Meet Parishioner Robert Whittles

Robert & his sweet dog Pipa.

After my mother, whom I’d looked after during her illness for three years, died in 2007, I let our house out and went long-distance travelling – to places I’d been interested in but never had opportunity to visit: China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand …

When I couldn’t settle back down in London, it was a Portuguese friend who suggested that I’d like the sedate pace of life in Portugal. I bought an apartment in 2017, intended as a holiday home. During Covid I found myself stuck here, so I sold the English property and now I’m fully resident in Rio Tinto – there’s a river of the same name – near Porto.

I’m a walker and, soon after first coming to Porto, happened to pass St James. It was

hidden away behind a wall – for historical reasons because it was an Anglican church – but there was a notice on the wall advertising the weekly services. I went on Sunday, and found a beautiful old church and cemetery, and was made to feel very welcome. I think a lot of people discover the place this way.

It was a small congregation of regulars in those days, but it’s grown to three times the

size – around 60 – as more English-speaking people move into the area. I’m happy to have a role, volunteering when St James does Open House on weekdays.

Such a variety of people come in to find out about us: holidaymakers and travelers from as far away as Vietnam and Korea, Caminho pilgrims of many nationalities, as well as local people. I suppose it helps that I’m a good listener, and love to observe.

The church community is a real source of nourishment. I enjoy the music, and that we

have a good choir. On Sundays I come to the service, enjoy a social coffee, tea, or sometimes a glass of wine in The Wellhouse afterwards, and perhaps a few of us friends will go on to find lunch together.

The Wellhouse is also the venue for other social events. Last month, we enjoyed a

wine-tasting organised by a member of the Delaforce family, who have owned a wine-farm for generations and have also long been associated with St James; an experience I think everyone who went would like to repeat!

The rest of the time, I love reading – history, biographies, and novels. I’m curious

how my taste has changed – for example, William Golding’s Rites of Passage, which I once took too seriously, now seems to me rather amusing. I brought all my books from London, as I couldn’t part with them.

Which means the only thing I miss about England is the classic comedy shows from

the 1970s and 80s. I’ve a rather dry sense of humour …