We have just learnt of the death last Thursday (6th August 2026) of Rev Deacon John Lamb, father of Nick, pictured together here at Festival50 in 2015.
John was a long-time member of our pilgrimage family, certainly involved from 1986 when he was pictured leaving a church with the late Brenda Dillon.
By 1988 he was fully into the spirit of our pilgrimage!
1990 at the Lamb Inn at Pagham
John became pilgrimage coordinator for 2001 and 2002, and had to make the tough decision to postpone the 2001 pilgrimage by a year because of Foot and Mouth Disease. His one pilgrimage “in charge” was Lichfield to Lastingham in 2002, where he was a friend to pilgrims of all ages.
John could not commit to another year as coordinator because he was about to be ordained a Permanent Deacon, in which role he attended Fr David Russel’s Silver Jubilee.
Backmarking over Shutlingsloe in 2006
New style raingear in 2007
With Jack in 2008
Leading setting-off prayers
Near Aberporth, 2010
Leaving London in 2011 with Bill Haynes and Nick
John, you’ll be missed. We send our condolences to Nick and all John’s family.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
We’ll update this page with funeral details when known (if you’ve received it by email you’ll have to go to the website to see the updated version).
Going through the photos for this tribute (and there are a lot with John in them) made me realise how involved John was with all aspects of the pilgrimage. He was often the groups with other pilgrims, leading prayers, sweeping floors or loading the van; quietly and without fuss.
So sorry to read about this.
That’s a Lovely tribute to a lovely man.
Two pics with me bring back memories!
John was always educating me on flora and fauna (especially butterflies I recall), as we walked.
RIP.
Condolences to Nick and the family.
Thanks for the rapidity of this notification. I was about to provide notice personally but the Guildford parish newsletter went out last night with the news, which has clearly been picked up by other members of the pilgrim family. Dad had been living with Dementia for a couple of years but had then had 4 falls within a couple of weeks and was taken to the Royal Surrey hospital after the last of these on Tuesday 28 July. It turned out that he must have also had a stroke of some sort and had 2 different infections. The hospital were unable to get these under control and he passed away peacefully. Mum happened to be present along with her youngest grand-daughter. There are lengthy delays with registering deaths at the moment so funeral arrangements have to wait but will almost certainly be at St. Mary’s, Rydes Hill. Love to all – Nick
Thanks for the expanded details Nick, and our love and prayers for all the family. Fr Joe Kengah says he will celebrate Mass for him tomorrow. Sounds like a rather traumatic couple of weeks, so I’m glad the end was peaceful. Aidan
We are sorry to hear this news, John was a pilgrimage stalwart and a great support to me when I was co ordinator. As others have said he did so many tasks for the pilgrims and always had a smile on his face even after long days 9f walking. May he rest in peace and love and prayers to his wife, son Nick and all his family xxx Lesley and John Brennan