Fleet Street and his work began. The project opened on 2nd November 1953. Chad took on help from local volunteers - to make the clients feel comfortable, make tea, run errands. And those people were the first Samaritans. Chad realised that by the time the clients reached him, they were already feeling better - just by being befriended by the tea lady!

On 2nd February 1954, Chad handed over the work to his volunteers, saying .. you are the life-savers, and one day everyone will recognise what suicidal people need..

Chad Varah was a busy man. And look what he did! He's still alive - in his 90's and I expect he's as busy as ever, looking at his organisation all over the world, preventing unnecessary deaths from simple friendship and acceptance. Samaritan volunteers are still available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to offer the same, unique befriending service. Calls to Samaritans have continued to go up every year, and the number of Branches is now at 203.

Hull Branch Details 75, Spring Bank, HU3 1AG Phone: 01482 323456

Usual hours open to receive callers: 9am - 10pm Facilities for visitors with disabilities: None at Spring Bank address. Wheelchair users are welcome to use The Samaritans shop at 11 Story Street. Please phone first. National Contact 08457 909090 (UK) - 1850 609090 (ROI) jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org.uk

Holiday Season - Christmas is Coming..

By Sarah Well... it's nearly that time of year again. In a vain attempt to get into the early festive spirit, I took the kids to Southwood Farm in Cottingham. The theme for the Christmas display this year was Winter Woodland. It was very sweet and had everyone charmed. There were a sizable selection of lights, novelties and Christmas trees to buy. The kids thought the fibre optic room, full of fibre optic trees.. Read more...

Holiday Season - A Friend Indeed By Cilla

What do I do when I feel hopeless, sad, misunderstood or depressed? I talk about it. Ask anyone who knows me, I can moan! The funny thing is, in my life, even if I feel like a moaner, I know I can talk. I've always known that talking about problems helps and I've been lucky enough to feel able to do that with my good friends. But knowing something is right because theoretically it seems reasonable and seeing a theory proven are 2 different things. Read more...

Articles - "More Memories of Dylan" By Jane

I remember clearly the first time I ever listened to the great Bob, however I cannot recall when exactly I decided that I liked him.. Having just left home on impulse at the tender age of 18, straight from a council estate to the Avenues in a vain attempt to 'better' myself, I ended up in a somewhat squalid (ie typical) bedsit on Park Grove. Owned by a somewhat dodgy (ie typical) landlord called Mr Leak ( cos all his roofs did just that). Read more...

Driving - Jo's DRIVING LESSONS
	Here I was living alone with my 3 children, my husband having just left us to cope alone. My eldest daughter, only just 18, was keen to learn to drive and I didn't want to spend a fortune on driving lessons, at least not until she could learn as much as she could from me. Read more...

Articles - Our Telephone Pole By Mo

	Poking my head out of the window I asked "Can I take some pictures for the website?". "No problem came the reply" from Alan the team leader looking up from the base of the pole. Another story lands in my lap I thought, as I unloaded the battery charger and slipped the first rechargeable into our 150 quid Minolta digital camera. Read more...