On a wet and windy day in March 2004 nearly 400 people gathered at the Harnhill centre of Christian Healing to celebrate the life of Revd Canon Arthur Dodds, the founder of the Centre. To accommodate all those who came, a marquee was added to the Barn, and extra sound and vision equipment brought in so that no-one missed anything of the service.

Excerpts were read from his book Desert Harvest which led the congregation through his early days, his RAF career and his call to the ordained ministry in the Church of England. The service celebrated his life, and various family members and others shared with the congregation their experiences of Arthur.

The songs, liturgy and prayers all celebrated the Lord Jesus Christ,
and how He had used Arthur to bring his touch to so many people.

A man of vision, drive, enthusiasm and Godliness – he will be sorely
missed.
Canon Arthur Dodds, a man of adventurous spirit and great faith, was a founder of the Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing, near Cirencester. He was born a parson's son on November 25th, 1920, in Risley, Bedfordshire, the third of four sons. He grew up with the handicap of poor health but somehow bluffed his
way through his medical, having volunteered for aircrew in the RAF. He was shot down over the western desert and struggled towards allied lines, only to be captured by the Italians and made a prisoner of war in Italy until his daring escape to freedom.
It was during this time Arthur considered his vocation for the priesthood. Back in England, Arthur met and married Letty Caldicott, a WRAF and also a Christian, in May 1945. He was accepted to study theology at Queen's College, Oxford, also playing hockey and cricket for his college, moving on to Wells Theological College for two years and being ordained in December 1950.

In 1964, Arthur felt called to move to Chedworth where he was instrumental in setting up a deanery mission as well as leading a parish party to Lee Abbey in North Devon. Arthur became increasingly called to the ministry of healing. He met Robert and Mary Henly, then living at Harnhill Manor, and seeds were sown for the birth of a centre of Christian healing in the Cotswolds.

Arthur's faith throughout was tangible as he witnessed time and again God's healing in those he was privileged to pray for. The Harnhill Centre was his vision that came to fruition in August 1986. Today, more than 8,000 people a year come to the centre to receive the healing touch of Jesus and the harvest continues as thousands of sick and anxious people are guided to wholeness by the glory of God.

Arthur Dodds died in January 2004, a truly remarkable man.
On Saturday 9th October 2004, Watermoor church was full almost to capacity to give thanks for the life of Letty Dodds, the widow of Arthur Dodds who died in the January of the same year. Along with her family, people came from great distances to share in the Thanksgiving Service, which had elements of worship, thanksgiving, sadness and fun. A number of tributes reminded the gathering of Letty’s skill in getting to know people, making them feel at home and encouraging them to develop their potential. Family members talked of their loss of such a metaphorically large person from the family group, and we at Harnhill remembered her welcoming gifts, and her talks at healing services.

We gave thanks for a great woman of God, who has now gone to be reunited with her beloved Arthur, and to meet face to face with the Jesus who has been her Saviour throughout her life.