CREDITON Parish Church was packed with people for Dr Christopher Maycock’s memorial service on Friday, September 30.  He died on May 7 this year – a smaller funeral service had already taken place in June at Posbury Church. 

Moving and celebratory with frequent elements of humour, this fitting celebration of Christopher’s life was conducted by the Rector, the Rev Matthew Tregenza. 

All hymns and readings had been chosen by Christopher.  Tributes were given by Christopher’s son, James, Christopher’s sister, Angela, and old friend, David Pulvertaft, a member of Christopher’s monthly lunch group, SNAILS (Still Not Altogether Incapable Of Lunching Sometimes). 

Readings were wonderfully varied, from Dylan Thomas to Mahatma Gandi, William Blake to St Paul’s “Epistle To The Romans” – read respectively by David Gurney, Professor David Catchpole, the Prebendary Mark Bate and Deryn Addington. 

Christopher’s son, James, recited a section of “Paradise Lost” – which Christopher had requested to be read as if from himself to his wife, Rachel.

At the very end, a recording, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”, from 1954, of Christopher playing the banjo with the Lancing College Traditional Jazz Band, was picked up by clarinettist Andy Leggett and trombonist Terry Williams from the Darktown Strutters. 

They continued playing down the aisle, leading everyone out of the church to the reception at the Boniface Centre.

The reception buzzed with people recounting positive memories of Christopher, from personal anecdotes to his many professional contributions to Crediton and Devon life. 

The memorial donations are to be divided equally between Hospiscare and Crediton Food Bank.

Anyone wishing to donate in Christopher’s memory may do so through funeral directors, A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ (email: [email protected] ).