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Our Chairman, opened the service and welcomed all those in attendance, on a bright, sunny and warm day… of course the aim of the ‘friends’ of Allerton Cemetery is to renovate the three chapels to their former glory and condition and as such put them to use once again, to meet a demand for a modern age…
Our ‘Service’ began with an opening prayer from the Reverend Canon, Ray Hutchinson, taken from Psalm: 139/1-11.
This was followed by a prayer of support, and the first of the songs sung by a local junior school, from Springwood Heath County Primary School, entitled ‘Morning has Broken’. It really was a great showing from this excellent school, and they were supported by their teachers, staff and parents, and I must admit they really are a credit, to the school, and many in the congregation and ‘friends’ who attended remarked on their politeness and behaviour throughout the whole event… a BIG thank you from all the ‘friends and guests to all the pupils from the school who had given up their own time to support the event…
A reading was then given by Musa Kaleem and Tahir Kahn, on behalf of the Liverpool Muslim Community, entitled ‘Verse of Throne’ as part of our interdenominational faith Service.
Musa Kaleem and Tahir Kahn
Of course… Allerton Cemetery, is in itself an Interdenominational Municipal Cemetery and there are sections for not only Church of England, Roman Catholic, and what was historically names ‘Non-Conformist’ (Methodists), to meet the ever increasing population of the city from pre-war times, the cemetery now supports faiths from the Jewish, Muslim and Chinese communities to woodland burials…
The service proceeded with a reading given by Gosia McKane, on behalf of the Merseyside Polonia (Polish) Community…
A touching rendition of ‘Candle in the Wind was given on keyboards, by local musician Michael Moon. Michael has been a working musician since the late 1950’s and has worked with many ‘known’ musicians as well as having personal album’s in his own right… it was good to see him again, and for him to give up his time and support to such a worthy cause as our service.
After Michael’s rendition of this nostalgic and iconic song, Mrs MX Li (MBE), Val Oprey and Leer Liang, got up and gave a reading, as representatives of the Pagoda Chines Community Centre…
After the reading, the choir from Springwood Heath County Primary School, once again gave a great vocal showing of ‘One little voice’ looked on by the whole congregation, and to much applause from the dignitaries and guests in attendance…
After this… The Rev. Cn. Ray Hutchinson, once again led those in attendance in prayer, and this was followed by readings from Janet Ireland representing The Dovedale Baptist Community and Anna Cohen, on behalf of the Liverpool Reform Synagogue…
For the final time we once again heard from Michael Moon, Michael was to give a poignant rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in honour of the Hillsborough victims, buried at the cemetery, here in Allerton…
The final address to the congregation was from Liverpool’s Deputy Mayor.. Councillor Peter Brennan. Who thanked everyone for taking part, and finished by stating, he was hopeful, that next year’s Ecumenical Service, would be next to a ‘scaffolded’ Church of England Chapel… That would be great !!!
Photograph courtesy of Mal Holmes.