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I also have very fond memories of Derek. We shared a love of photography and I gained so much from his professional knowledge and expertise, which he readily shared. I also had the privilege of being baptised at the same time as Derek. Marion and I were really fortunate and blessed by his photography at our wedding. I seem to remember that he came out of "wedding photography retirement" especially for us. That certainly sounds like him, doesn't it?
My earliest memories of Derek are of his kindness in being part of a regular team to ferry us students safely home after evening meetings in the late 70s, and the joy of his "second" baptism. I remember his gentleness, kindness and sense of fun but, above all, his enduring servant heart through all those years of wedding photography.... So good to have known him.
Posted on behalf of Derrick Tickner ** Derek (his nickname in those days was “Foo Manchee”!) and I grew up together as part of a great bunch of young people attached to the Central Baptist Church in Worthing, in those far off days a church of some 600 members! Derek would never be seen without his camera (he was our photographer for our wedding in 1952) and I was his best man for his first wedding and endeavoured to walk with him during the sadness of that failing. Most of the young people of that era went on to serve God in various ways, and I myself have had the amazing privilege of being a Baptist pastor for more years than I care to remember. We will indeed be re-united in that day when “we shall see the Lord” in all His glory. Derrick (Tickner)
Over 40 years ago a group of us moved on from our then church to start something new with a charismatic emphasis. Most of us were young, but a few were old. Derek was one of those 'oldies' (well, at my then age someone who was 20 + years your senior was 'old'). Oh, the impertinence of youth. If only I had known then what I would later discover, that Derek was a true man of God with much to teach us. And I am talking more than church. Photography was Derek's job, but more than a job, it was his passion. He had some fun and revealing stories about his work, including the 'cheats' they used before Photoshop. He also, for some reason, liked model railways. Everyone to his own. Although not our official wedding photographer, Derek took the candid ones, for which Wendy and I were very grateful. Once, I helped to paint the outside of his house. For some reason we continued when it started raining and his window frames looked like the moon, all pitted and full of craters. I never knew why we carried on or whether he discretely repainted it later! I remember helping him with the tapes of the Sunday meetings, and then those new fangled things called CDs. Duplicating the latter was a lengthy business in those early days but the 'old' guy had it mastered. I also remember his love, compassion and concern for those both younger, and those older, than himself when he was part of the leadership of the original Silver and Gold. Finally, when age was beginning to take its toll, it was our privilege to be a member of the team who gave him lifts to and from the Sunday morning service. And when it wasn't our turn, it was always a delight to see and to speak to him before or after the meeting. Derek, you are now with our Lord. So, whatever you are doing in His presence, continue to do it well so that you can teach me when my time comes. Charlie and Wendy
This is the afternoon we spent in the garden. August/September 2019.
I absolutely adored my lovely grandad and will miss him terribly. Grandad was creative, inquisitive and innovative. Always intrigued by the latest gadget, gismo and tech. He dearly loved his family, photography, nature, trains and of course...biscuits. But above all he was caring and thoughtful and nothing was ever too much for him. I will always cherish the memories of weekend sleepovers, endless hours in the train room and him always forgetting his bumbag every single time he’s leave our house. Some of my many fond memories consist of weekend sleepovers where we would spend hours in the train room and then play this cassette tape assisted board game. I remember once something went wrong with the recording of either this game or something else we loved and grandad even retapped that part so we didn’t miss out. In a character voice of course ha. Him driving me to register with a recruitment agency for me to get my first proper job and visiting him after I’d just had an interview to tell him all about it. And more recently afternoon I spent with him in the just in his back beloved garden chatting away. It’s so lovely to see the photos that he took at your weddings he really did love his job and always told me how he felt so lucky to have been able to do what he loved and was so passionate about as his job.
Memories of Derek go back a long way. When Jeanette and I first joined the church, Derek and Mary were very hospitable to us. He was the photographer at our wedding: we’ve only recently realised that, with a church full of young people, how many Saturdays he gave up, from early morning until the couple had departed on honeymoon, as the weddings came along thick and fast! Early on, I had the pleasure of being shown Derek’s train set with all its detail. Years later I took our son Clym to see it too - he was so excited by it! As others have said, Derek was full of kindness and love all through the years and always seemed to have a camera to hand whatever the event at church. Much later I was honoured to be able to maintain their garden. He and Mary were always cheerful and we had great chats about the veg they wanted to grow every year. The neighbours there always asked after Derek and Mary and at the end of the question, had a comment like ‘They’ve always been so kind to me/us’. My last conversation with Derek was on a regular visit last summer (I usually saw Linda, Julie or Carol on the visits there and won’t forget how amazing they all were with the caring rota at Raeburn) - he was still ‘Derek’ even with failing health. Memories of Derek – kindness, generosity and love. Enjoy the party in Heaven, and maybe take some pictures as well!
