All entries for Thursday 15 May 2008

Celebrating Stephen Timbrell, teacher, leader, evangelist, father & large gentle west–countryman

Writing about web page http://www.covdioc.org.uk/stephentimbrell.htm

Stephen Timbrell, head teacher of The Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry , died on Monday of cancer.

I’ve been fortunate to know Stephen Timbrell as a head teacher, in prayer and as a fellow parent as Stella joined Richard’s class & Tom, T-T in our house, became friends with John. He truly represented the Blue Coat School’s founding triangle of School, Family and Faith Community writ large.

What strikes me is how short a time he has been in Coventry making his achievements the more remarkable. Other people have catalogued his impact on my son’s school better that me over at this electronic book of condolence on the Coventry Diocese Site.

Since I heard an oncologist describe the ‘cancer personality’ I have seen it now for the third time in Stephen. When Stephen picked up Tom one Saturday morning from an overnight stay, he arrived at 10am, suited, having completed his first meeting of the day! God’s most vibrant creations are often short lived. The spirit blazed in Stephen Timbrell and has moved on, his purpose done.

I will remember Stephen Timbrell, teacher, leader, evangelist, large gentle west-countryman and dad who left his youngest son with the taste for real cider.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sallie-Anne, all of the Timbrell family, colleagues and pupils.

Robert McGonigle : 15 May 2008 14:25 |  Tags: Blue Coat School Canon Stephen Timbrell Stephen Timbrell |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem