In Conversation with… David Britton

Where were you born?

Barton House, Yarm Road , Stockton .

When you think back on the Second World War what memories come flooding back?

Standing on the back steps of my Grandma's house in Bristol seeing the city centre aflame after a bombing. I would be about ten at the time.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in your life?

From 1950 having a computer filling a large room to now when you can have a laptop computer which in fact would probably be 1000 times more powerful.

What memories do you have of your schooldays?

I started off at Newtown Infants then progressed to Holy Trinity which is now knocked down. It used to be in Yarm Lane near Trinity Church which is in ruins. I then went to Monckton Combe, south of Bath , where I boarded at an Evangelical Anglican school.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Caring for other people (whether I do it is for others to say).

Have you always lived in this area?

Yes.

What would you bury in a time capsule?

An up-to-date translation of the Bible – The Contemporary English Version, a CD of Sankey's hymns, a CD of Handel's organ concertos, a photo of the Transporter Bridge, a punch card (originally used in computers) and a single-sided razor blade.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given and by whom?

It was given by Harold White while I was a lay preacher – “stand up, speak up and shut up”. So many preachers go on for another twenty minutes or so and have actually said all that they needed to say before that.

What job did you do after you left school and where did it lead to up to your retirement?

I went and did my National Service for 2 years. Then I joined ICI for 31 years. After my golden handshake I took a course in Business Management. Then I set up on my own in Computer Consultancy. While I was at ICI I was coding clerk, programmer, chief programmer, installation manager then finally Data Communications Manager.

When did you become a Christian and how did it change your life?

I was 13 years old. I had been brought up in a reasonably strict Brethren family. It actually confirmed what already existed and what I had been taught. The question I would put would be - “What's different now that you are a Christian?” Do you show the fruit of the Spirit? Remembering that the fruit should be for the benefit of the church. There is too much emphasis today on the gifts of the Spirit.

Name a person who has had a great influence in your Christian walk.

Eddie Bridge , the youth leader at Hebron Hall. He was Don Bridge 's father.

Apart from the Bible do you have a special type of book/author you like to read?

No. I read very widely. I read words on paper whether it is fact or fiction except science fiction. I belong to the Reader's Digest Softback Club.

Who would be your ideal dinner guest and for what reason?

Cliff Richard. I've met him a few times and also interviewed him for radio. Christians in the entertainment world have an opportunity to share their Christian faith and he does it well.

What piece of advice would you give to young people today?

To learn the Scriptures, not only single memory verses, but larger chunks. If you put them into your mind in the first place the Holy Spirit will bring them back to your remembrance in times of need. During the war while at Hebron Hall we always started every service with “God is still on the throne”. It is a good reminder.

What treasures have you learned from the Lord during these past few years of your illness?

That every day is a gift from God or that every ‘today' is a gift from God, He might not choose to give me tomorrow. Trust in God.

In what different spheres have you served the Lord?

Sunday School teacher/deputy SS Superintendent/religious broadcasting on Stockton 's first commercial radio station (Radio Tees). While I was at a computer conference in London I met a man from the British and Foreign Bible Society. Subsequently I became a member of the General Committee which comprised of 36 lay people (I brought my computer experience and also brought my broadcasting knowledge). After 22 years I became Chairman of the Executive for the whole of the British and Foreign Bible Society for 3 years. It was amazing to see when one door closed another was opened by God. I have also been a deacon, assistant treasurer and sound engineer while I was a member at the Tab.

Is there anything about yourself you would like to tell us which we haven't already covered?

I hold on to this verse: -
God holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad.

Interviewed by Irene Lawson, Spring 2003