Canon John Otter Stephens

Blankney Vicarage built in 1880

Canon J. O. Stephens was rector of Blankney from 1879 to 1903. The new vicarage (pictured above) replaced an earlier vicarage which stood in the grounds of the church. The first occupant of the new vicarage was Canon Stephens, who proved to be a quite remarkable man. After a curacy at Belgrave, Leics., in 1858, he became Vicar of Savernake, Wilts., in 1861, of Blankney, Lincs., in 1879 and of All Saints, Tooting, 1903-1912. Made an honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral in 1914, he died in 1925 at the age of 93. In 1901 when Lady Charles Brudenell-Bruce died, she left money in trust for the creation of a new district and church in memory of her husband, Lord Charles Brudenall-Bruce. A tent church, established at Tooting in 1903 was succeeded by an iron church, and the consecration of All Saints took place in 1906, during the time Canon Stephens was vicar. Canon Stephens was instrumental in the building of Alexandra Hospital in Woodhall Spa.

Over the next few days I will be publishing a series of articles, giving an interesting insight into Canon Stephens time as vicar of Blankney.

Today's Smile

Who Am I?

Today's puzzle is another 'Who Am I', in which you have to solve the ten clues listed below to reveal the identity of our mystery celebrity.

01 I was born in London in 1960.
02 My mother was an actress and radio presenter.
03 I have an elder brother called Paul.
04 I attended Southampton College of Art.
05 I also studied 'Modern European History' at University of London.
06 I co-presented 'Comic Relief' in 1989.
07 I was a regular panellist on 'They Think It's All Over'.
08 In 2005 I was awarded an OBE.
09 In 2006 I interviewed David Cameron.
10 I am also known for owning exotic pets.

Do you know who our talented mystery celebrity is?

Looking Back - Queen Mother Dies

On this day in 2002 Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen Mother had died in her sleep, aged 101. She passed away at 1515 GMT at the Royal Lodge, Windsor. Prince Charles, who was on holiday in Switzerland with his sons Prince William and Harry, was said to be "completely devastated." Tributes flooded in from people paying their respects and from all corners of society. Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes with a statement from his country retreat at Chequers. Plans for her mourning and burial - which had been in place for many years, were quickly put into action. Ten days of national mourning until the ceremonial funeral at West Minster Abbey. The Queen Mothers coffin was to rest at Windsor for three days before being taken to the Queen's Chapel at St Jame's Palace. It was to be carried in ceremonial procession to Westminster hall where, after a service, it was to lie in state until the eve of the funeral. It was to rest on the same spot where her husband King George VI lay in state in February 1952, guarded by a contingent of Gentleman at Arms and Yeomen of the Guard. The Queen Mother would then be laid to rest beside her husband in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. More than a million people lined the route of the Queen Mother's funeral cortege. And the poignant pomp and ceremony of the momentous occasion was watched around the world as the popularity of the Royal Family soared.