Reverend Kenneth Cheeseman             

 

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By then his path to the ministry had already begun. At 12 he met the Vicar of St Barnabus, Southfields and soon became involved in the vibrant Church community joining the choir, and becoming a Server and the leader of a thriving Scout Troop. It was at St Barnabus that he became aware of his vocation, but was concerned by his lack of the necessary academic qualifications. So began his years of weekend and evening study. He left the Bank after 10 years, to work for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, hoping to further his chances of entering the Priesthood.           

Ken’s perseverance reaped its rewards in1963, when 18 years after leaving school and two heart-breaking rejections by the selection board he was awarded a place at Rochester Theological College.  In 1967, came the happiest day of his life, when he was ordained Priest at Rochester Cathedral. He was licensed, as Curate, firstly at St Paulinus, Crayford and then at St James, Beckenham. In 1975 he became vicar of St Augustine, Belvedere, where he remain for eight very happy years and made many friends.  Always a humble and modest man, Ken had thought his lack of university education might diminish the value of his Ministry. However, his Christian conviction, compassion, and dedication to pastoral care far outweighed this concern and in 1983, he was the unanimous choice of Keeble College, Oxford for the living at St James. The Church Wardens in both Yarmouth and Thorley could not believe their luck, especially when Audrey was able to join Ken, having decided to take early retirement. 

The next 11 years were blessed with the familiar figure of Father Ken, as Rector of St James’ and Vicar of St Swithin’s, in his black cassock pounding the highways and byways of the West Wight listening to, and ministering to his parishioners’ needs. Both he and Audrey involved themselves in the Church school, and local groups and societies. Ken was first and foremost a people person, able to remember everyone’s name after just one meeting, and the rectory was open house to all. On one memorable occasion he joined the lifeboat crew for a practice rescue, and shortly after leaving harbour was spotted, cassock billowing, flying through the air suspended from the helicopter. We are all grateful that they devoted so much of themselves to the parishes. It was a sad day for them and us when they retired. 

In retirement, having fallen in love with the Island, they moved to Godshill where, true to form, Ken devoted much of his time helping in the parishes of Shanklin, Wroxall, and St Lawrence. He was so well known and

valued, that he was in constant demand for weddings, christenings and funerals. He kept in touch with his previous parishioners, attending social functions when invited and taking care not to upset his successors in the living. The presence of over 250 people at the Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for his life, held at the Parish Church of St James, Yarmouth, is a testament to Ken’s great qualities and the esteem in which he is held. This is echoed in the many, many cards and letters that Audrey has received. Amongst those letters was one from Timothy Bavin, the Bishop of Portsmouth at the time of Ken’s incumbency in Yarmouth and Thorley. I am sure that he would not mind if I quote an extract from that letter: 

“Ken was the best kind of Priest in the Church of England - quiet, faithful, and very much loved – one of God’s saints. So, now surely he enjoys life in its fullness, with those he loved so well.”

The above was adapted from the Eulogy written and delivered at Father Ken’s Service by Ken Grist.  His remains have been interred in the Churchyard at St Swithin’s, Thorley, at his request.