Author: lbhwriter2025

David Church at Southwark Cathedral

The news of David Church’s passing hit us all very hard, but the one ray of light was Southwark Cathedral.

After receiving news that one of their parishioners had died, they offered to conduct a memorial service and bury his ashes in their churchyard.

This is exceptional. They did not have to do that.

A very special thanks to Dr. Oakley and Canon Rawson for their immense efforts and deep consideration.

It took a bit of organising, but the service happened last Thursday. Sadly Anita, Dave’s next of kin, could not attend, our thoughts go out to her.

Typically, the weather was horrible, we were all under the cosh of the flu. Yet getting to the Cathedral was not a chore, rather a pleasant reminder of a dear neighbour who passed.

Southwark Cathedral is very organised. I had barely entered before I was directed towards the Harvard Chapel by a very polite lady.

The chapel where the service was held is a small, lovely, intimate place.

Canon Rawson, the sub-Dean of the Cathedral himself, conducted the main service along with his colleagues.

It was a very personal service. We could give our own memories of Dave. Everyone spoke kindly of him and we remembered his endearing personality and quirks.

There was a wonderful rendition of Handel’s Messiah (Dave loved classical music). It was well attended by about 20 people with everyone thinking and speaking fondly of Dave.

Afterwards, his ashes were buried in the churchyard.

Thanks to Bobby Dixon for the lovely photos, and to the Verger for his care of Dave’s ashes.

2025 – a partial review at LBH.

First off, 2026 must be a little better for a lot of us who caught flu at the end of 2025 and are still suffering from it or its after-effects. Naturally, things are a bit slower this January at LBH.

Obviously, reviewing any year is always going to be partial and very subjective. In that regard 2025 was no different, particularly for me.

I have tried to include the cheerful stuff whenever possible. Please forgive any lapses, as I missed a lot, being stuck in bed coughing up my lungs up for a chunk of 2025 or seeing some medical specialist.

1 Despite a great deal of sadness and losing some of our beloved neighbours, my overall feeling is that 2025 was a year of positive improvement for Lucy Brown House as there were plenty of good changes, and hopefully more to come.

2 But in 2025 we lost the redoubtable David Church (No. 17). However, Southwark Cathedral held a magnificent service for him and his ashes have been buried in their churchyard. I can almost see him smiling down from heaven at the very thought of it.

Other neighbours gone in 2025 were:
John Murray (No. 10),
Juliette Ragas (No. 29),
and Annie Day (No. 9).

3 The gardens improved dramatically in 2025, thanks to the excellent work by Matt and his volunteers. They tidied up the areas and planted a variety of new bulbs. Separately, Steve painted some of the statues. The marvellous human dynamo, Bobby Dixon, was responsible for trimming everything down, fixing much of the garden furniture, and clearing out numerous bags of old vegetation. He deserves a Gardeners’ Question Time medal. Sadly, the fish pond was apparently attacked by a fox and is now in need of serious maintenance, tender loving care (TLC), and a new oxygen pump.

4 Yet 2025 was truly the year of social events at Lucy Brown House. The arrival of Bobby and Caroline changed everything. We had a lovely Pie and Mash thank-you late lunch/dinner and then a splendid Halloween event followed by Jan’s birthday gatherings. All events were open to all residents and well attended.

5 Charmaine was ever-present and always willing to help any resident. Her Friday morning coffee sessions are lovely and she makes the most wonderful cakes by hand. Marks & Spencer should be jealous.

6 There was a changeover of local leadership. We welcome Abed and Sagal, two very proactive and helpful officials.

7 Xmas saw LBH replete with excellent decorations and wondrous Christmas trees. A Christmas dinner was sent in by our friends at Blackfriars Settlement, thank you very much! Presents too from Team Bankside.

8 Our new favourite neighbour is naturally Barry.

Barry is an English bulldog and one of the loveliest canines you could wish to meet.

He is very affectionate, a bit lazy, and doesn’t growl. He’s a very pleasant dog and a perfect new neighbour. Whoof!

9 Finally, our thoughts are constantly with Beverley and Liston, and we send them our support and strength as they navigate these difficult times.

[Links to events will be updated over the next week or so.]

