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Singing the praises of outstanding musical medium Jill Harland

TONY STOCKWELL was one of the first to pay tribute to Jill Harland, whose passing he reported on his Facebook page in March.

Describing her as “an amazing medium” and an “all round beautiful soul”, Stockwell recalled that Jill was a tutor at the Arthur Findlay College (AFC) when he first attended as a teenager and she made a big impression on him.

Years later, she participated in one of his courses as part of his teaching team – possibly her last appearance at the college.

“She hosted a night for the students that was song, mediumship, anecdotes and, of course, lots of humour. I have never seen a session before or since where students cried with laughter and cried with the amazing evidence she gave from Spirit.”

The final years of Jill’s life were spent in a care home, he revealed, “but she never lost her grace, her humility and her ability to see the funny side”.

Stockwell added: “I’ll be one of many that misses her very much. I’ll continue to play her CD often as I travel to demonstrations and shall smile as I think of the time we spent together.”

Jill had first embarked on a musical career, singing in London with some of the biggest bands, including Glen Miller and Geraldo

Jill Harland at the Arthur Findlay College (Photo: Ann Harrison)

And he shared her vocal talents with his followers by posting a video of her final singing appearance at AFC, recorded with her approval on his mobile phone. It attracted more than 11,000 views and numerous expressions of appreciation.

Only those who knew her well were aware that Jill had first embarked on a musical career, singing in London with some of the biggest bands, including those led by legendary figures such as Glen Miller and Geraldo. Jill also spent some time abroad, singing for the troops during World War Two, and then Geraldo became her agent.

These aspects of her life were revealed in November 2008 when Jill received a Spiritualists’ National Union (SNU) Long Service Award in a ceremony held at The Temple of Light in Morecambe, Lancashire.

The award, given in recognition of 25 years’ service, was presented by Minister Eric Hatton, honorary president of the SNU, at the invitation of John Goodman, president of North Lancashire and Cumbria District Council.

“I invited Minister Eric Hatton to make the presentation on my behalf, as he had known and worked with Jill at Stansted for such a long time,” Goodman told Psychic News (PN 13 December, 2008).

The presentation came as a complete surprise to Jill, whose long association with The Temple of Light goes back to the days when she attended services there with her mother. She still served the church as a working medium whenever her busy schedule allowed.

Hatton told the audience that Jill had spent many hours as a tutor at Stansted, and had also travelled to America, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden to demonstrate – a truly international medium who brought much humour along with excellent evidence of life after death.