During the period of time that Barbara Willer was Verger, one of her Grandsons, had a chance meeting with a kind knitter.
The date was 1996, and her Grandson was being looked after by his Childminder. On one particular day, the Childminders Mother was staying for a short break, and being an avid knitter, she was busy knitting Mice to be sold at a sale. During a casual conversation, it emerged that Barbara was Verger at the Church which made the knitter think about a Church mouse. Next time Barbara’s Grandson went to his Childminder, the knitter was sewing up her mice, and duly gave one to the boy to give to his Nan, saying “Give that to Nanny, and tell her to put it in the Church, it is the Church Mouse”, referencing the phrase ‘As quiet as a Church Mouse’.
Armed with such an important task at such a young age, he insisted when his Mum came to collect him, that they went straight to Nanny. When they arrived at Nannys, he insisted that his Nanny went straight down to the Church, to put the Mouse in there!
Barbara got her coat, and took her Grandson down to the Church, and after suggesting a few places to place the Mouse, it was decided upon the top of the column, second across from the South door.
The mouse has not moved from this column since, not even during the re-ordering of 2006 (except for a wash), and has become a much loved resident.
In recent years, another mouse has appeared. See if you can find it.
