The Service
The funeral service took place at St Nicholas Church on Friday 9th September 2022 at 11am followed by the commital at Alne Wood Park Natural Burial Ground, Spernal Lane, Alcester B49 6JG next to his loving wife Diane.
Live Stream
For those who were unable to attend the church service in person a live stream was recorded and put on Youtube which can be seen by clicking on the following link https://youtu.be/QtrNzzLQvxI.
The Church Service started before 11am and featured live recordings of Diane and Paul Gray singing across the last 30 years. Two hymns were sung, to be a Pilgrim and Guide me o thou Great Redeemer, and the specially composed song For a better day. The service finished with a version for organ specially arranged by Malcolm Procter of Europe's anthem Ode to Joy taken from Beethoven's 9th symphony. The service finished early due to the extraordinary circumstances of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd passing away the day before the funeral. As such the church bells were scheduled to ring at midday on the day of Dad's funeral which was to be repeated country wide. Paul exited the church just before midday to muffled bells with his coffin draped with the UN and European flags both of which he had requested in the event of his passing.
Visiting
If you were unable to attend the Service but might be planning a trip that brings you close to this area, please take the time to come and visit Paul and Diane's town and resting place to appreciate the beautiful and peaceful countryside.
Alne Wood Park is a hilltop natural meadow burial site surrounded by ancient oak woodland. With the planting of new trees dedicated to each loved one, this area will in years to come join and form part of the ancient Alne Wood. Carpeted in wildflowers and grasses in the summer this magical place plays host to all manner of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to dancing Swifts. Come the autumn and winter with its hoary frost and hedgerow burdened with wild rose hips and sloes, deer venture out of the shadows of the wood to graze while Kites and Buzzard's spiral upwards on thermals. From the top of the hill where Paul has been laid to rest next to Diane, there are magnificent views across the Warwickshire countryside. This is unsurprisingly the gentle Shire which inspired Tolkiens' Hobbits and the setting for many a Shakespearean play.
🌼 A Little Bit About Paul & Diane's Town Alcester...
Alcester is just 7 miles southwest of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare and lies between the popular family estates of Ragley Hall and Coughton Court (Guy Fawkes).
The centre of the Town is dominated by a vibrant High Street with a number of Paul and Diane's favourite curio, charity and artisan shops still trading from a glorious array of historical buildings dating back to Tudor times. Formerly a rest stop for travellers by Coach & Horse, the town still retains a healthy population of Free Public Houses and Eateries offering a wide range of cuisine and beverages including a number of artisan Cafés with pretty gardens within walking distance in the Town. Take a stroll down Malt Mill Lane to the river, or explore the variety of quaint Tuéries (passageways) that run between some houses. For a quiet time of contemplation, there is a sensory garden with seating at the back of St Nicholas Church.
Alcester is easily accessible from the M40, and M5 and only 3/4hr from Birmingham, 1.25hr from Oxford, 1.25hr from Bristol and 2.5hrs from London.