There is a series of programmes on the radio at the moment called ‘Devout Sceptics’ which is a series of fascinating interviews about faith and life with Bel Mooney. From conversations I have had with Alan over the years I think he would be an ideal candidate for this - and the first thing that I must do at this service for him is to recognise and respect his views about the things of faith and religion and this I gladly do. Having said that throughout his long life, Alan has enriches the life of this and many other Churches by his musical talent, particularly singing and at the organ and we give wholehearted thanks for this ministry of music which has been such a central feature of his life.

Alan was born at Forest Hill in SE London in 1909 where he grew up with his younger sister, Phyllis. Forest Hill was then not a part of Greater London so Alan sometimes described himself as a man of Kent - a distinction which gave him a dispensation to follow the fortunes of Kent, as well as Sussex, Cricket. He was fortunate to attend Dulwich College on one of the first free places. He lived with a background of music from an early age and played the Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor at a school concert when he was 17 - no mean feat for a boy of his age.

At 20 he became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, when the examiners were Dr.Bairstow, Dr. Thalben Ball and Dr.Balfour, and by this time he had left school and had been fortunate to get a job with the Bank of England. During these years he attended daily Choral Evensong at St.Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey or Southwark Cathedral and these remained some of his happiest memories. He had organ lessons with Dr.Cook of Southwark Cathedral. This pastime was possible because the Bank closed at 3pm! Soon, Alan became ill and spent some time in hospital. When he came out he found that he no longer had his job! This was in 1927 and his third piece of good luck was medical advice to get out of London for the sake of his health and so it was that he came to Bognor and so began an association with Bognor Regis that has lasted for 70 years. He became an articled clerk with Henry Leighton Staffurth, solicitor and the uncrowned King of Bognor and this marked the beginning of his lifelong career at Staffurth and Bray from the 20's to the 70's. He eventually took over from Mr. Bray as senior partner and was instrumental in expanding the practice which to this day is such an important firm in the life of Bognor. In Bognor he met Margaret and they married in 1940. The marriage was blessed with three children, Roger, Jill and Christopher, and Margaret predeceased him in 1996.

Music was always there, though and Alan became organist at StJohn's parish Church. Mr Staffurth even told him on one occasion that he should decide whether he wanted a career in law or music! He stayed with the law, which work he loved and was an old fashioned family solicitor and saw his work as being a service to the community. He was on the regional legal aid committee and was an active member of the Chichester and District Law Society and greatly enjoyed his year as its president. Through the 50's and 60's into the 70's he sang in the choir here in St.Wilfrid's with Margaret and often stood in as organist or chorister at various a churches including Chichester Cathedral for Horace Hawkins. His longest lasting musical interest was singing madrigals for a small private group.

He had other interests too. In 1961 he became involved in setting up the Bognor Regis Abbeyfield Society and over the years he has always remained on the committee being at times the chairman and later the president. It was appropriate therefore than we he needed care himself in his final years he himself found a home at Abbeyfield where he was well and affectionately looked after. After he retired, Alan drove his car on a weekly round for meals on wheels. In fact he continued driving until he was 90 when he decided it was time to stop. His family (and others) breathed a sigh of relief. He loved the countryside and spent many happy days walking over the Sussex downs with Margaret - and loved his garden, especially his fruitful vegetable patch. He loved to listen to Choral Evensong on the Radio on Wednesdays.

He is remembered by his children as a father who wanted to the best for them which on occasion seemed a bit hard or even austere but he ensured a good education for them and was always fully supportive of their various activities - so long as he approved of them! Of course, he has left them with a deep love of music, especially church music. Family holidays were a special and precious time and Alan continued these as long as possible. He was not a sentimental man and would not want any of us to be sad at his passing - he had a long and active life.

A Leave Taking Message

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone

Nor when I've gone speak in a Sunday voice

But be the usual selves I have known

Weep if you must

Parting is hell

But life goes on

So sing as well.