A Tribute Len Thomas


Dorothy Colley McNair Harold Whetnall


C


hristleton has lost three stalwart members of the church community this last


month. Len Thomas, Dorothy Colley McNair and Harold Whetnall. All three played an important role, in their distinctive ways, Len as churchwarden, sidesman, assistant at communion, pianist and as chorister over many years. He served St James loyally and with distinction, and brightened our lives with his wonderful cheery and understated humour. Len was born in Bethesda in North Wales, and when times in the slate mining quarries were hard the family moved to Caernarvon. After service in the Army at Catterick, and working in Holyhead and Cardiff, he came to Chester as an Engineer with the Electricity Board in 1961. Sadly his first wife Beryl died in 1961, but two years later married Dorothy his sister in law, and they lived happily in Christleton until Dorothy died in 1991. Len continued his commitment to church life and was also a devoted family man, loving nothing more than following their lives and careers, and meeting


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up with them whenever possible. Illness gradually made life difficult for him and he became even more reliant on his radio and television, reliving his times in Wales and all things Welsh especially through his great love of music. He will be missed especially by his family and the church choir. A very poignant perhaps significant event took place as Len’s coffin was being taken in procession to the Lych Gate, when a beautiful male song thrush burst into its loud, melodic song, singing from a perch high up on the church tower, How appropriate it seemed to those of us present.


Dorothy Colley McNair was another remarkable person, not only caring for a young family, and supporting her husband Tim a respected tailor when they moved to Chester, but being inspirational in her leadership of all things creative in the area. Her influence was immense, and can be seen in her work, or in that she inspired. Her major work was to design and organise the making of the 1992 embroideries for the 900th


St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazine


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