02/06/2026
This week is Volunteers Week 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude and tinged with sadness. We want to honour two extraordinary volunteers who have passed away this year – Donald Hamilton and Winston Collier. Yesterday Winston's funeral took place, and so we wanted to dedicate this first post to him.
Winston dedicated decades to our Schools Team, sharing the magic of the Cathedral with thousands of schoolchildren. He was also co-creator of our beloved Blitz Museum – a project he created alongside his late son Andrew and Michael Coleman. Those who knew Winston spoke of his endless patience and his remarkable ability to see the best in everyone.
Winston, you have left an indelible mark on Coventry Cathedral and on all of us. Thank you for everything. You will be incredibly missed.
Watch an interview with Winston for the Royal British Legion in 2025 as part of a docu-drama for Primary School Children on his experience of the Blitz. (The video can be found under 'I’ll Remember Primary Docu-Drama’ at 10.30 minutes): https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/teaching-remembrance/ve-and-vj-day-teaching-resources?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=teaching_remembrance&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7umtKLZYx-6ixWLWDvVaxO51VQC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMfABhCWARIsADGXdy-ng-fbMryNOhLQep82okPZxgFaRY0vBNShG9DBW4NOFaa90rqmJp8aAhN0EALw_wcB
