Farewell to Uckfield rector

Farewells were said yesterday to the Rev Brian Wilcox, rector of Holy Cross Church, Uckfield, St Margaret’s, Isfield, and St Michael’s, Little Horsted.

The rector is retiring and moving to Norfolk to be near his son and daughter-in-law. He has been in Uckfield for 14 years and a minister for 38 years.

A special gift among many he received after a farewell service at Holy Cross Church was a cushion made by the Crafty Ladies, a crafts group, and presented by Sue Alcorn.

Mr Wilcox revealed that the fabric used to make the cushion had been donated by him to the group and its return was significant because the material was that left over after his first vestments were made 38 years ago.

Uckfield Bonfire and Carnival Society gave the rector framed words of the song Sussex by the Sea, the county’s unofficial anthem.

Society president Mel Watts told how each year the Sussex Association of Bonfire Societies gathered at Holy Cross Church for a carol service. He said members appreciated the hats the rector wore to add fun to the occasion.

He told how one year Mr Wilcox officiated in a Mel Watts costume, complete with bowler hat and colourful waistcoat.

Mr Watts said the rector was also one of the “three revs” who said prayers during the carnival processions through Uckfield High Street each year and he would be missed in the future.

Churchwarden David Youngman gave an idea of the amount of work that lay on the shoulders of the rector as he served his three parishes.

Among the things mentioned were services throughout the day on Sundays with more during the week and assemblies in Holy Cross and Little Horsted schools where he was also a governor.

Each of the three churches had parochial church councils which the rector chaired and over-saw.

He was responsible for the fabric of all the churches and Mr Youngman reeled off a list of the works done in the past 14 years.

In addition a men’s breakfast meeting had been set up and hot potato discussion evenings organised.

Parishioners were visited at home and in hospital and support offered to them during difficult times.

Parishioners presented Mr Wilcox with a cheque for £2,500 and he also received a framed picture of Holy Cross Church.

Ministers from other Uckfield churches took part in yesterday’s service. They included Fr Stephen Hardaker, parish priest of St Philips; the Rev Malcolm Newman, minister, Uckfield Methodist Church; the Rev Keith Rudman, minister Uckfield Baptist Church; Robert Thursfield, leader, Kings Church and the Rev David Tutt, deacon of St Philips.

Mr Wilcox revealed, for the first time since taking over as rector in Uckfield, that in 1976, just a few years into his ministry, he came to the town hoping to take on a curacy but was turned down for the role.

He went on to serve at four rural parishes in Northamptonshire, then at Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire before the wheel of time brought him back to Uckfield to become rector.

Now, Mr Wilcox said, it was hard to leave friends, hard to leave the fellowship he had known for so long in the town but he had always known that one day there would come a time to say goodbye so that his successor’s ministry could flourish.

He added: “But be very sure of this: I will hold you in my prayers. You have a very special place in my heart. While I shall be far away my successor will know I am always ready to listen. I will unfailingly support whoever is appointed. I will offer advice or counsel if I am asked but I will not be a back seat driver.”

As a final flourish when the service ended Mr Wilcox donned the Mexican hat belonging to one of the bonfire society members. See below. Many thanks to Ron Hill for allowing us to use his photographs.

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