Heather Pomroy remembers Rev. Canon Jolly

11:46am Monday 25th February 2008

pompom@surefish.co.uk Last week the Heritage page ran an article about the Chantry Hall and the Rev. Canon Jolly.

My mother, Mrs. Ida Pressley (formerly Stride), lived in Southampton during the war years. She was involved in St. Mary\'s church at that time and had tremendous respect for Canon Jolly.

She spoke of him almost as though he were a saint. I remember she said he was a wonderful speaker with a great sense of humour. She often told me the story of his bravery when St. Mary\'s church was bombed.

He went in and out of the burning building carrying treasured items. Once such was the lectern with a large sculpted eagle at its top. (I believe this lectern is still in use in the rebuilt St. Mary\'s. ) Canon Jolly knew that this lectern was extremely heavy and impossible to move single handedly, yet in the urgency of the moment, he found the strength to get it out of the building.

Afterwards he was amazed at what he had done. My mother used to tell this story as though it was a kind of miracle.

I wonder if anyone else has memories of Canon Jolly and this remarkable feat of strength?