Testimony
Testimony to the life of Jack Trickett (1908-2006)
Jack was born on 14th June, 1908 in Newchurch in Rossendale, where he attended school until the age of fourteen after being a half-timer combining work and school from the age of twelve at a local slipper works. His first employment was working for a cabinet maker where Jack was an apprentice for seven years and finally receiving his certificate as a master cabinet maker at the age of 21. Unfortunately two weeks later the company finished and Jack decided to venture out in his own cabinet-making business eventually employing two regular staff making anything from dog-kennels to coffins. Also during this period he spent several years teaching evening classes at Waterfoot and this I believe is where he first met his wife Edna.
At the outbreak of the war Jack, true to his convictions became a conscientious objector after serving a period of 2 months in Strangeways, Manchester when he refused to work in a munitions factory. He then went to work on the land digging ditches working with fellow pacifists and conscientious objectors. This particular time evoked many memories for Jack and reinforced his convictions against the cruelty of war and that he wasn't prepared to make bombs to kill people. One of Jack's recent statements on a Radio Lancashire interview once again showed his views by saying:
"I believed in making things which people could enjoy. I made countless items which I gave away just for the pleasure of it. The reason for living should be happiness, not destruction, not war, not death."
Jack and Edna were married in 1939 and when Jack left to train as a teacher at colleges in Staffordshire and London, it was with Edna's support and encouragement that he was able to fulfil his wish to be a teacher. After training Jack was appointed to teach at Lea Bank where he taught for eleven years and then finally to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School where he retired at the age of sixty-five for a short-time, as he was asked to go back part-time and he continued to the age of 70 years.
Jack's devotion to his family- Edna, Elizabeth, Barry,his grandchildren Rebecca and Christopher was combined with his charitable work for Save the Children and the Talking Newspaper. He and Edna loved to travel abroad and also to visit their caravan at Arnside. Much of their travelling was done by bus and walking.
He was devoted to the Quaker Meeting at Crawshawbooth where he attended for over sixty years and every Sunday he would walk over the hills from his home, which he and Edna had built, to the Meeting House. He always used to say that the walk put him in the right frame of mind and he was a familiar sight as people were used to seeing him pass at the same time every week. Edna would say that if any repairs were needed to be done at home it was usually after the jobs to be done at the Meeting House. The Meeting House and the Religious Society of Friends were an important part of Jack's life. Cont.......
At this point I would like to give thanks for the grace of God on behalf
of Crawshawbooth Friends for the life and friendship of Jack. Jack was
greatly loved by all Friends who met him. His welcoming smile and handshake
was always there on entering the Meeting House and he made everyone feel
at home. He carried a calm and peaceful expression which was always comforting
in Meetings for Worship. On occasions for advice, Jack always spoke with
simplicity, wisdom and humour. He was a good man, living his faith through
his life and peace was a principle dear to his heart. The peace of the
Meeting was important to him and the care of Friends and he strove to
keep the Meeting in the light of peace and harmony. He worked tirelessly
in maintaining the building and over the years on occasion would be the
only person in attendance to worship alone.
Jack's character created a marvellous impression on whoever he met and indeed he was certainly a tremendous ambassador for the Quaker movement, outreach at its best under God's guidance. Jack's presence I feel sure will be felt in the Meeting House for many years to come - a lasting impression for all - his devotion in the light of God he gave to Crawshawbooth Meeting.
Thank you Jack.
(Testimony given by Philip Whitehead during the funeral meeting at Burnley crematorium, Thursday, 12 January 2006)
