LADY LEWISHAM

Mothering Sunday at St Leonard's, Denton

By Marie Anscomb

In the early 1960's the rector of St. Leonard's Church, Denton, Victor Downes, was critical of the growing commercialisation of Mothering Sunday. Lady Lewisham shared this view, hence her visit to Denton. Lady Lewisham - daughter of Barbara Cartland - Countess of Dartmouth  more recently was known as Raine, Countess Spencer, the step-mother of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'LADY LEWISHAM' page
This page was added by Marie Anscomb (nee Relf) on 11/02/2011.
Comments about this page

I seem to remember that the present door at St. Leonards was made, at Oxley & Bennett's, by my Dad, Dick Stovell and Ray (Curly) Palmer. It must have been made before 1963. Colin Brandon or Gary Bennett will probably know for sure.

By William Stovell
On 19/02/2011

Hi William, yes, you are correct, I can remember your dad and Curly making that new oak door for Denton Church. It was a lovely piece of work.

By Colin Brandon
On 04/03/2011

I remember going to the Mothering Sunday Service and meeting Lady Lewisham.  She was magical to us young girls - most beautiful and charming and looked like a film star.

By Marie Harvey (nee Hills)
On 23/09/2014
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