2008: Norwich will soon be missing the quiet yet dignified presence of a man with many talents. Canon Hereward Cooke, a priest, cyclist, former council leader, industrial chaplain and friend to many, retires to the North Norfolk coast with his wife Diana at the end of July.

 

In 1989, Hereward, then a priest in London, caught the eye of Hugh Schofield,Norwich Union’s Chief Executive, who was impressed with his industrial chaplaincy work. Invited to Norwich, Hereward spent the next 15 years building up a portfolio of companies across the county served by a practice of chaplains.

 

Eastern Counties Newspapers (now Archant) were the first company with its print works and legion of journalists to welcome Hereward. The next came Colman’s, famous for mustard and its historic industrial site, then boasting 1,500 staff and a legacy of care for staff and training, reflecting Christian principles grounded in the Quaker movement.

 

Norwich Union’s Head Office involvement was, as Hereward says: “Where I met hundreds of staff, usually around the lunch table. The Christian Fellowship was a crucial ministry there with prayer and study.”

 

Nearby, his ministry to Marks & Spencer under the pressures of retail, caused Hereward to reflect upon an incident: “A staff member was tragically murdered and the staff asked me to hold a service on the shop floor before work in memory.

 

“We were always there and available. The church recognizes the value of daily work, and the ecumenical team is concerned about the processes of both employment and unemployment.” 

 

The latter led to trusteeship of the Norwich Unemployment Network and involvement with the Redundancy Advice network.

 

The year 2000 and his disappointment at Norwich’s Millennium celebrations, caused Hereward take an active role in politics as the Liberal Councillor for the Lakenham Ward. He helped spearhead the “Norwich belongs to all of us” campaign, reflecting the Christian principles of co-operation, fellowship with practical help and to encourage care for each other and the city.

 

During the next eight years, he spent four as Deputy Leader of the Council with responsibility for housing. 

 

Access to the new Chapelfield Shopping Mall included the grounds of St Stephens Church, Rampant Horse Street, where Hereward became Priest-In-Charge. With 30,000 people passing by weekly, he enthused: “We made the most of this position and have opened our doors with a café, exhibitions, concerts, healing services and other ways of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

 

While sad to move on Hereward remains optimistic: “We have a great ministry team here in this grade one listed building; an industrial mission in the very good hands of Rev Chris Warner and with lots of wonderful memories I pray that God will continue to bless the City in many ways.” 

 

Hereward and Diana will be moving to Blakeney, where Diana’s ministry, involving silence and reflection, influenced in part by Julian of Norwich and Rev Nick Vesey, will continue.