THE LAUGHING VICAR
From All Saints Eastgate, let’s cheer,
A vicar loved, a joy, a dear.
With shoulders broad and hair of gold,
Jesus vibes, just louder, bold
A laugh so booming, rich and wide,
It rolled through church and far outside.
Contagious, joyful, full of cheer,
The Laughing Vicar, loud and dear.
A Geordie lad, proper canny,
Broadest accent, warm and funny.
A “howay man” to start the day,
An “aye pet” never far away.
You always knew when he’d walked in,
Before the laugh, before the grin.
That voice alone could fill the place,
With warmth and welcome, heart and grace.
A pint of beer was never far,
Faith and friendship as they are.
If sainthood came with pub attendance,
He’d be fast-tracked in, no need for penance.
JPCC meetings, long and slow,
Yet still his patience seemed to grow.
A nod, a smile, a gentle sigh,
And somehow all got sorted, aye.
He built a boxing club with care,
Teaching strength and fairness there.
Punch with purpose, heart and trust,
Because loving people takes some grit and dust.
A horse in church, yes that was true,
A pet service no one outgrew.
If God was watching, as we know,
He laugh and say, “Well, that’s our Michael, so….”
He got involved, with joy and flair,
A scarecrow made in his own care.
Proof that church need not be stiff,
Faith’s allowed a laugh and lift.
He’s eaten his body weight in cake,
Frosting and crumbs in his wake.
If kindness ran on cups of tea,
Michael brewed eternity.
And through it all, his greatest art
Was always giving time and heart.
No one hurried, no one small,
He truly had the time for all.
Now he’s just going over the hill,
Still laughing, loving, present still.
To Deerbolt now, where hope is real,
With young offenders, strength and steel.
They’ll meet a man both firm and kind,
With golden hair and Geordie mind.
A laugh that lifts, a steady hand,
Exactly what their lives demand.
So raise a glass, a smile, a cheer,
He’s not far off, he’s still right here.
Once our vicar, and always so,
The Laughing Vicar, on he’ll go.
