Memories
Memories of Graeme, shared by the people who knew him.
We first met Graeme in 1979, after our conversion to Christianity at a Daniel Cozens Mission in Newburn, on the outskirts of Newcastle. Graeme befriended us and nurtured our new Christian faith through a combination of his zany sense of humour, crazy ideas and absolute loving kindness. Who can forget the time he set us the task of reading a section of ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ (written in old English) every night before going to bed? Who can forget the time he got us to learn the whole of 2 Timothy off by heart and got us to recite it every time we saw him? Who can forget the way he used to lie, stretched out on our sofa, explaining the formula he had come up with for calculating how many girls he would have to meet before he met his future wife?! Happily, soon after that, God intervened and Graeme never really had time to test his formula. He met lovely Jan and the rest, as they say, is history. Graeme was a truly lovely person with an amazing faith in God. We will always we thankful for his friendship.
So many!
Graeme used to cycle over to The Rectory in Coton when he was at Uni. He came regularly and we loved it. He would drape himself over a chair, he never sat properly! - and join in with our family life. He endeared himself to us all and then became Godfather to our youngest (Mary). He used to write her cards with 'mixed-up fairy tales' to make her laugh.
He won a Helicopter ride in the Garden Party raffle!
Then of course you'll have photos of our girls as bridesmaids when he married Janet.
Such happy memories.
He was a loyal and lovely friend who kept in touch over all the years .We have a Pringle family tradition - "Tree Day". It is the day we put up the Christmas tree, decorate the house, eat pancakes, open Tree Day presents, and argue about the correct tempo to set the pulsing Christmas tree lights! Nowadays we have an artificial tree - topped with the traditional Christmas Dalek, but for most of the 80s/90s Mum and Dad would buy a real tree.
One of my earliest memories, age 3, was Tree Day 1990 (7th December?). It was almost cancelled after a heavy snowfall in Coventry left dangerous roads and our driveway completely blocked in... but Dad saved the day; walking to the store, buying a tree, and dragging it all the way back home through the heavy snow!A card given to Mum after Jen was born.
Did you know that Graeme worked on the production of Cadbury's Roses?!
As a Systems and Controls Engineer he specialised in designing and calibrating machines which monitored and controlled the temperature of fluids - a skill he continued to find a use for as a vicar, as he'd often tinker with the calibration of church heating.
In the early 90s he was contracted to Cadbury in Bournville to work on tempering chocolate on a production line. To temper chocolate you need to first heat it to melt it, then cool it to crystalise, then heat it again - but to produce chocolate of a consistent texture, the temperature and timings require precision. He once described to me a machine where a constant flow of molten chocolate would slowly flow up a large metalic structure, each section carefully heated to a different temperature... I like to think of him at that time as Willy Wonka with differential equations.
When I was very young, Dad got me interested in mazes. He taught me the "left hand rule" for solving [simply connected] mazes, but he also taught me his approach to designing mazes so that they are interesting for people to solve. Whenever we went to a beach, Dad would disappear for 20 minutes to sketch out a gigantic maze in the sand, and then all the children would line up at the entrance and we'd run around trying to solve his latest creation.
For many years, we used to holiday with our good friends Andy and Barbara and their children Joe and Sam.
We had some great holidays in England and abroad.
This picture is from one of our earlier ones.Dad had to travel abroad, often for weeks at a time, when working as an Engineer. In the early 90s communication overseas was a bit trickier; there was no Zoom yet! The distance made family life trickier, and so after a few of these trips Dad got agreement from his work to stop doing the foreign travel... However in 1992 they asked him again to go out to a site in America, so he felt empowered to offer them a deal. To our surprise they accepted... His work paid for the rest of us to go with him; they gave us a nice apartment, covered expenses and even threw in some spending money! Dad still had to work during the week, but for the rest of us it was a great adventure and fantastic holiday; and when work was done for the day, Graeme could just drive home and spend his evenings with us.
My early love of maths definitely came from Mum, but it was Dad who introduced me to coding. He patiently built this mental arithmetic game - Rockets - in BASIC with me, explaining how everything worked. I found the source code in a drawer this week, and have asked Opus 5.5 to port it to JavaScript, so you can play it online... Looking back at this very simple game, I'm surprised that it would keep my attention, I used to play it for hours! It gets pretty fast, so I'd recommend starting at speed 1. Feel free to let me know if you beat my high score :)
I can't remember the exact year but it must have been during the 1990s when I was working at St Bartholomew's CE Primary School. I worked with Jan & also knew Graeme as parents. I taught Chris in years 3 & 4 and later Emily in years 5 & 6.
Whilst working in years 3 &4, there was always the annual residential trip to Southam. I drove the minibus & Graeme rode shotgun with me on this particular occasion. I was doing my best 'tourist guide' patter to the children sitting in the back & was telling them about the Roman road we were now driving along. I said it was Watling Street but Graeme quietly whispered to me "I think it's actually the Fosse Way". He was of course right!
