What can I say about Colin? I have got to know Colin more through his help as a sidesperson. Many Sundays I would arrive at Church and Colin would meet me in the Porch with these words, whether he was on duty or not – ‘I have done the hymn numbers, the doors to the ramp are opened, do you need anymore help’. At Christmas and any service where more than two sidespersons were required, Colin would always be there to help. When I was sorting out the sidespersons rota for December, even though he was unsure as to whether he would be at Church, he said put my name down for a couple of Sundays and I will contact you if anything changes – always thinking of others. He was punctual, willing and a very helpful sidesperson. We had the same favourite hymn and when we were both around, he would say ‘ our hymn is first, second or whatever’ and we would both exercise our lungs in the usual way!!!! I do miss Colin’s presence, but I feel honoured to have known him. God bless you Colin and rest in peace.
Maureen Dennis
Death of Our Travel Consultant
Colin Arlett had been a member of St John's for several years before I joined
the congregation. I was fascinated by a man that always wore his busman’s
uniform with four different coloured pens in his pocket. He told me how he was
born in Clapton and later moved to Chingford. -"Only one post code difference "
and that "Chingford (E4) has the largest postal district in England". He
attended local schools and had only one job and that was "on the buses". He
knew every station between
London
and Wick and every bus route in London. In fact he probably knew every bus
route in England. When ever I asked him the best way to any place he would tell
me the quickest and cheapest route. He would also tell me about the engineering
on the line and what delays to expect or what alternate to take.
On my travels he would always ask me to buy him a copy of the local Diocese
Directory and pick up a bus timetable. I even obliged by bringing the said
information back from New York.
On Millennium Eve, I and several million other people sang Auld Lang Syne and
danced the new millennium into existence. Walking back with thousands of other
people I heard "hello Helen" outside Liverpool Street Station. It was Colin
directing buses.
Over coffee on a Sunday he would always tell us which Archdeacon had a birthday
that day. He could tell us what date he went on what bus where, all years ago.
He knew every transport cafe in London and every code to get into a London
Transport canteen. Colin was careful what he ate, only English food, which could
be a problem at times.
Colin was a very generous man both with his time and his humour. We spent many
an hour laughing. I will miss him dearly and will fondly remember him when ever
I hear the hymn The Old Rugged Cross.
Helen Johnson.