Over 300 People Attend Centenary Service in London to Mark the Birth of Trevor Huddleston

LONDON, July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The centenary of the birth of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, a champion and leader of the struggle against apartheid and for democracy, dignity and freedom was marked by a service held in St Martin-in-the-Fields, London on Saturday, 29 June, and attended by more than 300 people.

A centenary service was also held in South Africa on 15 June, which was attended by South Africa's Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

During the service in London, people heard addresses by Baroness Glenys Kinnock, a good friend of Archbishop Trevor, Father Nicolas Stebbing of the Community of the Resurrection, the Anglican religious order Archbishop Trevor belonged to and Emeritus Archbishop Khotso Makhulu. Amongst the readers was Lady Ann Parkinson, the niece and closest living relative of Archbishop Trevor.

The service featured the presentation of the Isitwalandwe medal, from the Community of the Resurrection to His Excellency Dr Zola Skweyiya, South African High Commissioner and then to Lucky Seepe from the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, who will take it to South Africa to be put on display in the centre. The medal is the highest honour the African National Congress can bestow and was awarded to Archbishop Trevor during the Congress of the People in 1955.

Following the service the South Africa High Commission hosted a reception in South Africa house which was generously supported by Avi Lasarow, Honorary Consul for South Africa for the Midlands and John Battersby of Brand South Africa.

Notes

1. The service was organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), the successor organisation to the Anti Apartheid Movement. Archbishop Trevor was President of AAM 1981- 1994 and Founding Patron of ACTSA from 1994 and the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre, Johannesburg and was hosted by St Martin-in-the-Fields.

2. During the service recognition was also given to Archbishop Trevor's time as Bishop of Stepney, Masasi (Tanzania), Primate of the Indian Ocean and his being chair of the International Defence and Aid Fund.

3. Amongst those present were Lady Parkinson and family, HE Dr Zola Skweyiya and Mrs Skweyiya, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, Rt Hon Frank Dobson MP, Sir Sonny Ramphal, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and diplomatic representatives in addition to South Africa from Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, Honorary Consul AvI Lasarow and John Battersby (Brand South Africa).

4. 'Called to Justice and Freedom - Father Trevor Huddleston', a photographic exhibition from 15 June - 20 July 2013 St Martin's Hall,  located in the crypt of St Martin's and the entrance is via the glass pavilion to the left of the church. Admission is free but please visit the St Martin's website http://www.smitf.org for opening times of the St Martin's Hall.

For further information:

Tony Dykes, ACTSA

Tricia Sibbons, Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre.

About Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)

Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) is the successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It was established to work for democracy, development, rights and justice, in solidarity with the people of southern Africa. Archbishop Trevor Huddleston CR KCMG is its founding patron. http://www.actsa.org 

About The Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre (THMC)

The Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre (THMC), Johannesburg, exists to continue the legacy of Huddleston through education for young people, promoting equality, democracy and dignity for all. Established in 2000, THMC relies on grants and voluntary giving to assist over 200 youth annually to gain business and enterprise skills, and develops opportunities for creative endeavours in music and the arts. THMC in partnership with the City of Joburg, also runs the Sophiatown Heritage and Cultural Centre. http://www.trevorhuddleston.org   //  http://www.sophiatown.net

SOURCE Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)