Last month I attended the memorial service for Graham at the new Westward Ho! Baptist Church.
Graham’s sons spoke eloquently and movingly about their father, a lovely sociable man whom we all remember from trips to Bideford Pannier market where he ran an art stall selling his pictures, or from seeing him around town. Graham and Becky both helped a lot with Buzz in its early days with distribution and typing.
It was obvious from the size of the congregation that there was a huge love and respect for Graham and his family. We sang the Devon Hymn (new to me) to the tune of Morning has Broken which summed up Graham’s love of the Devon countryside and all things rural.
Devon Hymn
Celebrate Devon. embracing Heaven,
Green fields and pastures, seaside and moor,
All that the Lord gives throughout the ages
Is ours to treasure from shore to shore.
Give God the glory! Sing Devon’s story
Glorious Devon, this we adore;
Poets and painters, seamen and farmers,
All these enrich us for evermore.
Walk on the highways,stroll in the byways.
Swim from the gold sands,cycle the lanes.
Cherish the beauty of field and flowers,
Churches and chapels, all God’s domain.
Heaven in Devon! Praise the creator
For all the past years and those to come.
Bells will ring out now all over Devon.
We shall praise God here Amen! Amen.