I'd like to say my geography has improved over the years, although some might disagree!
My lasting memory of Graeme is him being a gentle, kind and lovely man. Thinking of you all & sending much love.Graeme christened my youngest child, and helped me explore god and get to know him more.
Where can we start - 25 years ago this week we were lucky to have Graeme
lead the prayers at our wedding and he led us by example through his and Janet’s marriage. Graeme and I both married into the Cloughs - but on Eva and Arthurs’s passing he was a huge part of making sure we stayed connected as a family - the Strictly weekends became a tradition with the Pringle prosecco tradition honoured and a good board game always incorporated before the Chinese (Graeme’s favourite part of the weekend). These weekends always had a maths/science bent, a share of a beautiful faith and a love of family - and in recent years we loved hearing of his and Janet’s latest travels, storing up our own retirement plans.I was Graeme's first ever curate at St Christopher's. He treated me as an equal even though I had lots to learn. We were very different but I always remember how he used our varying gifts to make more together than we could as individuals. He was relentlessly kind and when I needed some time off for depression he took lots of time and effort to try to understand how I was feeling and how he could best support me. We came up with one of his simple solutions - a colour chart which told him all he needed about how that day was going. His support was unwavering and he even agreed to look after my cat when I went away. Jen, you have Marmalade to thank for your dad coming round to the idea of having a cat at home!
In 2003, I remember Dad gathering the family to let me know that they'd all been in talks and agreed it was time to let me get a cat (which I'd been asking for since I could talk). It was the best news ever. Me and Dad would go each week to the RSPCA to see if there were any kittens available and one week, we found two black and white kittens. I held both of them and Dad pointed out that one of them seemed a bit more happy to be picked up, so we went with that one, who had many nicknames including 'Pog'. She won Dad over very quickly as she initially refused to eat and Dad was the one who got her eating by giving her roast beef! From that point on, he treated her like a princess and they were fairly inseparable until she died just a few years ago, aged 19.
Some highlights include:
- Her favourite food was tuna and Dad taught her a routine that involved learning the word, responding to it, and doing a little circle around and in between Dad's legs to get to her tuna.
- Although she lived in 3 of Mum and Dad's houses, her favourite spot was in front of the fire in the Rectory. She would associate the pop of a bottle and the fire being lit with 'treat time' and knew that meant she was likely to get extra tuna (which Dad always gave in to give her).
- If Dad hadn't seen Pog for at least 5 mins, he would start going around the house asking 'where's my cat?' and wouldn't settle until he found her and she was back by his side.
- When we were in the vicarage, Pog had the habit of not wanting to go out very often, deciding she much preferred the life of the pampered indoor cat and insisting Dad open the back door for her to go out to use the toilet, rather than have to push her face through a cat flat.
- On the rare occasion she did venture out, she had a habit of finding her adventurous spirit and climbing the church roof. The most notable time was moments before the Sunday service and Dad and the church warden had to climb up the roof to fetch her as she was meowing as if she was stuck. By the time they got up there, she was happily watching them from the ground and looking confused why these grown men were climbing her roof.When Graeme travelled to Warwick Hospital on the morning of Friday 12th September 2003 to Baptise our very early born daughter Cara. Having me suggesting he used a syringe to squirt her, he suggested a teaspoon may be more appropriate.
She grown to continue to be involved in the music of St Christopher's, often seen bopping to her beat whilst playing the bass guitar.
Thank you Graeme for your support through the early weeks of Cara's life and may you be 'resting' in God's eternal glory.
Dad is pictured here in his usual spot at his parents' house by the fire. Given the date of this photo I suspect he is playing The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
I have many video game related memories with Dad; from watching him play, and after many months beat, Captain Comic II: Fractured Reality in 1993... spreadsheets of calculations designing the perfect city in Sim City 2000... hand drawing the entire map of Zelda: Link's Awakening (because we couldn't just look up a guide on the internet!)... LAN games of Age of Empires II in 2000 on the home network he'd installed (Dad only ever played as the Franks; and would have multi-hour games where he'd take on the CPU on the hardest difficulty 1v7 by pausing and thinking once every few seconds!)
I first got to know Graeme properly in 2007 when I would make regular trips across Coventry to visit Jennie.
Being relatively new on the roads (and in the days before sat nav) I had a remarkable ability to get lost! I remember one evening driving out to collect a pizza to bring back to the vicarage, only to get so terribly lost that we somehow ended up at Birmingham Airport! That was just one example of many when we would have to call Graeme, who would calmly talk us through where we were and help us get our bearings!
Another thing I remember fondly about Graeme was his inventive approach to cooking. I was fortunate enough to be invited on a family trip to Kent, and after a wonderful lasagne one evening, Graeme introduced me to one of his specialities, fried breakfast lasagne! I have to say it was absolutely delicious and I still enjoy this delicacy to this day!
