Homage to a favourite son

Last month First Church and the wider Martinborough community lost a favourite son – Robert (Bob) Sedcole Bargh after a fine innings of 94 years.

The church and adjacent hall were both full to bursting – happy testimony to a large and vigorous family and to strong and enduring friendships.

Among other widespread accomplishments Bob had a great love of music and was a dab hand at the piano and organ. This affinity was put to use at First Church when he agreed to fill in for then pianist Barbara Evans who had just passed away. That was 10 years ago. 

Bob’s engagement came in the usual forthright way: “I’m happy to play your hymns but I’d like it noted that I’m an atheist.” Years of paying attention to Rev. Jim Veitch and arguing the toss with him or anyone else up to the task changed that. 

Intellectually Bob Bargh was not pushover. He had degrees in engineering and English, was naturally unwilling to take arguments at face value and loved a good solid debate. Neither was there always agreement on the choice of suitable hymns so that robust discussion and occasionally raised voices was the order of the day.

Given his enthusiasm for music there was little chance that Jim Veitch would allow a timid rendition of the funeral hymns. He exhorted the gathered throng to sing lustily, i.e. shout, and we did. Given the fragile state of many church buildings t’was lucky the rafters remained intact.

Being human, Bob had a couple of frailties. First the legendary sweet tooth. At one of his birthdays, celebrated at his home, someone brought the mandatory , richly-decorated cake. Large, and after ample consumption by guests a huge hunk was left over. When someone wondered where this remnant might be it was discovered in Bob’s pantry.

Likewise, with a waste-not want-not philosophy, any leftovers at Sunday morning teas suffered the same fate.

Bob could be direct – suffering fools gladly was not a forte. We heard that on an occasion when he had pulled over in his car and with windows fully misted, a concerned passerby rapped on the door to ascertain whether the incumbent was alive. Bob roared: “what the hell do you think you’re doing waking me up.”

Great, and good thanks to the musicians at his service – the Martinborough String Quartet, lovely items from Evan and Ryan Chen and, of course, to the guiding hand of Jim Veitch.

Thank you, Bob, for your compassion, understanding, gentle nature and for the contribution you have made to our lives.

Kirk Fair: rain clouds threatening the church fair on 23 November had the decency to go elsewhere. The renowned generosity of Martinborough’s inhabitants meant the day was a huge success and First Church coffers have been replenished. Thanks to all.

From First Church Family, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a safe and Happy New Year and an exciting 2025.

Upcoming Events:

December

Sunday 8 – Burnside Church, Pirinoa -2:00 p.m. service of carols and readings

Sunday 15 – First Church meet at 9:45 a.m. for tea or coffee, service starts at 10:15 a.m.

Sunday 22 – First Church meet as above

Wednesday 25 – Christmas Day – no service at First Church

Sunday 29 – First Church meet at 9:45 a.m. for tea or coffee, service starts at 10:15 a.m.

January 2025

Sunday 5, 12,19, 26 – First Church meet 9:45 a.m. for tea or coffee, service starts at 10:15 a.m.

Caption: The late Bob Bargh