The flag hung limply at half mast over the church of St. John the Baptist, Shedfield as Parishioners gathered to say “Farewell” to one of their most loved members, the Rev’d Geoffrey Morrell who died, aged 61, in September in Queen Alexandra hospital, Cosham. Extra seating had to be hastily arranged to accommodate nearly 500 mourners coming from many different areas.
Geoffrey Bernard Morrell was born in Lincolnshire and could have played in goal for Nottingham Forest football club had he not been called to the priesthood. He studied at King’s College, London University and Warminster Theological College and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1969. Unfortunately for such a keen sportsman, he developed renal failure and needed to dialyse twice a week. Geoff completed his training at St.Alban’s church, Leigh Park with the Rev’d Norman Woods and at St.Clare’s church with the Rev’d John Willard, both of whom took part in the service of Thanksgiving for Geoff’s life, along with the Rev’d Andrew Sangster who had been at college with Geoff and the present vicar of Shedfield, the Rev’d Shirley Henderson.
After six years at Leigh Park, in 1976 Geoff and his wife Maxine moved to St. John the Baptist Church, Shedfield. There he remained as a dedicated and much respected priest until his retirement in 2002. Everyone in the parish was delighted when their daughter Rebecca was born and, later, sons Alexander and Edward. In spite of the difficulties over Geoff’s dialysis and the demands of a growing family, Maxine and Geoff’s home was an open house and their garden was well used, particularly for the summer fetes.
Geoff threw himself into the busy life of the church and the parish. He made an immediate impact with his family services, becoming known as “The vicar with the boxes” as he used cardboard packing boxes to illustrate his theme, getting the young people to build them up in the chancel of the church. Geoff was very much involved with the village school both in teaching and taking assemblies. He was chairman of the Governors and faced the difficulties of finding a site for a new school then dealing with all the legal complications of the transfer with typical persistence! There are many young adults in our parish and beyond who knew no other person as their priest while they were growing up. His life and teaching has had a profound influence on them, some of whom he has guided to the priesthood.
The elderly and sick found Geoff a constant source of help and his ministry to the dying and bereaved gave both comfort and support. Geoff also took on the extra duties of being Rural Dean. Then when John Willard moved to a parish in Hackney, the Hackney Link was begun. This has continued with visits between the Deaneries and a regular Christmas delivery of gifts from the Deanery to the poor of this inner city area.
For many years Geoff took part in the Christian Aid sponsored walks and the occasional “Crumblies” cricket match which raised much needed parish funds, cricket being another of his interests. When health constraints prevented him from active participation, Geoff turned his lively mind to heading up the parish Millennium celebrations from which came his dream of “Trust 2000”. Feeling convinced that something more than happy memories of parties or static monuments should come from the celebrations, Geoff appealed to the residents of the parish to raise a considerable sum of money to be carefully invested. The interest would be used to help disadvantaged young people both abroad and more locally.
Well over £50,000 was raised which has been boosted by the proceeds from balls held at New Place, Shedfield. Each year the parish is asked to nominate, and then vote for, a suitable charity to benefit from the interest raised the previous year. Probably the most visible of Geoff’s achievements is the Study Centre. He spearheaded the building adjacent to the parish church – one room is called “The Morrell Room” – which has proved of immeasurable benefit to the life of the church.
Amongst other activities that take place in the Study Centre is a monthly luncheon club that Geoff regularly attended. The Study Centre stands as a memorial to Geoff’s wish to make the Church the heart of village life and provide a centre for service to everyone. Even after he had retired to live in a specially adapted house in Waltham Chase, Geoff continued to be an inspiration to many making use of email messages.
Typically, Geoff planned his own Thanksgiving Service. He selected the hymns and readings which included extracts from “Well” by Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy. At the family’s request, tribute was paid to the love, support, friendship and kindness given to Geoff by the parishioners. The choir, conducted by Julia Burgess with her husband David accompanying, sang John Rutter’s setting of “For the beauty of the Earth” and, as befitted a football fan, the recessional music, sung by all, was “You’ll never walk alone”. Steve Campion, lay reader, read from the gospel according to John, chapter 15. What he could not plan were the moving tributes given to their father by his children, Rebecca, a solicitor, Alexander, a climate analyst and Edward, a tree surgeon, which raised a spontaneous round of applause from the packed church. Also present with Maxine were Geoff’s mother, Doreen, his brother and sister, Roger and Elizabeth, Alexander’s partner Rosy and the latest addition to the family, 8 month old grandson William in whom Geoff took much pride and pleasure. After the service, a considerable amount of money was donated in Geoff’s memory to Trust 2000.
A private cremation took place at Chichester crematorium, but many from the congregation returned to the Study Centre to meet Maxine and Geoff’s family. Refreshments were prepared by Trina Hillier and her team, with cakes made by members of the Mothers Union and drinks supplied by the Men’s Group.
An appreciation can recount the deeds of a man but still not capture the man himself. Everyone will have personal memories of Geoff but tributes at the service summed up his character. Norman Woods recalled a physical giant with a booming voice, his determination, courage, sense of humour and devotion to his parishioners. Edward spoke of his ability to listen, to give good advice, to forgive and to love. Rebecca remembers him as a devotee of sport, compassionate, forthright, and generous with his time – the best Dad ever. Alexander used the metaphor of the baton of life and maybe this is the best memorial for Geoff – that we try to run with the baton Geoff has handed to us.