More recently, I will never forget Graeme and Jan’s kindness when my dad was critically ill, before he sadly passed away in February 2022. Graeme was incredibly generous with his time and support, helping us navigate such a difficult period. He was an immense source of support and his kindness is something I will always remember and be grateful for.
When I think of Graeme, I think of his calm nature, kindness and sense of humour. I feel very fortunate to have known him and to have shared memories with him. He will be greatly missed.
When I was Graeme's Curate, he taught me many things, not least that a Vicar couldn't be too proud and had to have a sense of humour.
Whenever I think of Graham I always come back to the memory of him crawling around his living room pretending to be a cat during a game of charades when we had gone for dinner at the vicarage following my dad’s passing.
I have so many lovely memories of growing up and attending St Christopher’s Church.
I remember being in my first year of uni, living in halls with Jen. I must have mentioned that I wanted to figure out my budget. Next thing I know I’m sat on a Zoom call with Graeme while he kindly and very patiently talked me through the budgeting spreadsheet he’d put together for Jen. In all honesty, I didn’t have a clue what it all meant and I don't think I ever used it (so sorry Graeme!) but I love that he gave up his time to help me out. What a great guy.
Graeme had the difficult task of taking on the responsibility of Communications after I had left the diocese. We shared thoughts and ideas about how things could operate. Graeme was clearly a specialist in technology, and this really helped the diocese develop its IT.
I found him to be a very gentle and gracious man. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
RIP Graeme, a true example of living a Christian life.I worked with Graeme for 8 years in the diocesan office, although I've known him for much longer, it is those years where I came to know him well. He was an unfailingly wonderful colleague. He dealt with some of the hardest things we have to face in the church and yet he was always good humoured and ready to make us all laugh. One particularly funny moment, which never fails to make me laugh when I remember it, was when we were having a Christmas lunch at which we'd agreed to wear Christmas jumpers. He didn't have a suitable garment so had made one out of a soft toy (possibly a reindeer) holding a blackboard with a chalk written number of days till Christmas. He'd carefully attached it to himself with several pieces of string and walked in proudly wearing it. He had us in stiches without even saying a word. It was so brilliantly absurd, and he didn't mind looking silly in order to make us happy.
We worked on some big and important things, the centenary group for example, which led to so many happy memories. When he came to me to apply for his sabbatical all he really wanted was a bit of time to pin down this idea he had about a safeguarding dashboard. I remember thinking how noble it was to spend sabbath time making something to help. He totally failed to write it up as a proper application and we laughed together later about the form he submitted with a lot of answers which said nothing more than 'I don't know yet'. But we met and talked it through and I pitched his sabbatical to the Bishop without his form attached because I trusted him. I am so incredibly proud of what he did with that time, and it wasn't because I especially understood the idea, but because I knew him to be a good man, and that nothing but good would come out of giving him time to work on something he thought was important. It is so very Graeme that he invested that time in making something which has made life easier for churches to make people safer.
But, for all the work we did alongside each other, it is just the loveliness of the person he was which means the most to me. I was always glad to walk into a room and see Graeme in it, the last time I saw him he greeted me with that lovely smile from across a room and we caught up for a few minutes, much conveyed in a short time, in that way which is only possible because you know each other well. He was one of those people with whom I belonged in this diocese, we were part of a set, and without him we will always feel incomplete.
Graeme was a wonderful colleague who I first knew as Vicar of St Christopher's and then worked with in his role as Director of Communications and Projects. So much of what he did in the latter role was foundational - the safeguarding dashboard, the revitalisation of the diocesan prayer diary and the design of a completely new parish share system. The depth of his thinking, wide consultation and perceptive analysis about how a parish share system could be both easy to explain and objective was remarkable. A truly wonderful servant-hearted, kind and talented man. I'm sure we will all miss him very much.
This photo is of our small group which Graeme and Jan led for several years. It was taken at Jo and Chris's wedding at St Paul's in 2017. We really enjoyed being part of the Pringle small group.
Graeme was such a kind and thoughtful man – he was a leading light in safeguarding in the Diocese of Coventry and beyond. He was unflappable, encouraging and witty – knowing exactly when each of those was needed. As a team we were always proud when the wider community talked about ‘Our Graeme’.
Graeme was always the face you needed to see and he would pop into the office to thoughtfully catch up with all of the team and check out the biscuit situation.
Thank you Graeme for all that you have shared, you will always be remembered and held in our hearts, as will Jan and your family and friends.
During the pandemic - Dad, Em and I started playing boardgames together online on boardgamearena.com and had kept doing this ever since. Dad liked to think deeply about his moves, so we played asynchronously so that he could spend hours thinking about each move!
Dad played:
Agricola: 43 games - picture of his highest scoring farm attached!
