To follow through the Amateur dramatics genre….If I was the Casting Director for Winnie the Poo – then Philip would be a must for the role of Eeyore ..where I reckon he could have been nominated for an Oscar. To Piglets good morning…Philips Eeyore would have said with great weight and meaning “I suppose it is for some”. As I got to know him better I would tease & cajole him about his view of life and we settled into a patter. Now I think its Philip who will be smiling in heaven as Jim the Artist has depicted him for us – thanks Jim for your pictures. I was Philip’s supporter on behalf of the Church family as he had no other – he valued us – I told him he was loved and cared for here. We did love and care for him….but he was hard work! Sometimes we were tested towards our limits! Philip was one of our most regular attendees – since the 1980s and he felt more at home and safe here than anywhere else. He was a vulnerable person with a probable undiagnosed autism – but also a son of the living God, a brother in Christ, to me he became:  loveable, downbeat, gloomy Eeyore, his glass is always half-empty. He spots the dark cloud rather than the silver lining for sure. Eeyore doesn't expect too much of himself or too many exciting things to happen, therefore remains quiet and subdued most of the time.  But….you will also see that in character …he had a gentle smile! On my last visit to see him the book out on his table was “Surprised by Joy” by CS Lewis…. The last entry in his notebook was: It isn’t you & me Lord its US Put you hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water Put you hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea Take a look at yourself and you will look at others differently Put you hand in the hand of the man from Galilee So we entrust you Philip into the Father’s hands…trusting that he has restored your smile for all of eternity.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Philip. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

Philip wrote poetry - just a few of his poems are published here in the stories section - please take a look