Adrian Lance Sumption
4th May 1944 - 22nd November 2020
Clandon Wood Nature Reserve & Natural Burial Ground
Midday Friday 18th December 2020
This shall be for a bond between us
That we are of one blood you and I
That we cry peace to all
And claim kinship with every living thing
That we hate war, sloth and greed
And love fellowship
And that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world
Woodcraft Folk Envoi
Entrance Music
Songs that Adrian sang and loved
Welcome
John Walton
Memories
Jenny Denchfield
Eulogy
Karin Sumption
Memories
Keir Lusby
PoemLib Walton
To Arthur, What is Love by Jes LusbyHow can one know love until one knows
separation from the beloved.Love is enfolding and unfolding.The heart knows love and is love
It gives and takes infinitely, in the momentand without thought.
It sends out nourishment and receives what it is given
To refresh and return it.It is impulsive and in the moment.
It has no preferences.All organs are fed.
Even the diseased are given their needs.Move from this great organ of love.
I say move and it is still.Move in stillness
MusicStrolling Down the Highway by Bert Jansch
PoemDan Sumption
Little Deaths by Phoebe L. CorbettI wake to the limbsOf a silver birch,
StretchingFrom the roots of our house.
Through the net, leavesLoom, twisting with breeze, stillBound by October’s false hope
And fragile lightFor a few more days.
As I blink, opening,Rising from the ends of some
Dream that led me to briefly forget,I am reminded that in all
I have searched, there will beDeath, changing autumn leaves -
Burnt amber and peachBefore ash,
Before winter burialIn cold soil.
Within weeks,The mound of grave
Will be covered with little deaths,Or we could say, tree deaths.
Of course, the leaves don’t know -There’s always renewal.
PoemHannah Moorhouse
Instructions by Arnold CromptonWhen I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,Gather in some pleasant place and there remember me,
With spoken words, old and new.
Let a tear fall if you will,But let a smile come quickly,
For I have loved the laughter of life.
Do not linger too long with your solemnities,Go eat, and drink and talk, and when you can,
Follow a woodland trail, climb a high mountain.
Sleep beneath the stars, swim in a cold river,Chew the thoughts of some book that challenges your soul.
Use your hands some bright dayTo make a thing of beauty
Or to lift someone’s heavy load.
Though you mention not my name,Though no thought of me crosses your mind,
I shall be with you,For these have been the realities of life to me.
And when you face some crisis with anguish,When you walk alone with courage,
When you choose the right path,When you give yourself in love,
I shall be very close to you.
I have followed the valleys,I have climbed the heights of life.
Music
Never be the Sun by Dolores Keane
Silent Reflection
A few moments to reflect on Adrian’s life
Tribute
From members of Teddington Woodcraft Folk
Tribute
Nick Mawby
Video
Only Remembered performed by ManSong, featuring Adrian
At the Graveside
Committal
Scattering of flowers and leaves
Celtic Blessing
Lib Walton
Song
Ramblin’ Boy - Sung by Everyone
He was a man and a friend always.He stuck with me in the hard old days.
He never cared if I had no dough,We rambled round in the rain and snow.
Chorus:And here’s to you my Rambling Boy,May all your ramblings bring you joy.And here’s to you my Rambling Boy,May all your ramblings bring you joy.
In Tulsa town we chanced to stray,We thought we’d try to work one day.The boss said he had room for one,Says my old pal we’d rather bum.
Chorus
Late one night in a jungle camp,The weather it was cold and damp.
He got the chills and he got them bad.They took the only friend I had.
Chorus
He left me here to ramble on,My rambling friend is dead and gone.
If when we die we go somewhere,I’ll bet you a dollar he’s rambling there.
Chorus
Song
You’ll Never Walk Alone - Sung by Everyone
When you walk through a stormHold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a stormThere’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the windWalk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk onWith hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Walk on, walk onWith hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Poems
Read by Adrian’s Grandchildren
Song
Link Your Hands Together - Sung by Everyone
(Please feel free to link hands in your family units)
Link your hands together,A circle we’ll make.
This bond of our friendship,No power can break.
Let’s all sing together,In one mighty throng.
Should any be weary,We’ll help them along.
Should any be weary, We’ll help them along.
Drinks and Mince Pies
Donations
We are fundraising in Adrian’s memory for Off The Record Twickenham,
a local youth charity offering support, advice and counselling services
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/adriansumption
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/adriansumption