Skip to main content

A tribute to the late Keith Bolton

Keith Bolton started studying to become a Local Preacher following the death of his parents, for whom he had cared and became fully accredited in 1991.

Keith was born with cerebral palsy and spent his formative years at Lister Lane Special School. He qualified as an accountant and that was how he spent most of his working life. He put his financial expertise to good use for the Methodist Church, acting as Financial Steward in the former Woodhouse Grove Circuit. He was also the disability adviser for the West Yorkshire District.

Helping those with disability was Keith’s passion. He was keen to promote good access for all to public buildings and to public transport and spent hours on various committees, advising people and putting his own experiences to good use. As well as having cerebral palsy, over the years Keith developed other debilitating illnesses, but he never let them get in his way and he would always make light of them.

He loved preaching and would lead worship on most Sundays, not just in the Bradford North Circuit, but in other circuits in West Yorkshire and some in the Leeds district. Also in churches of other denominations.

He led services as long as he was physically able to get out of his house, which latterly meant remaining seated throughout each service.

Ecumenism was another of Keith’s passions. He was a keen and faithful member of Churches Together and was on the committee of Churches Together in North Bradford from its infancy up until his death. He loved the social side of church life and he liked to sit by the entrance door at events to welcome everyone with a smile and a chat when they came in.

Keith’s Christian message was simple and sincere. He preached God’s Love is for all. He preached kindness and generosity between all humankind.

He was involved with the Spastics Society, which later became Scope, for over 40 years and loved to tell us tales of their social gatherings, especially the Christmas parties.

Keith died peacefully in Leeds General Infirmary on 6 September after a fall at home, in which he sustained 2 fractured vertebrae in his neck. After a happy lifetime of service, which wasn’t without its struggles during his 71years, he is now at peace with our Lord.

Heather A, Bolton Church

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Drop-in Centre is a Great Success - a good news story from Haworth Road Methodist Church

The new Drop-in Centre at Haworth Road Methodist Church is proving a great success.  Please come and join with us in free refreshments including home baking, home made jam, and book stall for your home reading.  We have friends coming regularly to join us and everyone is very welcome.  Come and bring a friend and share in good fellowship.  The church is near the bottom of Haworth Road in Heaton. The Drop-in Centre is every Friday 10.00 am to 11.30 am.

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...

Summer Coffee Evenings raise over £1,200

Wilsden Trinity Church We would like to say a big thank you to all who supported us for your help in making our Summer Coffee Evenings such a brilliant success. The evenings have proved to be very popular and have been really well attended, attracting people from Wilsden village as well as members of other churches in the circuit.  Together we have munched our way through a tonne of biscuits and home-made scones and consumed gallons of coffee and tea. We have baked and bric-a-bracked and book sorted and are all exhausted and half a stone heavier than we were in May but feel it has been well worth the effort. In addition to enjoying very pleasant social evenings, with God's help we have succeeded in raising over £1,200 - approximately £250 each for the five chosen charities: Yorkshire Air Ambulance , Parkinson Society , Alzheimer's Society , Multiple Sclerosis Society and Martin House Children's Hospice . We are already planning for next summer and look forward t...