Posted on 27 September, 2025

Revd Canon Colin Gough – a celebration

In my monthly update post for June 2024 I featured my friend Colin Gough and his writing, including the memoir A Goodly Heritage. In 2015 I attended the 40th anniversary celebration of his ordination into the Church of England. Invited in April to the golden anniversary service in Shilbottle today 27 September 2025, I had to decline as I was already booked on a trip abroad but gladly took up the request to send a thought for the occasion. I amended my closing lines within the last month knowing that Colin had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, but still expected him to be able to take an active part in the service and lunch following. He was certainly able to do so in the preparations. The event takes on a different aspect following Colin’s death on 16 September, but as I understand he wished will go ahead and no doubt remain a celebration of his life and works.

Canon Colin Gough

Came rookie red-cheeked to our grammar school,

A butt, though briefly, quick to learn Joe thought.

New beard brought gravitas, nobody’s fool.

Our first acquaintance teacher you, me taught,

Not always easy friendship, oddtimes fraught.

 

Come Cambridge you would visit us at Corpus

Oxford nearer to your Cuddesdon lay,

Led you to priesthood, me to little purpose.

If doubt is treason, as dictators say,

No argument, yours is the better way.

 

Gone fifty years since ordination,

On this high day regrets and love I send

Unto your worthy celebration.

God knows if there is world without an end,

He’ll share it gladly with you, my dear friend.