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