We are grateful to Gwen for sharing news of a concert being given in memory of Richard McLaren and his mother, Nancy, on Saturday 18 May 2024. The concert takes place in Coventry Cathedral at 3.00pm followed by refreshments. Gwen will be attending – do let her know if you too would like to join her.

Gwen also shares some memories of Richard, a man many people in Charlton may not remember. Richard was educated at Eton before going to theology college. He became a Curate at St Luke’s in the 1970s, working with our then Rector, Tony Crowe. They became great friends until they both died in 2022, Tony on the evening of Thursday 27 January and Richard the following morning. As Gwen says, ‘they probably walked through the pearly gates together!’ Richard had been the first deacon to be ordained in the crypt of the new Coventry Cathedral three years before its consecration.

Soon after he arrived at St Luke’s, Richard was persuaded to join Gwen in the pantomime Cinderella, playing the part of ‘Randy.’ He was a scream! At the time he was living in a bungalow attached to St Mary’s Church, which stood in Charlton Park Lane. The rehearsals for the show were held in the church. Richard later moved to Elliscombe Road where he had his own chapel, before moving to join the staff at St Mary Abbott in Marylebone.

At Marylebone, Richard was one of the instigators for converting the crypt into a drop-in centre, etc, for those in need. He went on to become a fundraiser for The Church of England.

Gwen reminisces that she and her late husband, George, stayed close friends with Richard and Tony, meeting up regularly. Gwen concludes ‘I obviously miss all 3 of them. However, they are now with the Lord, in a better place.’

May they rest in peace and rise in glory.