In Memory of Stan Pike (1916-2007) Stanley Hale Pike – known to us as Stan was born on the 29th September 1916. He died at the age of 90 on the 26th June 2007. A long and prosperous life lived in the knowledge and love of God. Indeed his life expectancy at birth was short – he developed whooping cough, far more serious then than now, and the Minister was sent for and Stan was baptised in the front room. Had he died then as a young baby the truth is that he would be no less precious in God’s sight than he is now as he enters into glory. In the depression of the 1920’s. Stan served his time under Miss Parfitt at All Saints Church Alton and was keen to ensure his attendance card was stamped. A discipline that stood him well throughout his life. Stan was a faithful member of Knaphill Methodist Church and was here regularly each and every Sunday setting an example to a generation where church has equal standing with other contemporaneous events. Mind you he was also quick to pick up an interest in the girls. In his memoirs he recalls his first “lady love” in the person of Violet Jones who passed his house everyday on her way to and from school. Being a gentleman he states “I viewed her from afar”. Childhood was spent fishing and playing. Often they would go to the cottage at the entrance to Flood Meadows and ask Mrs Wells for a glass of cold water. The cottage had a deep well in the garden – its only water supply. She according to Stan would always grumble but invariably gave the children a drink. She too impacted his life by her generosity and also her little bit of grumbling. Instantly my mind is taken to Jesus and his meeting with the woman at the well. Clearly Stan was learning about how behaviours and words and gestures impact us as we go about our lives. He learnt well – and was ever the gentlemen – thoughtful, kind and considerate. Stan had a remarkable memory and could name everyone in Ackender Road and beyond. This memory, another learnt skill, was to put him in good stead as he was fond of sitting and quoting scripture to me. I have to confess his recall was far better than mine. Indeed this skill was part of God’s provision for the man he would call to be a preacher. Certainly that memory meant that the word of our God would stand forever on Stan’s lips and he challenges us to pass it on to the next generation. In 1934 San left school and took a job at Kemps builders as a minor clerk. War interrupted his work experiences but over time he had got to know and fall in love with Elspeth who he married on 23rd August 1941 whilst stationed at Cowley. Shortly afterwards Stan was stationed abroad and set sail from Liverpool passing the cape and landing in Durban before travelling on to Bombay where the battery guns were set up. And there his life history stops – or at least in written form. In 1946 Graham was born and in 1947 Stan got a job working at Woking Borough Council. He remained with the council until retirement in 1981 and his final task was overseeing the massive development that became Goldsworth Park. More important his life was marked by stability and service. Alton / War / Woking and Childhood/ Working life at Woking BC and the Church. Indeed as a result Stan didn’t have much in the way of hobbies. Here was a man of God, working for God. And in the years between 1947 and 1962 Stan discovered God’s call on his life and trained to be a local preacher. Stan felt a calling and was accepted as a member of the order of Local Preachers, an order which I as a minister am proud to belong to. Ours is a traditional circuit and Local Preachers are listed in date order. Stan achieving his ninetieth year and his forty fifth in preaching, our second longest established local preacher. He with Elspeth’s support heard God’s call to prepare the way of the lord for a new generation, his real calling to prepare the way in his joint ministry with Elspeth around Sunday school and Stan became Sunday School Superintendent. It was clear that he was an influence for good demonstrating the values of love and justice which are so significant to his Christian faith. Stan’s faith was rock solid. It is perhaps best summed up in his testimony to Elspeth written in 2000. “ As her husband I have no hesitation in saying she was a 1st class wife, perfect lover and my best friend. How I miss her but as a Christian believer I look forward to seeing her again in heaven. This is the “Christian Hope!” I feel so sorry for those who have not experienced this. Stan may you rest in that hope to which God has called you. Words by Rev Nick Oborski Back To Memories