Concordia

Concordia Winter 2019 33 James Noel Dick (1940-1942) died on 2 nd October, aged 93 J ames Noel was born on Christmas Day 1925 in a nursing home in Islington – a man to find a positive in most things, he always said the best thing about having a Christmas birthday was that he never had to work on his birthday! He spent his childhood in Pinner attending Atholl House School followed by Merchant Taylors', where he made friendships that were to last a lifetime. At Prep school he shone as a young actor, with a press cutting from a local paper of the day reporting, "Chief honours go to J Dick in the role of the Pied Piper in The Rats of Hamelin". This may well have sparked his interest in the theatre, going on to be Chairman of the Playwright's Club and a reader of plays for Amateur Stage magazine during his 20's. He wrote and submitted several plays and short stories for publication and in 1951 "The Road that Leads" was performed at The New Park Repertory Theatre Club. Jim left school in 1942 and joined the Liverpool London & Globe insurance company the same summer, however he was soon called up and joined the Army training Corp in December of the same year followed by an overseas commission with the Beds and Herts regiment to India. The country made a big impression on the young man and it was something he would talk about to any captive audience for years to come! From what we learnt he seemed to have a very good time, with all the perks of an officer but quite a lot of marching. He returned from India in 1947. His release leave certificate described him as "A conscientious and careful worker who has held a responsible position. Self-reliant, honest and completely trustworthy". This is quite amusing as he always told the story that he was in charge of pay and could alter his own details to up his salary, just a little, so as not to be noticed! A year later he met Gillian Jaques at a Young Conservatives dance in Pinner. She became his wife in 1951 and they began their long and happy life together in a flat in Battersea. They later moved to Hatch End in Middlesex and then on to Chalfont St Peter in Bucks. From there, he commuted into the City for the best part of 40 years, walking to the station in the summer to help with the beer paunch resulting from too many long "working" lunches. Being the man he was , he got fully involved in his industry, helping to develop professional training courses. He lectured on the subject at City Polytechnic as it then was, wrote examination questions and marked piles of exam papers every summer – this was on top of the day job! By this time, he was a father and was extraordinarily patient at helping with long division sums, playing badminton in the garden and making sandcastles on the beach. Fatherly duties then changed to late night pick-ups from various pubs and parties in the Gerrards Cross area – he was always there, never complained and never judged. Jim was someone that loved to be involved in lots of things. Never happier than setting something up, campaigning or chairing a committee. Gill always said, "he has to be running the thing, never happy just being a member"! He became involved in local politics in the 1970s, standing as a Liberal candidate in the council elections. Unfortunately he was not successful and moved on to other interests (and politics). He held a long interest in The National Trust, being chairman of the South Bucks Association and on moving to Dorset he found that there wasn't a local association, so he worked hard to set up the South Dorset Association. The current Chairman said "We in National Trust South Dorset Association are eternally grateful to him for having the drive and determination to start up the Association". Jim and Gill moved to their, St James Cottage, dream thatched cottage in Milton Abbas over 30 years ago and enjoyed a long and happy retirement. They had many happy days at the coast, discovered all the best places for a jolly good dinner and visited all the beautiful historical places in the area. They hosted an annual New Year drinks party and held many informal gatherings – generous, happy occasions. The cottage became a treasure trove of antiques found at antique fairs they loved to visit – they had to stop going to so many as the cottage filled up, leaving very little wall or shelf space, but creating a beautiful and charming home. A home of course is never a home without a cat or two and there was always a feline presence. They also travelled widely, visiting Africa, Canada, North America and many trips in Europe and around the UK. He became involved in village life and particularly enjoyed the village fair. St James Cottage became the counting house for the takings for many years with Jim in the role of Treasurer. Dressed in smock and straw hat he certainly looked the part. He always loved his food, enjoying dining out at Plumber Manor or The Priory at any excuse and was very partial to a French Fancy or anything that Mr Kipling could offer. Jim and Gill became grandparents and joined in family outings to the beach and winter point-to-points. Grandpa Dorset had a mischievous sense of humour, "I'll tell you when you are older.." was a phase he seemed to use a lot to his granddaughter. After dinner, he loved to join in family games of "Pass the Pigs" and "Balderdash", all the while puffing on his pipe! As time went on, Jim took delight in being one of, if not the, oldest residents of the village. He carried on driving despite a run-in with an army tank and near-miss with a river. Finally, he had to admit defeat and surrender his licence, but not without a good fight! However, with the unfailing help and patience of his neighbours he enjoyed a weekly outing to Dorchester to do the shopping, have a coffee and often take in a film – which he greatly enjoyed. An intelligent man, always interested in others, he was a pleasure to spend time with. He had a twinkle in his eye and a jovial outlook on life, but he was an extremely loyal man and was very fond of his friends and always concerned about their welfare. To his family he