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Posted by John Hawley
on 11/1/2008, 12:36 pm, in reply to "Re: David Dixon"
82.44.180.75
The funeral of David Dixon took place yesterday (10th January 2008) in a packed St. Mary's, Bocking, Braintree, Essex where he had been a Lay Reader.
The homily was delivered by the Vicar and there were readings from Psalms and from Pilgrim's Progress (".....So he passed over, and the trumpets sounded for him on the other side." [Mr Valiant-for-Truth]. Great emphasis was placed on David's strongly held religious belief that life is just the start of our journey towards the "inn", but once 'inside', the drinks would be lined up and "on the house". The symbolism was not lost on those present, for a man who had clearly enjoyed life to the full and given so much but who, like the 'pilgrim' in all of us, had encountered and overcome difficulties along life's path. The choir sang "How Lovely are thy dwellings fair" from the Brahms Requiem. The concluding Hymn "Christ Triumphant" stressed David's strong convictions and was sung in the presence of the composer, John Barnard. The opening organ prelude was the Thalben Ball "Elegy" and postlude the "Variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis" by Elgar; two quintessentially English pieces for a truly English gentleman.
Former members of St. Nick's staff present were: Peter Cahill; Chris Everest; Brian Clarke and John Hawley. Former students: Gerald Miller and ....Dodd (first name not known). Apologies if there were others present, but unknown to myself.
Mourners, including former members of staff and students from Brentwood School and John Lyon, mingled in the church hall afterwards and many further recollections and anecdotes were shared.
John Hawley
Head of Geography
St Nicholas G.S. 1974-77
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