An Appreciation - Mackenzie Morgan Collins 1920-2013 (also published in the April 2013 issue of Wrington Village Journal ) Ken was a big man - in his powerful frame, in his voice leading the All Saints' congregation singing hymns and psalms Sunday by Sunday - in his case, from memory - and in the effort he put into community life, playing a vital role in many organisations, and helping individual residents in discreet ways undreamed of by others. He was well into his 80s when he finally gave up as Treasurer of the Wrington Charities, the sensitive and discreet work of whose trustees is much appreciated by those receiving vouchers to be spent in local shops every Christmas. He was awarded the BEM in 1993, the citation recognising his life of dedicated service to Wrington. He lived in Wrington all his life, except for the war years. He was a parish councillor for 33 years, Chairman for 24 years, before retiring in 1991. He became Treasurer of the Wrington branch of the Royal British Legion in 1949. His 38 years as churchwarden from 1962 carried on a tradition set by his great-grandfather in 1853, continued by his father from 1941 to 1950. He demonstrated total commitment to the church in matters both large and small. He was first to clear the churchyard paths after a fall of snow, removed unwanted shrubs from the church tower and floodwater from the boiler room, kept the tower clock wound and on time. He was steeped in the mysteries of change ringing. Ken, like his siblings, was born in Court Farm. One moonlit night he noticed a light in the locked church and went over to investigate. He took up a position from where he could see both north and south doors, and watched the light moving down the church interior. No one ever came out. He served in the RASC from 19th October, 1939 to 8th February, 1946. Once, while home on leave and attending morning service, the sermon seemed to be dragging and he sneaked a look at his watch. The then Rector, the Revd Arthur Hook noticed this and duly reprimanded him. This was small beer, according to Trevor Wedlake, given the scale of ecclesiastical misdemeanours which both of them engaged in during sermons when they were choirboys. On a personal note, a very short time after Veronica and I arrived in Wrington from Kent in 1967, I was asked by the then Rector, the Revd John Vine, to become Rector's Churchwarden. This horrified me for a number of reasons, not least because of the shock this must have caused to born-and-bred Wringtonians, steeped in the traditions of All Saints'. I admit to being petrified. I needn't have worried. Ken and Eve behaved so welcomingly towards us, as if this was the most natural thing to have happened, that we rapidly developed a sufficiently close relationship that, when we had our second son, Andrew in 1970, Ken was one of his godparents. Typically, Ken chose to receive his BEM from Sir John Wills in the Memorial Hall "with his friends, rather than go all the way up to Buckingham Palace." In reply to the citation, he said he'd only been carrying on a family tradition of service to the community - "it just came naturally." They don't make many like Ken these days. Richard Thorn                                                                                                                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ An Appreciation of Ken Collins (published in the May 2013 issue of Wrington Village Journal ) Almost all of Ken's life was spent in Wrington. At his funeral, thanks were given for; his lifetime service and commitment to the church, fifty years service to the British Legion, at least seventy five years to the cricket club as player, Captain, Treasurer and President, and forty years on the Parish Council, mostly as Chairman. He was Wrington's representative on the Swiss Air Disaster Fund looking after the needs of the Wrington children and families' welfare. He had for many years, with others, administered the village charities which gave tokens which could be used in the village shops for the elderly of the parish. Ken was the last of the 'Gladiators'. For many years he opened the batting against the fastest bowlers. He never wore batting gloves nor box, and never took a backward step. He played on pitches such as Axbridge and Brent Knoll where, apart from one mown strip, the cows had been grazing in the morning. Ken confronted problems in the same manner, as he played cricket: fiercely defending what he considered right for Wrington, especially with District Council Officers who tried to fob him off with promises of action. Ken would say simply, "That's not good enough." With all the other things he did, Ken still had time to help elderly persons with their income tax or any necessary forms, all completely confidentially. Wrington has much to thank him for: his commitment, service and the help he gave to many. He has been an inspiration to those who follow on. I also believe we must thank Eve, George and Louise for their support and help, which allowed Ken to give so much to us. We will all miss him. Roy Clements