Llewellyn Roberts (1958-1968)
Llewellyn Edwin Lloyd Roberts (1889-1984) arrived with his wife Irene to become the sixth Vicar of Christ Church in 1958.
The new vicar was 69 when he came to New Malden and Coombe in 1958. This made him thirteen years older than his predecessor, Claude Bartle, and older than any Vicar of Christ Church has been on leaving the church. (At that stage, there was no compulsory retirement age for clergy within the Church of England.) Announcing his appointment, Churchwardens David Burton and Reg Ellis said they had ‘found a man who matched all our requirements apart from the one of age, and having met him, they didn’t think that would matter’.
Anecdotes of Llewellyn Roberts’ comments and activities at Christ Church, New Malden have been remembered and retold over many years. Many of these centre upon his speech impediment and frequent mispronunciations. None of this, however, stopped him being an immensely powerful and moving preacher.
Llewellyn Roberts was also known for being very strict, underpinned by a strong belief in the Vicar’s authority. He would make it clear when he disapproved of something and could be quite severe. Crucial to the effectiveness of his ministry, however, was the equally strong degree of pastoral commitment that he displayed towards those entrusted to his care, and was only too ready to make emergency visits to members of the parish during the middle of the night. He also believed in having fun, joining in the annual parties in the Parish Halls.
Llewellyn Roberts was by many, with a great deal of affection, as ‘Uncle Llew’. This nickname caught on because it summed up the congregations’ acceptance of the firm and loving leadership exerted by their elderly but energetic Vicar. Irene Roberts displayed a similar pastoral commitment and would stand outside Christ Church after Sunday services every week so that she was available to talk to anyone whom she could help. She also led Women’s Own during this period.
The Resignation of Llewellyn Roberts
In 1968 and after ten years as Vicar, Llewellyn Roberts finally retired at the age of 79. The photo below shows the Roberts at a final Women’s Own Garden Party in that year.
Llewellyn and Irene Roberts initially moved to Reigate. Here ‘Uncle Llew’ continued an active ministry at St Mary’s Church. In 1975, they moved to Woking in Guildford Diocese in 1975 where ‘Uncle Llew’ had a similar ministry.
In September 1978 a Service of Thanksgiving was held at Christ Church to mark sixty years since the ordination of Llewellyn Roberts in 1918. ‘Uncle Llew’ himself preached with great vigour on ‘The Grace of God’.
In 1978, the Roberts moved to Boscombe near Bournemouth. Llewellyn Roberts died there on 24th January 1984 at the age of 94. A memorial service was held in April 1984 at Christ Church with the Bishop of Thetford, Timothy Dudley-Smith, preaching. An obituary written by Bill Taylor mentioned that Uncle Llew’s last recorded act was to apologise for missing a Finance Committee meeting of CPAS with the words: ‘I don’t want you to think I am slacking’. Irene Roberts lived on in Boscombe until 15th November 1991 when she died at the age of 91.
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Claude Bartle | Building CCNM 1958-68 | Peter Coombs |  |
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