Message sent to the office from Pauline Knee-Robinson ** Raeburn Angelic Rescue Services - I well remember when I called on my dear friends Mary and Derek in desperation one night because I had overshot my driveway, and the front wheels of the car were stuck nose down in the mud and grass of the front garden. He asked me many questions, but then said he would be round to have a look. I knew that Mary would be praying too. Derek assessed the situation as the underneath of the car was wedged on the edge of the wall. He tried to move the car but it would not budge, he tried again using bricks stacked up strategically! Then he said with a sigh, tomorrow morning he would get, five strong men from the church to lift it up. My heart sank, and I was thinking NO, NO, because the next morning when daylight comes, all my neighbours would see the car nose down in the front garden, and not only that, all the Church will know what I have been up too!! But Derek looked up and said he would have one last try! And with a heartfelt cry to God, the car gradually went up, and up onto the drive. We were so thankful to God for His kindness that day. When I saw Mary later she told me that Derek had been in bed with a bad cold, but that he came straight out to help me, and his cold completely disappeared. She said that she had dispatched angels to lift the car up. Praise the Lord. Derek had a lovely sense of humour and his drawings were an added memory of events! He was kind and helpful when there was a great need. To God be the glory for a lovely man of God now in glory! Pauline Knee-Robinson
I have had the privilege of knowing Derek for decades. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. So kind, wise, - both on Godly wisdom and general wisdom. He was thoughtful, caring, and always willing to help and encourage. I remember one occasion, when I was doing the catering for a wedding, and he was the photographer. I was really stressed, and he came over, said it was going well, and compared me to a swan, he said it all looks calm and in control, even though, like a swan, I was swimming frantically! He knew how to say the right word for the moment, - something I benefitted from on many occasions.. More recently we used to both attend a meeting together. As we lived not too far apart we took turns in driving, one week I drove, the next he did, and I so valued those chats on the journeys, and so benefitted from his wisdom and insight. He was a really special man, and I'm so grateful for the times we shared, and I am richer for them.
How do you summarise a literal life time of memories of your Grandad. It’s impossible but I am so blessed that the memories are all so happy. As a child I loved to spend days constructing the buildings and the scenery for the train room with grandad. Much to his amusement I was a stickler for the correct scale and would often ask him to hide certain cars when we went up to play. Cool days with lots of cups of tea and ginger nut biscuits. As an adult I have enjoyed our discussions on photography and sharing pictures that I had taken on trips with my wife. Although not sure he approved that I use a Canon over Nikon. Will certainly miss him lots.
Derek was a lovely man who radiated Jesus in every way. Loved working with him in my years at Silver & Gold. Always gave 100% to all in the group and had time for everyone. Great memories of afternoon teas and day trips out with him as part of the group. We all benefited enormously from his wisdom and Bible knowledge and his ongoing testimony of God at work in his life through good times and difficult times alike. We will all miss him loads but good to know he is now with Jesus and that we will see him again.
Derek took the photographs at our wedding, September 17th 1977. We have known Derek for over 45 years! We always marvelled at his incredible head of hair, which remained throughout the years, much to Nick's envy. He had a lovely sense of humour but most of all we remember his love for God and enduring faith in Jesus. We are so grateful that he was a founder member of New Community Church, then known as Barnabas. What an adventure this has been with Derek recording the many years in photographs not least the many weddings he has captured over the decades. Thank you Derek, a good and faithful servant. Nick and Gill (Lewis) x
Derek is a brilliant example of why I grew up to love the church: we have been joined to one another through the victory of Jesus, to do life together. Derek was there for my baptism, he was the photographer at my wedding and recorded my first sermon (I hope that CD got recycled!). When I recall my church experience growing up, and the characters who made a difference, Derek will certainly be a face I picture. We share a sure and certain hope! Tim and Liz Blaber
Our memories of Derek go right back to when we became Christians in the early seventies. For all the time that we were in Sidcup, Derek was there. He was such a faithful servant of God. He’d be there at the prayer meetings, at the socials, at the weddings (normally behind the camera), in fact at every part of church life. He truly was a special man and we are so grateful that we shared the journey with him for so many years. He will be so missed. Well done Derek! You ran your race so well! Steve and Ann Blaber
Ian Parfitt
Ian Parfitt
Here's another photographic memory of Derek - at our wedding. (It's good to share "proper" shiny colour prints of Derek as these were part of who he was.)
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