My City: 24 games (1 campaign)
The Castles of Burgundy: 17 games
Sushi Go!: 9 games
Stone Age: 8 games
Railroad Ink: 5 games
Race for the Galaxy: 4 games
My City: Roll & Build: 3 games
Kingdomino: 2 games
Can't Stop: 1 game
Welcome To: 1 gameDuring lockdown, I was in a bubble with Mum and Dad at one point so I was able to go and stay with them. Dad insisted on driving all the way down to Brighton to pick me up and take me back home and he took great joy in listening to the entire Hamilton soundtrack on the way - which finished exactly at the moment he turned into my street. He loved Hamilton and the same weekend we also watched the live version on Disney, and later he did go and see it in the west end too.
On the 25th December 2020 there was a 1-day relaxation on the household mixing rules.
Dad made the hour long trip and was outside my home ready to start celebrating Christmas at 0:00 and drive my to the family home where Jan, Em and Jen were waiting. We made every minute of those permitted 24 hours count!I'm so saddened to hear of Graeme passing away. I joined 5 years ago and as such have very much been a part of the Dashboards journey. Graeme through his work with dashboards has had such a massive impact on my area of work making safeguarding much simpler for people but also giving me the tools to be able to monitor the absolutely vast and intense work of 466 parishes. That has in turn helped change the culture and keep people safe.
Graeme was generous with his time always, calm when we were stressed and patient when we were challenging. We would always gently tease Graeme when delivering our Parish Safeguarding Officer Training which always featured one of his video's about Dashboards. I would always do the Cilla Black Blind date catchphrase "Here's Graeme with a quick reminder" and try and summarise the video with my own 4/10 poor excuse of a Birmingham accent impression. We will continue to remember him through his work.
For me faith is about action as much as it is about finding the right words. Graeme was a man whose actions have had a really significant impact on the world of safeguarding and I feel grateful to have met him and also for the impact his work has had on all of us here in Bath and Wells. We had a fantastic independent safeguarding audit here 15 months ago and a large reason for that was Dashboards.
To Graeme's family you are in my prayers. I lost my Dad two years ago and far too young. He was married to my Mum for 50 years and met as teenagers. The journey for my Mum, myself and my siblings has been incredibly tough but it does get easier with the passage of time and with all the happy memories you share.
With love and affection from myself as Head of Safeguarding, my Team, all of our volunteers and staff in Bath Wells.
Ben (Ben.Goodhind@bathwells.anglican.org)
Graeme was my manager at the diocese from 2016 to 2023. When I first got the role in 2016 I was one year out of university and knew very little about the world of communications, Graeme was a kind and patient teacher. I really valued his ability to stay calm during comms crises - which there were a few!
During his retirement celebration in the office we had a ‘vote for your favourite Pringle’. Unfortunately Graeme came second to sour cream and chive but was very graceful about it!
When he retired he was missed greatly in the office. It has been lovely to see him and Jan adventuring around the world these past few years with many cruises.
Sending love and prayers to Jan and the family during this heartbreaking time.I wanted to share a selection of photos from his retirement doo to show how much we loved him!
The first photo - Graeme reading a letter from Bishop Christopher thanking him for all he had done.
The second photo - ‘chose your favourite Pringle’ game, organised by Anna, which he thoroughly enjoyed!
The third photo - the staff gathered as he cut his retirement cake.Graeme would often accompany me at Christmas to the Bishop’s party, dressed in a bow tie and suit, with a big smile he would embrace the occasion. He thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas season at the diocese and we loved his sense of occasion mixed with good humour!
Graeme was deeply loved and appreciated by us all.
The last time I saw Graeme was at a ‘Picnic in the Park’ event in London, watching a live orchestra with singers perform various songs from musicals. Having known Jen since 2010, I’ve always enjoyed days like these where I get to be part of the Pringle tribe! A beautiful and fun memory I now get to keep is watching Graeme and Jan dancing along to the music together while Jen and I minded the picnic and enjoyed the M&S treats!
I worked with Graeme first in Coventry Diocese and then while we were centrally planning CofE systems. He was always kind, fair, insightful and utterly lovely. I will miss him. Ant x
In November 2025, I told Dad I'd like to start exploring options for buying a flat. Within 24 hours, he phoned me with a plan of how him and Mum were going to help make this possible. From that point on, we spoke nearly every day as he became my go-to person for every aspect of buying and he patiently talked me through every single step.
On the day that I got my keys, him and my mum came straight down with a car full of my belongings they'd been storing and couldn't wait to get rid of! I'm so grateful that they then came back for a few days in July when I'd settled in and got to enjoy seeing how I'd decorated...although he didn't rest for long as he kindly worked his way through a big list of jobs!Dad and I always used to share a love of seafood. I remember when dad first introduced me to mussels. We were on holiday in France at the time. He told me to not look too closely at them, as that might put me off, and just focus on the taste. Thankfully it worked and I loved them!
Ever since then, dad and I have enjoyed many good seafood dishes on holidays abroad. We would often buy mussels from the supermarket, take them home to cook, and then eat them at the bottom of the garden (no-one else liked the smell!)
