John Kennedy Greg
Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 10 April 2008
The Rev John Kennedy Greg was a pedal power parson, especially during his time as vicar of Lanercost with Kirkcambeck.
His poor eyesight meant he could not drive a car and so he and his sister, Mary, perfected an efficient scheme that enabled him to do the rounds in his widespread parish.
They put his bicycle in the boot of her car, she drove him to pre-determined points on the parish boundaries and he would then ride back home, calling on parishioners on the way.
It all worked out very well for the quiet and unassuming clergyman who had a truly pastoral side to his character.
He had been troubled by his eyesight for most of his life. During World War Two he tried to join the army – the Royal Tank Corps – but a medical examination revealed he was suffering from a congenital eye condition.
Wanting to do his bit for king and country he then tried to join the Red Cross and, later, the Friends’ Ambulance Brigade. Once again, his poor eyesight meant that he was turned down.
It was then that his uncle, Canon Sam Taylor, urged him to think about a career and he became a student at Trinity College, Cambridge University, where he read modern history and gained a degree in 1946.
It was while he was at university that he felt called to the Anglican ministry himself and he went on to study at the Chichester Theological College.
He was ordained deacon in 1949 and priest a year later.
He was ordained in Manchester Cathedral and his first curacy was at Walmsley, Bolton, before he moved to serve at Holy Trinity, Carlisle.
Then, in 1955, he became vicar of Lanercost and Kirkcambeck and rode his bicycle for many a country mile, before becoming vicar of Cumwhitton from 1962 to 1975, which suited him well, because he was a countryman who enjoyed village life.
However, his next move took him into the town, when he became team vicar at St Barnabas, Carlisle, in 1975, with special responsibility for the Sandsfield area –where he still rode his bike.
In 1980 he became team vicar at Holy Trinity and St Barnabas, as well as being chaplain to the Strathclyde House hospital and he continued to serve in both capacities until 1985, when his deteriorating eyesight forced him to take early retirement.
He then spent the next 23 years living happily on Wigton Road, close to a bus stop, reading with the aid of a magnifying glass and spending some holidays in Italy.
He had been present at both the last service in the old Holy Trinity Church and at the consecration of the new building.
In retirement he worshipped at Carlisle Cathedral.
Although he spent much of his life in Cumbria, Mr Greg was born outside the county, at Caton, near Lancaster, the youngest of four children, on Valentine’s Day in 1924.
In the 19th century his family had owned a cotton mill at Styal, in Cheshire and he spent his childhood at Haberthwaite, in South Lakeland.
He was educated at the Seascale Preparatory School and then at the Uppingham School, in Rutland, before his vain attempt to join the wartime army.
Aged 84 when he died, he leaves two sisters, aged 88 and 90.
His funeral service took place in Holy Trinity Church and was followed by cremation, with George Hudson and Sons, Carlisle, making the arrangements.
