Janet Mogford

As I make my way down Station Hill, the sight of the sea emerges between the Exmoor hillside towards the Valley of Rocks and I am continually amazed at such beauty. I say over and over again “This is where I live” !! It seems hard to believe. How did this come about ? I am convinced that it was all in God’s Plan and I will try to explain why.

I was an only child born to Christian Parents, George and Mary Fox, in 1944. They both held local leadership positions in the Salvation Army in Bedminster, Bristol. In fact, I was literally born into the Salvation Army, at a hospital called “Mount Hope”, completely run by Salvation Army Medical Staff. Soon after, my Father’s Regiment (The Royal Wiltshire Regiment) was posted to France, Belgium and Germany at the end of WWII. I was nearly two years old before he was able to come home again. Therefore, my formative years were spent with my Mother and Grandmother. And so it was that when the time came for me to start school I was a very protected, painfully shy little girl. A discerning Headmistress took me under her wing and noticed a tiny singing voice hidden away in this pig-tailed little girl and suggested to my parents it would be a good idea for me to have singing lessons, not only to develop this little voice, but to give me confidence. That was 60 years ago and I praise God that this gift has stayed with me all these years. I thank my parents for financial sacrifices that allowed me to have this opportunity and also The Salvation Army, where many doors opened for me to sing and to teach and train both children and adults to have the chance to sing in various choirs where I have been the leader.

I had known nothing other than living in a Christian Environment, and so it was natural for me to commit my life to God and to service within the Salvation Army when in my mid teens. It was at this time that a shy, handsome young man began attending the Bedminster S.A. in Bristol. He soon got involved with Christian Youth Activities to which I belonged. His name was Brian Mogford. I asked him to walk me home one Friday Night after a Music Practise. (Me under one arm and his euphonium (tuba) under the other arm !!) The rest is history !! We have been married for 44 years, have a loving family of two daughters and a son, their respective husbands and wife, six super grandchildren, who keep a constant eye on us, even though they live away from us, and never cease to be amazed at what we get up to !! Brian is still my sweetheart and my best friend !!

As I look back over the years I can see how God has always been in control, even though I couldn’t see the way forward at times, and each chapter in my life has been for a purpose and helped my faith in God grow stronger.

My first job after leaving Grammar School was with Lloyds Bank. Not only was I able to learn the financial side and economics, I was also given the chance to develop the secretarial side as well, both of which were to prove very useful later years. I left the Bank in 1969 when our first daughter was born and the next 15 years were spent in bringing up our family, but still remaining committed to my Salvation Army activities. By 1984 my parents became very poorly in health, especially as my Mother began to lose her sight and was not able to run their home. Brian, myself and the children had a deep discussion, resulting in the fact that we mutually agreed to take responsibility and look after my parents. All seven of us moved into a Victorian house in Bristol, large enough to accommodate us all. Brian had now started his own Flooring Company and I was offered a job at a local Comprehensive School, first as a Librarian, then as Administrator. I juggled lots of roles at this time in my life, but it was a very happy, if not busy time, with the house always full of young people wanting to come and stay (and eat!!) However, by 1990 the most difficult years approached. My Mum completely lost her sight and it emerged that Dad was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. In short, it was time for me to be at home as they both needed constant care. Mum went to Heaven in 1991, Dad in 1995. Those interim four years without Mum became more and more difficult as Dad deteriorated. I couldn’t have coped without Brian by my side and God’s strength day by day. I am still very glad that I was able to look after them, but these were not easy years by far, in addition to worrying times with our Business. We dug our heels in and worked hard. I became Company Secretary to Brian and his business partner and we have worked together ever since.

So how did I come to be here in Lynton? Having always loved and spent many holidays spanning our lifetime in North Devon, the opportunity came to buy a house here as a “bolt hole”. To escape from hectic business life and rest up. God had other plans !! A lovely lady called Eileen Jones from the Estate Agent at the time, invited us to Friday Fellowship and Bible Study at the URC on a Friday Evening any time we were in Lynton. Here we met a small group of loyal, committed Christians, who made us so very welcome and became our dear friends. (Two of whom “adopted us”, ex-Bristolians Mary and Alan Hawkins.) I loved coming to Prayer Group each time I was in Lynton. I loved coming to Friday Evening Bible Study. I loved joining in Fellowship Lunches. I loved being here, I loved the friends I had made and I found a peace in my heart that had never been there before. So here I am - permanently.

Brian and I became members of Lynton URC Easter Sunday 2009. I count it a privilege and an honour to be an Elder in our Church here in Lynton. Early in life I promised God that I wanted to live right, that He may use me at any time and anywhere. That’s right here in Lynton.

God Bless. Janet Mogford.