was everything – a kindly presence, always there with calm, considered advice if needed, cheerful encouragement or bursting with pride at achievements. He selflessly looked after Gill through her difficult illness. Totally dependable, always. We shall miss him greatly. In 1945 he wrote this poem, and it seems this is an apt time to give it it's first public reading: Entitled The Message The moon, the sun and stars I see Shine down on both you and me. So when you next gaze at the sky Maybe you'll hear me as I cry, I'll see you once again bye and bye. Obituaries Obituaries Concordia Winter 2019 32 Revd Michael Moxon (1958-1963) died on 28 th July, aged 77 T HE Very Revd Michael Moxon, who died on 28 th July, aged 77, was Dean of Truro from 1998 until 2004. Michael was educated at Merchant Taylors’ School in north London. After his curacy in Lowestoft, he followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a minor canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, where, as Sacrist, he played a leading part in the organisation of services, from the daily evensong to state occasions such as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee service in 1977 and the 1981 royal wedding. Nine years followed, during which he was Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey, one of the greater churches, before becoming a Canon of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and then moving to Truro Cathedral. In all of these positions, he organised and led worship with enormous skill and grace, enabling congregations to know something of the mystery and majesty of God’s glory. He understood the importance of our large churches and cathedrals as places where many can gather on special occasions to find inspiration for their work, and he was a gifted preacher, especially when he was able to relate the great teachings of the Christian faith to particular groups within the community, or to those experiencing some particular joy or sorrow in their lives. Yet he was equally at home in more intimate worshipping contexts: at the Royal Chapel in Windsor Great Park, where the Queen and the Queen Mother were regular Sunday worshippers; and at numerous parishes of Truro diocese, where he went to provide cover or preach, as he continued to do after retiring in 2004. He loved nothing more than, for example, providing holiday cover on the Isles of Scilly. His time-keeping left a great deal to be desired, though: he was once late for a royal engagement in Windsor Great Park, causing the Queen to drive around in circles for a further ten minutes so as not to arrive before him. Despite this, the Queen was pleased to convey upon Michael a lieutenancy within the Royal Victorian Order, as a mark of thanks for his pastoral and liturgical ministry to herself and her family. He was blessed with an outstanding voice, which he used to great effect in leading choral evensong and in his eucharistic presidency; and he loved the English choral tradition, overseeing the development of Truro Cathedral Choir into one of the finest choirs in the country. For Michael, the wine of the eucharist led naturally to the wine of a post- service reception, and God’s hospitality in worship led to a life characterised by hospitality to others. Michael was an extrovert, and it was a joy to watch him at a party in the Chapter House or at home, finding something to say to everyone. A generation of chorister families and cathedral volunteers, “the great and the good” of the county, the fire-service chaplains, who came under his care, and many others — they all experienced something of that hospitality that is part of the joy of the gospel. Even during his final illness in hospital, Michael was always asking after the nurses, their health and happiness in equal measure. Michael could roar with laughter, whether at Les Dawson or Fawlty Towers, or as a result of teasing his family. His daughter, Emma, recalls how pulling their legs was his forte, particularly over their dress sense and choice of music. But Michael loved dressing up himself, and spent hours in the bathroom getting ready for weddings, Royal Ascot, or Buckingham Palace garden parties — any excuse to don his top hat and frock coat. Michael had many interests outside church life: sport, especially cricket, which was a lifelong passion, as was his support for Northampton Town Football Club; pre-war motor cars, including his three successive Morris Eights, all named Emily; and foreign travel, especially to France. He was also game for almost anything: swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, canoeing, and parascending, archery, falconry and riding. Like so many of the clergy, he loved trains, and owned a Hornby train set from the age of 12 until his dying day. Michael died in Treliske hospital after a short illness. His requiem was celebrated on 29 th August in Truro Cathedral, the coffin having been received the afternoon before. Michael’s favourite music, Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices and Tallis’s “If ye love me”, was sung by the choir, who returned from holiday early for the service. Michael leaves his widow, Nicola, three children, Ben, Nick, and Emma, and his grandchildren. Memories of Michael Moxon by Roger L K Chapman (1958-1963) Michael was the son of Charles Moxon who was vicar of St Anselm’s Hatch End our parish church. I sang in the church choir with Michael who had a wonderful alto voice at that time. Also worshipping and serving at St Anselm’s was Peter Selby (1954-1960) who subsequently became Bishop of Kingston and then Bishop of Worcester. In my first year at MTS, Michael starred in Hugh Elder’s production of G & S’s Ruddigore as Dame Hannah with Peter Selby as Old Adam Goodheart. He was a very good organist and regularly played for morning assemblies. He still played the organ regularly for Sunday services in his local parish church in Cornwall until his final illness. He was an enthusiastic cricketer and played in many clergy teams being a medium fast left arm bowler. He was also a competitive ping pong player! Obituaries