Colin was born in 1932 in South London and when he was young he was sent to boarding school. For a few years during the war he lived in Colwyn Bay, where his father was attached to The Ministry of Food. After he left Felsted School in Essex, he was offered a place at Cambridge but was unable to accept it for financial reasons. Instead, he went to Sandhurst.
Several of Colin’s family were Christian Scientists, but Colin was drawn to more orthodox religious disciplines, including monasticism. In his early twenties he converted to Roman Catholicism and spent a brief period at Downside Abbey, but he did not pursue the religious life at this time and, after trying accountancy, eventually found a career as a preparatory schoolmaster.
In 1957 Colin married his first wife Ursula and they were married for 20 years. Sometime after Ursula died in 1977, Colin met and fell in love with Elizabeth McKnight. In 1986, Colin by then married to Liz and with a daughter, Jane, came to live and work in the Ludlow area. He had been formally received back into the Church of England many years before and gradually, with the support of his family and friends, came to recognise his vocation as a priest.
Colin was ordained in 1990. This brought him real fulfilment and he was delighted when he was able to extend his ministry beyond the normal retirement age. He found much happiness and many friends in all the parishes he served but Whitton always held a special place in his heart and it was his express wish to be buried here. Colin was a man who confronted spiritual, practical, emotional and social life head-on. Over the years he tried his hand at basketry, needlework, knitting, rush and cane work, cookery, upholstery, story-writing, gardening and poultry-keeping. He loved games, conversation, entertaining, food, wine and laughter. He was an enthusiastic member of The Guild of Clothworkers. You don’t meet many people who have driven a flock of sheep over London Bridge!!
Finally Colin believed profoundly that God’s love was greater than any human institution, prejudice or preconception. We shall all miss you Colin, may you rest in peace.
The retiring collection of just over £600 will be sent to the Alzheimer’s Society.