  1956, the year of Arthur’s sabbatical in Oxford, seems to have been a turning point. Perhaps sheer distance helped to loosen religion’s tug, not only on him but also on Mary. Once back in New Zealand, the family’s churchgoing was much less regular. Speaking of this time, their son Martin said ‘I think Mary and Arthur were starting to lapse in their beliefs’. Arthur continued as an elder at St Martin’s, officially until he left the country for Manchester in December 1958, but ceased attending the monthly meetings of elders from April 1958—and contrary to custom, did not even bother to send in his apologies for the meetings that he missed.