TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated Bromsgrove community champion who has died.
Shan Moule, who was the churchwarden at St John’s Church, was described by Adrienne Hall, Rev Janet Hatton and Sue Norton (known, along with Shan as the ‘Fab Four’) on behalf of the family as ‘an extraordinary, unique person’.
“She had a strong Christian Faith, proven by her friendly, welcoming, big-hearted, encouraging, optimistic, calm and diplomatic ways.”
Shan was known by so many people in Bromsgrove through her connections with St John’s Church, St Andrew’s Charford, Friends of the Hospital and Millfields School.
Shan attended St John’s Church most of her life following in the footsteps of her parents. She became involved in the Sunday School during the 80s and 90s.
She was elected Churchwarden in the 2000s – a post she held for 20 years.
She served under three vicars, keeping everything going during two interregnums and overseeing the first successful Landmark Appeal.
Shan set up, ‘Fundraisers R Us’ to raise money for the church.
The most notable events being the St John’s Stall at the Elizabethan Market every June. She rallied many to take part.
Shan thought up a theme each year which included getting people of the church to dress up as Elizabethan royalty of the time.
Over the years, there was a variety of themes, including pirates, nail-makers and most notably monks.
Then there was the Christmas Market in the High Street when helpers had to dress up as Magi / wise men.
She organised medieval banquets for the Bailiff and Court Leet in the church hall, along with Swinging 1960s and 70s nights, Burns and Passover Suppers and more – they were all Shan’s ideas.
Shan was renowned for making the most beautiful Easter gardens each year, inside the church which led to people journeying from far and wide to view them.
In ‘The Fab Four’ she ventured for ‘Hooleys,’ as she called them to Cornwall, Bath, Dorset, Blackpool and the Mint Lounge in Bromsgrove.
The best was Liverpool, hence the ‘Fab Four’ title – she sang with gusto, ‘Ferry Across the Mersey’, as she sailed across from Wallasey to Liverpool.
She coined a motto formed from an announcement made on the train going up to Liverpool: ‘See it, say it, sort it. Saw it, said it, sorted it, loved it.’
Shan was at her most contented when she was near the sea. No matter the weather or time of year she would go, at the very least to paddle – Wales and anything Celtic were her loves.
She had an infectious laugh and, no matter what difficulty arose, would always say: ‘It will be alright’.
She was known as the big bead lady for wherever she went she was adorned with big beads.
She struggled with debilitating Parkinsons Disease over the last three years and spent the last year in the care of Chandlers Court, passing away at the beginning of November.
“Shan was a joy to be with, keen to bring people together. She was the life and soul of any gathering and will be sorely missed.”
Shan’s funeral takes place at St John’s Church at 12pm next Wednesday, December 10, with the committal at Redditch Crematorium at 1.15pm.
