Tribute to Rev. Duncan Rhodes
Reverend Duncan Rhodes 1935-2019 was proud to have been born and bred in Diggle.
One of his earliest recollections was when he was 4 years old, of the Whit Friday walk from Kiln Green over the hill to St Chad’s, but his first Whit Fridays he would have been in the procession in a pram.
His commitment and loyalty to the Diggle and particularly the Kilngreen processions are well known, he was for many years to be seen leading the procession and the singing at the hymn stops where he also conducted the band.
Following his ordination as a local ordained minister in 1993 he led his flock from KilnGreen to Uppermill for the United Churches Service on the King George’s V playing fields in Uppermill. Here he conducted the band and lead the massed hymn singing there.
In 2016 he addressed the assembled congregation on the field as part of the service.
Duncan’s enthusiasm and energy for preserving the tradition of the Whit walks extended to and included the whole of Saddleworth. In addition to his considerable contribution in Diggle he was also a long time member of the Uppermill Brass Band Contest Committee, long before the Diggle contest was started. For over four decades he was actively involved each Whit Friday night announcing the bands on the contest platform in Uppermill. Indeed he will long be remembered there and sadly missed. He was the voice and face of the event, able to give some background information and fill in the time with local stories when there was a lull in the flow of bands.
Any suggestion that threatened to shorten or simplify the day he would resist, and actively campaign against. When it was debated in the 1970’s, whether to stop walking on Whit Friday and walk on Whit Sunday instead Duncan was instrumental in the resistance to these proposals, being vehemently protective of the tradition. The special and inclusive community aspect of the day was very precious to him.
Whit Friday was his most eagerly anticipated day of the year. He worked hard in preparation for it, both raising funds and organising people to do their parts in it and when it finally arrived he enjoyed it to the full. His day was long, beginning at Kilngreen early in the morning before 9am for Hail Smiling Morn before the [procession and service, pausing for meat and potato pie at lunch time and finishing as late as midnight at the end of the Uppermill contest.
His enthusiasm and energy were unflagging year after year.
He said, “The traditions are as firm as ever now and, in my view, it’s gratifying the community aspect of the whole day is still maintained.
“It’s wonderful so many villagers are happy and eager to walk with the church procession.”
This year will be different but I’m know that he will be with us in spirit.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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