Twelfth Night at LBH

Finally, the 12th night has arrived at Lucy Brown House.

A xmas treet well decorated.

Our lovely decorations are coming down which is in part sad, but it also signifies the new beginning, the arrival of the New Year 2026 and better weather.

It’s very cold, yet the sun is out and we have something to look forward to, more excellent gatherings with our neighbours.

In the last four plus months we have had some marvellous get-togethers at LBH and they will be covered in future posts, but for the moment enjoy the spectacle of our Xmas decorations.

Big thanks to Bobby and the team!

Lucy Brown House news #1, 2026

1 Delayed New Years gathering

There will be an age-appropriate gathering in the garden day room on Friday, 9th January 2026, 4pm onwards, and a games evening later! The games evening has been postponed due to illness.

Tea, nibbles and soft drinks available. Bring any snacks you fancy. ALL are welcome.

2 David Church’s service

David Church’s service is taking place at Southwark Cathedral: 15th of January 2026, at 3pm.

We should be going over earlier, please do join us to pay our respects to Dave.

3 Friday morning

The lovely Charmaine is hosting her regular tea, cakes and a chat session on Friday morning 11am  to 1pm in the garden day room.

Everyone is welcomed.

Xmas News- update

As Xmas slowly comes into view the elves were circling around Lucy Brown House today, a quick update:

1. The excellent people from Plan Zheroes stuffed one of the fridge-freezer full of goodies. Plenty of healthy fruit and veg. Thank you.

2. The INDESIT fridge-freezer is broken and leaks, do not use. It has been moved into the corner.

3. The dynamic duo, Bobby and Caroline, are doing some Xmas nosh in the garden day room, maybe 3pm or a little earlier on Christmas day.

4. All welcome: there will be a big Boxing day gathering in the garden day room on the 26th December 2025, thanks to Caroline’s superb catering skills. Bobby is rumoured to be the maître d’hôtel for the day.

5 The Met Office weather forecast is for rather cold weather, so please wrap up if you are venturing out.

6. There is an early service at Southwark Cathedral on the 25th December 2025, details here.

7. Also close-by is the Church of the Most Precious Blood at O’Meara Street, London, SE1 1TE. The services calendar is here and they even have a YouTube channel, where they stream many events.

Dave Church’s funeral

Bobby Dixon writes about David Church’s funeral:

“Dear all,

Thank you for attending David Church’s funeral at Honor Oak Park, and thank you to Canon Rawson for doing the service.

David had his favourite music played, classical music of course.

Albin, the funeral service guys, really looked after him as David did not have much of a family, so he thought of his friends who were like family, so again thank you to the residents who attended the funeral

We did have a small get together back at Lucy Brown House to give David a bit of a send off, so thank you again.

Also Canon Rawson has now received David’s ashes. He has said he will take very good care of David, until 15th January 2026.

This is when Canon Rawson will be doing a service at 3pm at Southwark Cathedral so anyone who wants to attend please do.

regards

Bobby”

Dave Church’s arrangements

The great Dave Church passed from this world on the 13th September 2025.
He will be cremated on Monday 24th November 2025, 9 am at Honor Oak Crematorium.

Want to attend? Please talk to Bobby/Brian

Transport is being organised, leaving around 8am on Monday, 24th November 2025.
Southwark Cathedral has graciously said they will do a service for him in the future and his ashes will be buried in the Cathedral’s ground.

Welcome to 2025 at Lucy Brown House, London

[Notice: This website is NOT affiliated with Southwark Council in any capacity.]

Welcome to a community website for residents of Lucy Brown House (LBH) in London, created by a LBH resident.

This site serves as a hub for information about the building itself, its rich history, on-going events and the story of the surrounding area.

You will also find links to useful websites, local organisations, and Southwark Council’s repairs department to help with practical matters.

Most importantly, we have dedicated a space to honour and remember our departed neighbours, keeping their memories alive within our community.  Update: David Church’s arrangements.

[Notice: This website is NOT affiliated with Southwark Council in any capacity.

We cannot provide assistance or information related to Southwark Council services, housing issues, or other council matters. For all inquiries, please contact Southwark Council directly.

Remember: This website is NOT affiliated with Southwark Council in any capacity.]