Philip Ramsey Mason was born in Newport on 9th April 1923 and died on 7th November 2008 at the age of 85. It was not until the day of his funeral that I learned what his middle name is, and that he was named after the first Labour Party Leader to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Phil’s family had been associated with the Cathedral for some time, and other family members were also ringers. He learned to ring at St Woolos in 1938, aged 15, and this was the start of a period of service to the tower which was to last for over 60 years. When I first met him in 1967 he was the Tower Warden, but I don’t think he was comfortable in that role, and soon gave way to a much younger person, who in turn handed that task to me. Whilst I was Tower Warden, Phil was always a helpful supporter and advisor, especially when I was relatively new to the area. On looking into the records I find that he rang four peals, which is a modest total. He rang many quarter peals, and very much enjoyed our tower outings by coach, and frequently made himself available to ring for weddings. For many years he had a job in which he worked regular night shifts.

After army service in the war, Phil worked firstly for the Co-op, then later the Great Western Railway, and subsequently British Rail. He joined the NUR and became an assistant to a person whose task it was to visit sick or injured colleagues on behalf of the Union. This became the basis of Phil’s service to his fellow man. Sick visiting became a large part of his life, to which he added the provision of transport to hospital appointments. Many members of the St Woolos congregation had cause to be grateful for his help in this respect. He was always reticent about his own activities, although not shy as such, as he enjoyed conversation and discussion. Over a period of time, by means of little hints in his conversation, it was possible to piece together his weekly routine of shopping and pension collection for his elderly neighbours, and to understand how much he was doing for others.

Unfortunately his health became poor, and he was unable to climb the stairs of the tower for the last few years of his life. His cheerful and supportive presence was missed when he became unable to join us for regular Sunday morning ringing.

Phil was a man in whom his socialist views and Christian behaviour were not in conflict. Whilst we mourn his passing, we should be thankful for a life devoted to the service of the church and his fellow man.

P.S.B.