Soon after Tom came to St Mary's, I told him that I was passed the official retirement age for a Reader and I was quite willing to 'step down'.    He said then, and several times since:  'you continue as long as you wish'.   This I have done:  thanks to his encouragement, understanding and forbearance.   He knows that as I gradually gave up some Reader's duties, when I finally retired few would notice so I hoped that I would avoid any public acknowledgement.    At the A.C.M. I found he had ignored my wish.   In retrospect, I'm glad he did, for I have the opportunity publicly to thank him together with all of you of St Mary's.

 As a teacher I know that, at a gathering, the listeners contribute as much as the speaker.   (A brilliantly prepared lesson is lost with a restless class!)   When preaching, leading prayers I have been buoyed up by feeling that the congregation was with me, wishing me well.   Patricia's eulogy at the A.C.M. was a tribute to the community of St Mary's:  without your support I wouldn't have survived as a Reader.

 I much appreciate the presents.   The flowers in the bouquet lasted well and were much admired.   Already I have used part of the generous tokens - three books on special offer!   There is much more to be cashed.   It is a great joy to have money which must be spent on books.    It saves me from thinking that perhaps I should have borrowed from the library, bought something useful with the money or given it away.   I shall value the books , not just for their own sake but as tokens of what the community of St Mary's means to me.

 In 1961, before I came to Merton Park, Evelyn and Leonard Cowie told me that St Mary's was a very caring church.   Since then there have been many changes but this, I know, has remained the same.

 I am most grateful for all your friendship, kindness, tolerance, all your caring ....

words are inadequate.