This is a picture of part ot the grounds of THE
FRIARS, a Carmelite priory in Aylesford Kent.
Ther Carmelites first settled here in 1242, but were dispersed in 1538
at the time of the reformation. They
returned to Aylesford in 1949 and have lived there ever since. In 1974 Bishop
Cyril Cowderoy called it “The Jewel My Diocese.”
Here is the gist of a letter I have written to some
people telling them of the way The Friars turned my life around.
“My name is Rosamund Browne
and I have cerebral palsy. I was born in
1946, a 24 week baby weighing 2lbs and not expected to live. I didn’t walk
until I was 8 years old. As a baby I was
in hospital for 2 ½ years learning to crawl, sit up and feed myself. I then had to go away from home again to
boarding school, aged 6 where I finally learned to walk. My childhood was full of home sickness
For as long as I can
remember, I wanted to be an actress. My
justifiably horrified parents refused to let me even try. It was suggested that I go to teacher
training college. Getting a place was
virtually impossible. Having to admit
(until relatively recently) to being a “Spastic Paraplegic,” my application forms were dismissed out of hand,
until my very feisty mother blew her top and a college gave me an interview.
I taught for 3 years,
during which time I was over worked and bullied by staff and pupils at school
and eventually had a nervous breakdown.
It was then that a
Carmelite community at Aylesford Priory in Maidstone, Kent came to my rescue.
I’d heard about
Carmelites, (or White friars) a strict order, who weren’t allowed to speak,
Joke, laugh or drink, and prayed night and day, (I found out later this was
only nuns) and I didn’t want to go there at all. I was booked to stay for 2 weeks, and thought
I would be back home the next day.
I arrived on a beautiful
April evening in 1974; there was blossom everywhere, a duck pond with a weeping
willow tree, (and ducks) and the first person I met was a beautifully robed
friar, sitting at a desk. In front of
him was an ash tray full of cigarette ends.
He greeted me warmly with a broad smile.
I breathed a sigh of
relief and fell in love with the place.
I ended up staying there
for 18 months, working my butt off in the pilgrims’ tea room. I did a lot of laughing. I was mercilessly and very lovingly teased,
especially when I fell over, (which I often did) once into a bucket of freshly
made orange squash, and once into an ice cream deep freeze , trying to reach
for the only ice cream left.
I’d forgotten what love
and kindness were like. I was doing
basic menial hard work, but I was so happy.
18 months later, the prior
asked me what I really wanted to
do. When I said I wanted to go to Drama
School, he suggested I find a post graduate course. I went to The Guildhall School Of Music and
Drama in London, and in time became an Equity member and have worked in
television, radio and on stage.
I went back to Aylesford
Priory as often as I could, and when I met my husband, Allan, the prior, Father
Hugh who I so dearly loved, and who had saved my sanity conducted our wedding.
We had 2 girls and they
came to love Aylesford Priory as much as I did.
When my husband was ill the Carmelites stepped in again to help.
Now I can no longer walk,
my husband and Father Hugh have been dead some years; without that priory and
its community I would never have
achieved what I have. (Oh, by the way, 3
months ago I became a grandmother for the first time.)
he priory has helped
hundreds like me to a greater or lesser degree.
Each one has their story to tell.
It would be awful if it were no longer there for others.
Aylesford Priory is now in
financial trouble, and, I’ve heard, could
have to close. Some of the buildings are
very old old and the grounds are extensive
The place needs constant care. I
cannot get there easily myself now, but the idea of England without Aylesford
priory makes my heart ache. It gave me so much. I give what money I can and so do many
others, but it isn’t enough. I don’t
know exact details but the trouble is pretty deep.”
THE WORLD NEEDS “THE
FRARS.”
The present Prior is
Father Damian Cassidy O.Carm Email:
prior@thefriars.org.uk THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD, MAIDSTONE, KENT ME20
7BX UNITED KINGDOM
Aylesford Priory with my Daughters Holly and Hannah Easter 2002
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