Verger fulfilled life’s vocation

Tributes have been paid to a verger at Southwell Minster who died suddenly at his home this week.

Mr William Vigar (29) of Abbey Mews, Southwell, had been a verger at the minster since 2003.

His body was found on Monday by his parents, Mr and Mrs Richard Vigar, of Newark.

Mr William Vigar joined the minster after working as a volunteer at Lincoln Cathedral.

He was born in Lincoln and attended Lincoln Cathedral School and William Farr School, Welton.

Despite being trained as an accounting technician, he had a passion for cathedrals and a strong desire to help others.

The minster’s head verger, Mr Andrew Todd, said Mr Vigar fulfilled his vocation as a verger.

“He really felt that God was calling him to that role,” he said.

Mr Todd described Mr Vigar as a shy but wonderfully warm person who never had a bad word to say about anybody.

“He enjoyed being in such a wonderful building and effectively living here and caring for this place,” said Mr Todd.

“He was very interested in the history and, if you have that inclination, this is a wonderful place to work.

“He was always early for work and was not a clock watcher. He stayed until the job was finished.”

Mr Todd said the five vergers at the minster were a very close group.

“It is like losing a brother,” he said. “I was just shocked when I found out.”

He said Mr Vigar, who was a diabetic, had been suffering from a sickness bug and had been off work the week before his death.

He was one of the last people to speak to Mr Vigar when he phoned him on Saturday afternoon to check how he was.

As well as his parents, Mr Vigar leaves a sister and a brother.

A funeral service will be held at Southwell Minster, although a date has not been arranged.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev John Guille, said: “The minster community is deeply saddened and very shocked at William’s sudden death.

“He will be greatly missed because he was very much a part of the family here, always so willing and helpful and a man of deep faith and commitment.

“Prayers will continue to be offered for the family in the days to come.”