On cruises, Dad and I would get excited every time we saw lobster on the menu. And most recently, when visiting mum and dad in Spain, dad said how much he was looking forward to going out for seafood paella. Dad had spent four weeks in Spain looking forward to it, as mum doesn’t eat seafood and all the Spanish restaurants were serving paella for two. It did not disappoint and we very much enjoyed sharing a large dish of paella together.
It's become a Pringle tradition to celebrate with prosecco whenever one of us comes home. We always look forward to those special moments of reuniting with one another.
This photo was taken when I came home to mum and dad's this summer the day before we set off on our family cruise. We were so excited for all the adventures ahead, and I can now look back on the many great memories of that final holiday together.
I didn't want dad to go today - I've said to God that his timings are often inconvenient! But today we will celebrate with one another as he goes home to be with Jesus. This time it won't be prosecco - it will be champagne!
On our final night of our recent cruise holiday, we were all a bit sad about the holiday coming to an end so I asked everyone to say one thing they were looking forward to between now and Christmas. All Dad wanted to share was all the plans he'd made with each of us over the coming months. He loved nothing more than being with his family. The last morning as we were leaving, and the last time I saw Dad, he told me how much fun he'd had that final night in particular and was already trying to persuade us to book our next cruise!
Dad was of the view that most problems could be solved with a good spreadsheet.
Searching his laptop this morning I found 2675 Excel files!It had been a long hot summer!
What a kind and gentle human being, and a real champion of safeguarding. His work on the Parish and Cathedral dashboards will continue to help keep people safe across the country.
Dad’s culinary innovation:
Beans Under ToastSince Graeme stepped down from his diocesan role in early 2023, we have had more time for travelling and have had some real adventures together. He loved seeing new places.
Almost always, wherever we were, he would want to climb to the highest point and see the view.Graeme was such a support to me in PCC - mostly by bribing me with biscuits so that I would finish by 9:15!
I also remember him leading the intercessions and praying for my course ‘securely simple’ rather than ‘securely single’ 🤣. Getting things mixed up a bit there!
I will really miss his calmness and dry wit!
I will always remember Graeme as a gentle man with a twinkle in his eye and a dry sense of humour. He was a man who evidently loved God, doted on Jan and was very proud of Chris, Emily and Jen. Didn’t know him terribly well, but enough to know those things.
On the day of my ordination in June I was delighted to see him in the procession with his Canon clerical wear on. He smiled at me as he passed and it was comforting in a big moment!
His was a life well lived and to the full. He will be sorely missed. RIP good and faithful
servant xI first met Graeme in Coventry in 2015. His presence in the office was always understated and quiet but he’d be sneakily cheeky. A few fun memories:
- Every so often, Graeme would let out an uncanny miaow, often to break up the most serious or quiet of office days. It took a while to work out where they were coming from
- He was a dedicated cake eater - even cakes which had been sitting out on the desks an unsettling amount of time. His theory being that all cake is edible, leave it long enough and it eventually turns to biscuit!
- He would always eat his baguette for lunch at 11:30
- He always hung up the phone before I’d finished saying goodbye
- On one of several long car journeys up to the North East (him driving) he talked for 2 hours non-stop about cricket for dummies. I am now a cricket expert!
- A couple of years ago after I’d moved to my new job and he’d retired, he visited my house and made himself comfortable (horizontal) on the spare bed in my study while I sat on my office chair and we talked about websitesI was privileged to be able to visit him in hospital a week ago and chat to him, read the Isaiah 40-41 to him, pray with him. I have so much I still want to say to him, but we will meet again. For now, Graeme, go soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31).
I don’t have a particular memory but I’m grateful for Graeme and his life. Both him and Jan have poured into younger leaders in the church (Growing Leaders), one group which I was a part of a few years back. He was always a man with a smile, thoughtful and kind. Praying for you all as you remember beautiful memories. ♥️🙏🏽
I just remember Uncle Graeme, whenever I met him, as always seeming quietly kind and laid back. I remember liking him straight away and it was his sense of humour that appealed. The quiet words that raised a smile and the twinkle in his eye. He had a presence that was warm and welcoming and radiated a peace that told you more than words ever could.
Graeme was the most wonderfully supportive colleague whose kindness and thoughtfulness - as well as his wicked sense of humour- I valued more highly than I can express. In an act of huge and typical generosity, he bought copies of Charlie Mackesy’s book, ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’, for several of his colleagues, including me. The author had dedicated the book to its readers, instructing them to remember that they (we) matter and that we bring to this world things no one else can. The gift of this book was, I felt, Graeme’s way of providing gentle encouragement and affirmation to each of us irrespective of the roles we occupied. I re-read the book during these last few days and have given thanks to God in remembrance of our lovely Graeme.
