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‘Hourglass’ – Canon Raymond Fox reflects on his life

Monday October 12th 2026

Dean Stephen Forde dons his Black Santa mantle to lunch the Rev Canon Raymond Fox’s latest book, ‘Hourglass’ at Belfast Cathedral.

The Rev Canon Raymond Fox has published a third book, with all proceeds going to this year’s 50^th anniversary Black Santa Appeal at Belfast Cathedral.

Hourglass contains 40 poems and an autobiography covering Raymond’s life over the past eight decades.

Black Santa himself, aka the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, helped Raymond launch the book on September 20, firstly in Belfast Cathedral and later that week in the Parish of St Philip and St James, Holywood.

Dressed as Black Santa, with the historic barrel to hand, Dean Forde told those at the launch in St Anne’s that it was a very special occasion for both him and Raymond.

“You will have realised that Raymond has now passed his 80^th birthday. And this caused him some serious personal reflection, as he has looked back over his life, as a boy, a trainee engineer, a student and as a clergyman,” the Dean said.

“His childhood was lived out in sunny Bangor. His student days through the mid and late 60s, and much of his ministry across the 40 years of the Troubles. And now in retirement he finds himself back here at Belfast Cathedral, and what is much worse, back with his young curate of 40 years ago! It is as if the sands of time have been flowing through an hourglass.”

The Holywood launch of ‘Hourglass.’

Hourglass is the title poem in this latest collection of Raymond’s poems which, Dean Forde said, spans not only time, but also many contemporary issues as Raymond thinks deeply about the world around him and God’s place in that world.

“But great thing about an hourglass is that when the sand runs through one way, you can turn it over, and time starts flowing all over again,” the Dean continued.

“And so this book is in two fascinating parts. The first part is the collection of poems. But the second part is Raymond’s own autobiography. Here he reflects on the people who have shaped him over 80 years of life. He describes, friends, colleagues, family and of course his beloved Jean.”

Dean Forde said that Raymond’s decision to donate the proceeds of Hourglass to the Black Santa 50 Appeal was ‘very generous.’

At the launch in Holywood, Dean Forde spoke about the history of the Black Santa Sit-out, established by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976.

The Rev Canon Ken Smyth recalled how he and Raymond were curates in Holywood Parish. He said he had found Raymond’s book fascinating, covering so many aspects of his life in so many places. Raymond, he said, was a very spiritual person, adding ‘you are a prophet, priest, parent, jazz lover, golfer as well as poet.’

At each launch, Raymond expressed his thanks to all involved before reading three of his poems and mentioning the 13 chapters of his autobiography.

•  The book, costing £10, can be purchased from the Belfast Cathedral shop, Holywood Parish Office and the Good Book Shop, with all proceeds going to Black Santa 50.

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