Remembering Rev Leslie Jell

On 12th November, it was with sadness that we said farewell to one of our faithful members, now promoted to glory, the Rev Leslie Jell, or Les, as he was known to many of us.

Les was closely associated with the setting up of Whaddon Way Church in West Bletchley, which was founded by Spurgeon’s and St Andrew’s Baptist Church in the 1960’s.

Les was also the husband of the founder of Willen Hospice, Dorothy Jell, and tirelessly carried on her vision as their first Chairman. Spurgeon’s continues to support Willen Hospice today through our postage stamp donations, donations from ‘Donkey Express‘, and was one of our chosen charities as part of our Gift Month’s ‘Thank Offering’ in September 2021.

Without him, his tireless work and devotion, Willen Hospice simply wouldn’t be here today to care for the families of Milton Keynes.

Willen Hospice

A video by the Living Archive Project below details Les’ involvement in the early stages and management of the hospice. It also includes a short extract from the documentary ‘Willen Hospice: caring for Milton Keynes since 1981’, where Les talks about his early involvement with the Hospice.

During times of interregnum in the church (when we didn’t have a minister), or when the minister was away, Les would take part in our preaching rota, always leading our services with much vigour and enthusiasm, which didn’t change as he got older.

A thanksgiving service for Les was held at Water Eaton Church Centre on 30th November, with donations going towards Willen Hospice in his memory. Over £1,156.25 was raised.

Our prayers are with his family as they continue to adjust to life without Les, and we give thanks to God that he is now reunited with his maker.

Welcoming Diana, Princess of Wales to Willen Hospice

Reverend Leslie Jell was born on June 9th, 1933. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family on November 12th, 2022, aged 89.

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