Graeme and Jan blessed us both and our family by leading our small group. Such wisdom and calm assurance as they gathered in our home so we could both attend while small children slept. He was always himself, no heirs and graces - just genuine love, truth and fabulous humour. When we moved to Budbrooke, they came and prayed with us and after Covid invited us for a wonderful reunion at their home. So grateful to have called him a friend.
Whether in meetings or in conversation, Graeme's encouraging smile was always a welcome confidence boost. His wisdom was something I sought on many an occasion - something he offered generously and with humility. Graeme's gentle demeanor and prayerful approach to tricky situations was something I try to replicate, often asking myself the question, 'How would Graeme approach this?'. It was my privilege to serve alongside him within the diocese.
Dear Jan and family
My sincere condolences for the loss of Greame .
To me, Greame was a very sincere man in his delivery of the sermon/ talk on a Sunday morning. He always spoke that everone could understand the point of his message..
That prescious tome God gave you before his heart attack , also the days leading up to his passing, to be with each other in you sadness.
My prayers continue for all of you and especially for you Jan , coming to termed
with being on your own . It’s not easy as I know but having close family and most importantly God will comfort and His love will surround you .
Love in Christ Jesus .I met Graeme when I arrived in the Diocese as Anglican Chaplain to the University of Warwick in 1998 and he was Vicar of St Chritopher's Allesley. He was one of the nicest colleagues one could wish for. He also had a very clear strategic mind which was of invaluable help to me when as Area Dean of Coventry South we were struggling to settle on an intelligible formula for calculating the Deanery Share, which he succeeded in doing. It was later extended to the Diocese as a whole in a modified form. Even though he was enormously capable, his mild and unassuming manner belied that incontrovertible fact. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!
Graeme, you were such an amazing man of God. You were always a great support to me and my ministry and I thank God for your love, wisdom and insight. You were always so professional and always had the right words to say. I like so many others, will miss you deeply. Rest in peace faithful servant of our Lord and rise in glory.
I loved working alongside Graeme during our years together on Bishops Core Staff. He combined dry humour with an unflappable manner and infinite patience. He was always worth listening to, making really considered and wise contributions. The Centenary Conference which he helped to plan in 2018 remains one of my favourite memories of ministering in Coventry Diocese - a moment when we saw ourselves as the very best we could be together. During Covid, Graeme's calm and reassuring communications kept a generation of clergy and lay leaders sane as we negotiated the ever changing advice and regulations. And there are not words adequate to expressing my gratitude to Graeme for developing the Safeguarding Dashboard. It has been an absolute game-changer for the Church and for those we are called to welcome and protect. Well done good and faithful servant - oh how we will miss you!
I was so shocked to hear of Graeme’s illness and death. He was a wonderful colleague - a person of deep humility and grace. He was a very supportive team player who combined clear strategic thinking with a lovely sense of humour. Above all I will remember his ability to encourage, and his care for all those he worked with. A true Christian witness who will be very much missed. Love and prayers to Jan and all the family.
I worked with Graeme in his Comms role at Coventry, as part of the steering group for the national CMS and over the years as part of the Church of England national communications network. I always found him a considerate and caring colleague, and whose scrutiny and eye for detail were a gift to those tasked with complex development tasks. He was a deeply valued member of our community, and my prayers are for his family as they come to terms with his sudden loss. May he rest in peace and Rise in Glory. Nick
Graeme was a gentle man. A man of great wisdom and with a huge heart for people. His passion for supporting Churches with fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities led to the creation of resources that have been a lifeline to many PSOs in the Church of England. It would not be an exaggeration to say his impact in developing safer and healthier Church communities across the country has been immeasurable.
I thank God for Graeme. He will be greatly missed by so many. My prayers are for his family and friends, that they will know God's peace, comfort and strength as they come to terms with their loss, yet rejoicing that Graeme is now in glory with his Lord whom he served so faithfully.
I joined the Diocese in 2020, and Graeme was such a supportive and encouraging colleague. I was blessed to have him as my line manager for a time. He was a great listener and his gentle, wise nature was always appreciated.
Graeme carried God's peaceful presence into even the most challenging situations, and he always looked out for those around him. As a team, it was always a joy when he popped into the office for a chat and he had a remarkable ability to lift people's spirit's.
His incredible work on the parish dashboards, together with his unwavering support for the safeguarding team, has made a lasting difference. He will be greatly missed . My prayers are with Jan and the whole family.
When we were growing up, we had a family tradition of having 'special days' with our parents where each child got a day out on their own with one parent at a time and it was completely up to us what we wanted to do. I took great delight in planning each day trip with Dad when I was younger and one of my favourite activities included going to Woolworths for breakfast. I asked Dad for a surprise once and he took me to the zoo for the first time in my life and I still remember how excited I was when he told me the day before. As I grew into my teenage years, I would often ask Dad to take me to concerts at the NEC arena in Birmingham. He was happy to do so even though he did not share my taste in bands/artists such as Blue, Shayne Ward, Christina Aguilera and One Republic. I will always cherish quality time with him and I'm so grateful to have those memories of our special days together.
