Brian Cordingley
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the founders and Honorary Chair of Wellsprings El Tular, Brian Cordingley,
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brian Cordingley, a founder of Wellsprings El Tular and former chairman, passed away peacefully on 15th August 2021 at the care home where he had been living, pictured here aged 90.
It was following Brian’s visit to El Tular after the civil war that the link with this community in El Salvador came about and subsequently Wellsprings was founded. If you would like to read more about Brian’s involvement with El Tular, with the help of Howard Sutcliffe, Brian put together writings and thoughts in The Story So Far.
Brian’s emphasis was always that this was a personal friendship and development project with El Salvador (with the emphasis on the personal). He led a remarkable life and will be remembered fondly by many in El Tular and missed by us all.
Read Brian's obituary in the Church Times 17 September 2021
In September 2022 the Wellsprings Committee in El Tular organised for this painting of Brian to be made on the outside wall of the Community House.
The tribute on facebook read:
"The mark that this person has left in El Tular is immense. El Tular’s development definitely began with Brian Cordingley and Wellsprings. No local government has achieved what our friends in England have achieved in our beloved community, especially the assistance to education. We have all benefitted directly or indirectly. Many thanks to the Wellsprings committee for its efforts in this activity".
Wellsprings UK would like to thank those who were involved in planning and painting the magnificent picture of Brian, which bears a very good likeness. We are touched by this tribute, which will provide a lasting memory of Brian and his time with the people of El Tular, all of whom he held very close to his heart.
A tribute to Brian from the Wellsprings Committee in El Tular
The El Tular Community has benefited thanks to the initiative of a group of supportive people who make up Wellsprings, who for several years have supported our families in the following areas: education, economic ventures and health.
Thanks to the initiative of Fr. Brian and other people who visited the community since the 90s this has strengthened a strong friendship with our community.
“The most important support we have received is in the area of education and as members of the Committee we are always willing to spend the time necessary to support young people” says Víctor, a community member of El Tular.
In August 2021, the news was received that the main founder of this initiative, Fr. Brian, had passed away. In those moments the people of the community met in Casa Comunal, to carry out a religious act and reflect on the history of your visits.
This year 2022, the El Tular Committee decided dedicate a painting to it, on the façade of the main community house. According to what Judit, President of the El Tular Committee, expresses "Through this painting we want to express that Brian has a special place in each one of our families in the Community.”
This place where the painting is located represents a meeting point of the different committees that meet to plan activities and projects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the community. This is also the place where meetings take place between Wellsprings delegations and the people of El Tular.
We will always remember Brian and Muriel.