Denis Claringbull, who died on 24 January, led the Churches Industrial Group Birmingham in the 1980s and 90’s when he was vicar of St Paul’s in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.  Then, more people worked in the Jewellery Quarter than lived there, although that position is now reversed.  Denis led a core team of chaplains which met regularly to plan and deliver CIGB’s work.  There was an annual service in the Cathedral, speakers with a national profile, a very successful employment and training agency set up when unemployment was high from the demise of much Midlands manufacturing.  It was later sold on to a company and still exists.  Subsequently the Group organised a local hearing for the churches national enquiry into Unemployment and the Future of Work.

No doubt being part of a strong team helped but Denis was a person of enthusiasm, commitment and a great encourager.  Among his contributions to IM was his book ‘Frontline Mission’ which sought to make the ministry more visible beyond IM.  He also co-founded the Birmingham Centre for Business Ethics [BCBE] which he had established in co-operation with Birmingham Rotary and Aston University.  BCBE brought together local business people to explore ethical issues from a business perspective.  Academics and others were involved but the key group were small and medium size businesses.  This was innovatory and BCBE flourished for many years.  It was perhaps typical of Denis’ enthusiastic and entrepreneurial approach.

He retired to Ross-on-Wye but for many years continued to attend BCBE events in Birmingham, to speak at events and seminars, and to act as a consultant to the Kidderminster Parish Church Team Ministry where he won the trust and affection of everyone through his passion and wisdom.  Typically, he recalled them to God in the world and reminded them that the Church (and they) were not an end in themselves.

Those who visited Denis and Andrew, his partner of 30 years, at home in Ross would have witnessed the amazing railway in the garden – the other great passion in Denis’s life.

Barbara Hayes, supplemented by colleagues from the West Midlands.

The funeral took place at 2.15pm on Wednesday 6th February at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Ross on Wye, HR9 5HN.

www.WORKCARE.org

It was good to see so many old friends and make new ones, the next one is in 2014 in a years time and will be at Swanwick Conference centre.  Could your team be the team that lead it.  Email the IMA moderator Capt. Christopher Chesters for more details about what this may entail.