Jacqui and I will remember Graeme as a genuine man of God in whom Jesus was manifest and through whom God's love was shared wisely and kindly. Graeme and I were contemporaries in the Diocese, and on more than one occasion Graeme's wisdom was very helpful to me in handling a delicate situation. He will be greatly missed but his life and ministry have been remarkable and amongst other things, have made the Church of England a safer place. Graeme will live on in more than just positive influence, but that's a big part of how God has used him to bless us. May he rest in peace and be raised with Christ. Peace and comfort with living hope be yours, Jan and family.
A true professional who was engaging, thorough, innovative, generous and with a fantastic ability to solve problems. His willingness to listen, engage and respond are legendary.
Graeme has done more to make our churches safer places than anyone else in the Church of England. He has helped so many PSOs, clergy, PCCs, DSOs and members of Diocesan Safeguarding Teams. His work to create the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard has been a game changer.
He has left a legacy and has truly made a difference he will be missed by so many who will have never met him.
I first met Graeme when he was writing and shaping the technical specification for the CMS Database. Today, that system proudly serves most dioceses across the Church, but what always stood out to me was that Graeme’s remarkable mind shaped far more than the product itself. He also established many of the principles and governance that continue to guide it today, including the user-led approach that has allowed it to evolve and improve over the years.
In August, Graeme wrote to me to share and remind me of his original documents and ideas for another far-reaching product: the safeguarding dashboards that now serve parishes across the Church. His email was both a thank you and a thoughtful reflection on everything that had been achieved. It is a message I will treasure and keep.
I remember pitching that idea to the National Church together. It wasn’t taken forward at the time, but Graeme believed in it. Rather than letting it fade away, he pressed on and made it happen anyway. I, along with many others, am deeply grateful that he did. His determination and vision have left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit countless people across the Church.
Graeme was a constant supporter, an exceptional thinker, and an all-round lovely colleague. He combined wisdom with humility, and innovation with kindness. He had a rare gift for seeing both the big picture and the practical detail, always bringing thoughtful insight and encouragement to those around him.
I will miss his wise and wonderful thinking, but even more than that, I will miss his gentle, kind and generous nature. My prayers are with Jan, his family, his friends, and the many people whose lives and work were touched so positively by Graeme, including mine.
The Church is better because of what Graeme built, but more importantly, because of the person he was.Fraser McNish (interim) Chief Operating Officer - National Church Institutions
My memory of Graeme is a professional one: I am a Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in the Church of England, and have known Graeme since he began the Parish Dashboard. In my view, Graeme had a greater positive impact on safeguarding in the CofE than any other individual. Importantly, that impact happened where it really matters…in our parishes. Dashboard didn’t happen because of a national initiative or centralised funding…Graeme grew it from the ground up, and every Diocese in the country now uses it because we all saw how brilliant it was. No other individual has come close to this level of positive impact. Graeme left a lasting legacy to the church he served…children and adults are safer because of what he did, and churches can be more confident as they serve their communities. He will be sorely missed by all of us who worked with him, but what he left behind will continue to change things for the better for years to come.
Having for some years been receiving emails from Graeme in his role as Director of Communications for the Diocese, I first met him in January 2018 when I joined other PSOs in the Parish Safeguarding Focus Group - to pilot safeguarding resources within our parishes - which led to the development of the Parish Dashboard and, more recently, the Safeguarding Hub. Graeme's vision, and skill in transferring that vision into reality, was awesome, equalled by his kindness and patience to those of us on a lower level! I will continue to think of Graeme every time I open the dashboard. With my prayers and deepest sympathy to Jan and her family.
I've worked with Graeme on Church of England projects and then the Safeguarding tools he developed. He was always a joy to work with and extremely knowledgeable.
His desire to serve and support the churches through web and technology was clear in our interactions and he has left a big legacy with the Safeguarding software he created.
My condolences to his family and friends.
"When I stand in Glory, I shall see His face, and there i'll serve my King forever in that Holy Place".
Sadly I don't have any photos to share of Graeme, just memories. I met him first in 1986, when I went to work at Holy Trinity Church in Coventry. He was kind and welcoming to a young man, fresh out of university and struggling to find his feet. He and Jan used to come to the church house where I lived for home group meetings, and they were there on the night Jan went into labour with Chris.
Graeme used to tease me, always with a straight face, so I never knew when he was being serious and when he was joking. But he also used to help me, without being asked, when he could see I needed it.
He taught me how to use a computer, and he seemed to understand everything about them. When the thing went wrong, or wouldn't do what I wanted it to do, Graeme would patiently explain, all the while mercilessly pulling my leg.
Our paths crossed again in the mid 90s when we were training for ordained ministry together at St John's College Nottingham. We were on the same course together, and when it was his turn to lead a seminar he would have produced a handout "with holes pre-punched for your convenience." The rest of us had to up our game to keep up with him.
