Bombed during World War II, St George’s Garrison Church survives as an evocative ruin with recently conserved mosaics, and a modern canopy roof, for all to enjoy.

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James Furber Obituary

James Furber was a good friend to many of the trustees on the Woolwich Garrison Church Trust and a generous benefactor to the Church. It is with shock and sadness that we learned of his recent sudden death in South Africa. Both The Times and The Daily Telegraph have provided obituaries, emphasising his distinguished professional career as Senior Partner with Farrers and solicitor to the Duchy of Lancaster, as well as his lasting enthusiasm for golf.

I do not think that I ever met James without his wearing his Hawks Club tie, resulting from his Cambridge Blue as a golfer. Through his membership of St George's he donated a Golf Day for 2 as a prize at a fund-raising event for the Commonwealth & Gurkha Garden. Those who participated had a memorable day both on the Golf Course and in the Club House afterwards!

I never met James without enjoying his company enormously. He was always great fun to be with, and was generous both with his time and funds to the Garrison Church. The Church was, of course, just down the road from where he and Amanda lived and James dutifully turned up at various events over the years; St George's Day and Remembrance Day Services, open-air theatre productions and concerts. His affability and his manner was exactly the same whether he was talking to our Royal Patron The Duke of Gloucester or one of the ladies of the Caribbean Social Forum.

We will miss him greatly.

Tim, Chairman, Woolwich Garrison Church Trust

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St George's Garrison Church in Woolwich, with its modern canopy roof and stunning mosaics, is both an evocative ruin and a contemporary space. Designed by Thomas H Wyatt in an Italian-Romanesque style, the Church was built between 1862-63 to serve the Royal Artillery in Woolwich. Today it is run by a local group, the Woolwich Garrison Church Trust who are committed to making it available for all to visit and enjoy. Directly opposite the Barracks in Woolwich, South East London, come and enjoy its beauty and peaceful garden.

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