FROM time to time someone dies who is very special to all our parishes.

On Mother’s Day this year, we all lost someone who was a very special person indeed.

Anne Archer slipped peacefully away into God’s presence, after almost a lifetime of continuous services for others.

When I say that this extraordinary woman played the organ, if not every type of instrument, in the areas of Sand Hutton, Dunnington, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Whitwell-on-the-Hill and Heworth (York), I do not exaggerate one bit.

She was church warden at Buttercrambe church for many years, and there were very few areas where she could not be seen assisting priest, reader and local preacher, poised ready to play at funerals etc and often for the installation of new priests in our area’s churches and chapels.

Of course she did not leave it there, and played piano at the Beaumont nursing home for services, concerts and sing-a-longs.

Her superb arrangements of coach trips as far away as Holy Island, the Dales and to local hostelries were enjoyed by so many, and her culinary skills were legend.

She often catered for whole harvest festival celebrations, and to my surprise I learned that when she was ever ready to sell scones, fruit loaves, fairy cakes plus many more, from her various cake stalls for church and charity, she had made them all.

She was once president of the York Diocese Mothers Union Society, and led the senior citizens group at Stockton-on-the-Forest for many years.

Sleep well dearest Anne, you have fully earned that rest.

Bryan Lawson,

Burton Fields Road,

Stamford Bridge