He was gentle, he was wise, he was endlessly patient. I am deeply sad to think of you all having to live without him, but I trust the day will come when all your tears will be wiped away.
In Christ there is no night, just one eternal morning in which the living and the dead awake and embrace.I first met Graeme in 1964 when I was 3 years old and as families we grew up together, went to Sunday School together, saw films at the pictures, Christmas and New Year celebrations
I am so grateful to Graeme for praying for me when I was living without a care for God until I was 18 and gave my heart to God in 1979. He was a lovely man who worked so wonderfully for God. His lovely wife Jan, his children Chris, Emily, and Jenny, his Father Uncle Norman, and brother Philip all have my love and prayers,Thank you Graeme for everything you did for me you are a very special friend. I know I will see you again
God Bless LynneSorry to hear of the death of Graeme such a lovely man, always got a smile and a joke. My most poignant memory was when my husband John was in a coma in hospital. It was our 35th wedding anniversary on 29 of August 2005 ( Bank holiday Monday). Graeme arrived and did us a simple service of the renewing of our wedding vows. I hoped that John could hear. So special to me ,as John died that afternoon. Dear Graeme may you rest in Gods peace . Sending condolences to all the family. love Dianexxxx
I remember first meeting Graeme about 15 years ago at a conference where I was speaking. He introduced himself afterwards and asked some very insightful questions, always in such a gentle and genuine way. I remember thinking, “This guy has an amazing mind,” and I really enjoyed our discussions.
A few years later, our paths crossed again when I had the privilege of working with him on the Church of England CMS project. Graeme had an amazing gift for getting right to the heart of an issue. He would ask thoughtful and challenging questions, but would also think deeply about possible solutions.
He had a remarkable ability to articulate complex things clearly and explain them in a way that those of us without his depth of knowledge could understand. And he always did so with gentleness, patience and respect. I, for one, greatly valued his insight, his input and the opportunity to work alongside him.
Graeme’s aim was always to make things better, and his servant heart was clear to see. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family and all those closest to him.
He does, however, leave behind many legacies. The impact he had on people, and on the things he helped to shape and improve, will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Graeme. Until we meet again.
I never had the chance to meet Graeme in person, but I worked with him over the past few years on the rollout of the Parish Dashboard and Hub across our diocese. I greatly enjoyed working with him and admired his dedication to making safeguarding as straightforward and manageable as possible for parishes.
I found Graeme genuine, humble, and down to earth. The Dashboard he created has made a tremendous difference in our diocese, and I only wish I could have thanked him personally.
My thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with Jan and his children.After forty plus years of friendship, beloved Graeme became our family vicar as well as being a part of our family. We had a planning session (of course) before the funeral, and the three siblings all thought they knew what Dad's favourite hymn was, so we chose all three. Graeme announced each one as Dad's favourite.... the congregation giggled.....
A trip to Budapest together, we think we introduced them to "Funnel Cake" here. Graeme and Jan were the super walkers, always keeping their steps up.
Always fair
Some holidays together were in larger houses, and if Jan was sitting in another room reading ... we would sometimes here Graeme shout from elsewhere in the house ..."love you Jan"... another giggle and a "love you" back... what shining examples of a loving marriage.
Bringing thanks for Graeme's life and commitment to Coventry diocese, on behalf on the Reader community. With our love and prayers.
Graeme was kind, thoughtful and good with people. Although not a singer or musician he was appreciative of the role that both traditional and contemporary music could play in worship; to calm, steady, enliven or do other things. I enjoyed a number of evenings with him going through hymn and songbooks looking for just the right balance of music for key services. He was also willing to let me pursue some more eccentric choices, particularly the Christmas Carols and Readings service.
Catherine remembers first meeting Graeme as a new curate at St. Bartholomew's Church in Binley, Coventry and both enthusing over their various specialties in engineering...
St. Bartholomew's Church family life included varied services, Christian courses, holidays, holiday clubs and countryside walks led by Mike Cryer and his best friend Brian Slater. Catherine, and her young son Alex, Graeme & Jan and David & Anne & all their children among many other families took part in these walks around Warwickshire. Somewhere in Catherine's garage, one day she is sure to find some photographic evidence of these family walks which will be passed on to Jan which included an interesting time in a field of cows walking towards us... Then we noticed one was not a cow, so we accelerated to the encouragement of those on the other side of the gate.
Richard spent time with Graeme during his Christians for life course at St. Bartholomew's.
Many years later Catherine and Richard had married and moved to Oxfordshire. They were very pleased to meet Graeme & Jan in Potten at a celebration for a special wedding anniversary of David & Anne.
It has been lovely being Facebook friends with Jan and sharing her & Graeme's travels throughout Europe, something Richard & Catherine also enjoy. They are so glad Graeme and Jan enjoyed a last special family holiday together.
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you Jan and your family as you go forward in life.
