*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Churchwarden’s finest hour

02 November 2012

WWW.WINSTAN.CO.UK

Never surrender: Stan Streather,
a London churchwarden, poses as Sir Winston Churchill

Never surrender: Stan Streather,
a London churchwarden, poses as Sir Winston Churchill

THE Rector of St Dunstan's, Cranford, in west London, the Revd Michael Gill, had a surprise visitor in his congregation last month - Sir Winston Churchill.

But the figure sitting in a rear pew, in a three-piece suit and Homburg, was the churchwarden, Stan Streather, who had come direct to evensong from a performance in his new career as the tribute act Winstan Churchill.

Mr Streather, who is in management consultancy, said: "He was in hysterics, because every time he looked up, he had trouble controlling his laughter."

He has been a regular worshipper at St Dunstan's since 1987. "I was introduced to the church through my wife, Lyn. . . I have been churchwarden twice: from 1996, for ten years, and now since 2009."

He became interested in Churchill last year, when he joined the amateur singers of West London Opera. "I found out that the cast were calling me Churchill because they didn't know who I was," he said. "I bought myself a hat for £40 on eBay, and got out some suits."

He wore the costume for a 1940s-theme party on the Mid-Hants Heritage Railway, where he is a volunteer signalman. "People said I was good at it; so I thought I would have a go. I am learning all the time."

For details, visit winstan.co.uk

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)