The John & Andrée East Award

2016
Winner

Alan
East

A letter from Alan George East
(regarding an article in Points East issue 45)

‘Dear Editor,
I was delighted to read the ‘Extract from Methodist Ministers and Probationers – information up to 1932’. I have a copy of the later directory of 1933 which correctly shows the entry for another of Rev G H East’s sons, Rev Bertram George East who entered the Methodist Church in Ireland in 1914. All his ministry was in Ireland and covered Belfast, Cork, Tralee, Banbridge, Ballynafeigh and Mt Pottinger. Rev George Herbert East was my grandfather whom I remember with affection and whose sons were also in the ministry with the exception of my father. Their names reflect a common practice in those days of choosing a well-known or famous person’s name as the Christian name. So we have Thomas Oliver Cromwell East, John Wesley Camden East, Bertram George East and George Herbert East. JWCE (my father) was the only son not in the ministry but within the family this only led to spicy and hilarious ‘get-togethers’! The ladies in the family were treated in the same way – Ivy Ruskin, Dora Havergal, Mary Ida Ellen (Ellen mother’s name) and Winifred May – the youngest, and born into a changing tradition. Of the male members in the ‘Extract’ printed, Methodist Easts will probably recognise Rev James T East, the author of a well-known hymn ‘Wise men seeking Jesus, Travelled from afar’. Not in the new hymnal ‘Singing the Faith’ but in previous editions from about 1910. And there’s another story! Finally, to contribute to our branch of the family’s history, I have inherited many old photographs – in original – and still very clear and easily decipherable. Think of the age of these and wonder if our digital equivalents will survive so long!
Sincerely, Alan (George) East’


After receiving a letter containing his prize Alan wrote :
I am most appreciative of your letter in regard to the John and Andree East Award
and am very pleased that the information in my contribution was of interest to
the AGM members.
I hope you may be able to convey my thanks to all concerned.
Yours sincerely
Alan East

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