Chris Winn.
22nd November 1939 – 14th January 2011.
Every now and then in life, we are lucky enough to find ourselves in the company of a knowledgeable enthusiast. In some cases, such is the enthusiasmthat the significance of the actual subject in hand becomes almost secondaryto the enthusiasm itself, the sense of energy and the glint in the eyethat engages you, picks you up and carries you off.You are left feeling“I hadn’t realised I was interested in that”. Chris was such a man.
His contribution to life in our village cannot be measured on any conventional scaleyet it was marked,vivid and so appreciated. It was a contribution that enriched us allnot simply because his knowledge encompassed such an extraordinary range of interestsbut very especially because of the generous, kind and gentle spirit in which those interests were shared.
He had a great love of collecting.On special village events there would inevitably be a table somewherewith Chris sitting behind a themed collection of artefacts, weird and wonderful,all drawn from his huge collection.The invitation was“so what do you think this might be”?
He would watch in his kindly way and tease out suggestionsbefore drawing on his encyclopaedic knowledge and explaining its actual purpose and why it was as it was. His explanation was of course in itself revealing and intriguing but it was his intense appreciation of its story,its purpose and effectiveness,the material from which it was made and the craftsmanship with which it was made that left its mark on us all.
Chris was a man who valued traditionnot in a sentimental waybut because he recognised it as part of the thread that linked the passinggenerations. What better than to acknowledge and celebrate traditionas he did and in so doing add to the texture and richness of village life.
It was Chris who arranged for our flag pole to be re-furbished and ensured that every Flag Day was honoured.On hearing of the introduction of Sussex Day,it was Chris who researched and procured The West Sussex Flag for the village.
How many villages can boast their own town crier?On those events that merited a formal introduction Chris would be seen striding to the fore, properly attired and armed with his bell before filling his lungs to announce the occasion.None of us will forget his admirable portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill on those village commemorative parties. It really did add to the sense of occasion.He looked the part.He sounded the part and he fulfilled the part and we all cheered and loved it.
Every village would want and should have a Chris.For 8,all too short years Slindon has been the village to enjoy that privilege.