Reverend would help all in need

Tributes were today paid to a former Methodist minister, who charmed congregations across Wolverhampton with his "natural sense of humour" and "easy rapport".

Reverend Roland Bamford, former minister of Fallings Park and Wednesfield Methodist Churches, died at the age of 77. He also served as chaplain at Wolverhampton's New Cross and Royal Hospitals.

Mr Bamford's widow Glennys, also a minister, today said: "Many, many people have said how much help he was, not only to church members but to anybody he saw who needed it."

Originally from Oldham, Mr Bamford studied Hebrew at the University of Manchester and trained at the city's Hartley Victoria Methodist College.

With his wife, he moved to Wolverhampton in 1984, staying until 1991, when he moved to Luton.

In 1997, he retired back to Penn Fields, in Wolverhampton, where he remained an active church member, looking after Stretton Street Methodist Church for a short time and helping out at Beckminster Methodist Church.

Mrs Bamford, aged 73, said: "He had a very natural Lancastrian sense of humour. That humour and his instant rapport with people were the essence of his ministry."

Mr Bamford also leaves two daughters, Ruth and Rachel, and two grandchildren Daniel and Eliza.

He passed away at Himley Mill Nursing Home, in Dudley, after suffering from dementia.

A private cremation will be held on Thursday, followed by a public service of thanksgiving at Beckminster Methodist Church, in Birches Barn Road, in Bradmore, at 2pm.

By Catherine Dalton