Memorial to long-serving Borders Minister – The Reverend William Thompson

REV. BILL THOMPSON MEMORIAL    July 2011.
The memorial to the late Bill Thompson is taking slightly longer than anticipated, however, I can confirm that endless discussions within the family have taken place with regard to the design of the memorial. Once Bill’s daughter, Harriet, has all the necessary information to put forward to the organising committee, then a meeting will take place and thereafter the proposals will be put in front of the Session for their final approval. Hopefully, by the time the next Parish Page is published in November, I will have further information to give. The fund continues and anyone who would still like to make a donation is welcome to do so.

Fiona Geddes

November 2010
The stonemason has now been instructed to start preparing the memorial stone. This will be completed by a nephew of Vida Thompson. Thereafter he will let us know what sort of timescale it will take to complete the work. We originally hoped that the unveiling could be done around the second anniversary of Bill’s death in June 2011. More information will be available in the next publication of the Parish Page.
Donations are still coming into the fund which will stay open for a few more weeks yet. If you would like to make a donation then please send it to the Kirk Teasurer, Fiona Geddes.

July2010
Oxnam Kirk Session has given its blessing to the erection of a memorial tablet in Oxnam Kirk in memory of The Reverend William Thompson, who died in June 2009 after a lifetime’s ministry.

A well-known and keenly remembered person throughout the Borders, Mr. Thompson served four parishes throughout his working life in Roxburghshire. Appointed as Minister of Oxnam in 1950, he later took on the parishes of Roxburgh, Eckford and Crailing. He retired in 1997.

His forty-seven years service covered two and even three generations of family life for many parishioners, as he guided them through marriage, baptism, confirmation and funeral services. His influence extended throughout the Borders as his parishioners married and moved within the region. Leaving Borders General Hospital one day towards the end of his life, he and his younger daughter were greeted by nurse who rushed forward to give him a hug, saying that Mr. Thompson could not leave without her saying goodbye because he had looked after her family for so many years.

At Mr. Thompson’s funeral last year in Oxnam, Andrew Polwarth said of him: “He was perhaps at his best in a one-to-one situation, but he nevertheless played a role in public life, sitting as a councillor for many years. He was also at one time the youngest ever clerk to the presbytery.” He continued: “Bill had a deep and unshakeable faith. There was a certainty in his spiritual life, which served as a beacon for his parishioners and friends. He did not thrust his belief on others, but readily discussed religion if asked to do so. For Bill his parish work was paramount. There was not a baptism, marriage or funeral but he was there, often interrupting his own private time to attend. He worked hard for his parishioners and he was well liked. Everyone mattered to Bill. He knew their life story and their family’s roots in the community. He followed the practice of visiting his parishioners, and they in turn attended his services. To be prepared by Bill for confirmation or marriage, and to stand here and be welcomed by him into the church, into THIS church must have been an experience of the most profound spiritual significance”.

The memorial, now approved by the Kirk Session, will be in the form of a small stone on the interior wall of Oxnam Kirk, the lettering engraved by a nephew of his wife Vida. A committee of local people is now bringing the project forward.

Contributions towards the memorial are most welcome from any person or family who may wish to be associated with this memorial to such a loved, respected and long-serving Minister. Donations may be handed anonymously to any of the Oxnam Kirk Elders or sent to the Treasurer, Miss Fiona Geddes, c/o Charles & R.B. Anderson W.S., Royal Bank Buildings, Jedburgh TD8 6DF (Tel: 01835 865106).

The amounts contributed will not be divulged, but anyone leaving their name will be invited to the unveiling of the memorial. Further information and news of the project will be available on the Oxnam Kirk website (www.oxnamkirk.co.uk) and announced in the local papers.