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Tony GammageCF
Tributes to pioneer of social justice Tony Gammage

Tributes have been paid to Tony Gammage, a committed Christian who worked hard for the general cause of social justice, who died on June 17 whilst on a family cycling holiday.
 


Tony was founder of Living Wage Norwich and he displayed unrivalled dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to the cause of social justice. Tony helped establish the Living Wage agenda in Norwich and pushed hard for the eradication of in-work poverty. The work he undertook on a voluntary basis helped change the lives of many and gave working families brighter futures. He was the organiser of a social justice conference in Norwich in January this year.
 
Daniel Childerhouse, Chair of Living Wage Norwich said, “Although Tony and I only met a few years ago through our professional lives, I considered Tony a friend and I respected him enormously; I will be forever thankful for his insights, his dogged determination, and the advice and guidance he gave to me over the years.  He will be truly missed.”
 
With a training in science and maths, Tony was a keen participant in the meetings of Science and Faith in Norfolk, a Norwich-based group aiming to explore the interface between science and religious belief. Secretary Nick Brewin said, “After every presentation, Tony always had a thoughtful question up his sleeve.”

Nick continues, “As a retired schoolteacher, Tony was particularly aware that the church needs to “modernise” its teaching – both its theology and its ethics. It should try to remain relevant in the rapidly changing pluralistic society that we live in. He was always fascinated to learn about recent scientific advances that change our understanding of the nature of God’s creation – from the origin of the universe, to the evolution of life, to the place of humankind in the natural world. How, he wondered can we combine the reductionist principles of evidence-based scientific discovery with the more mystical interpretation of God’s presence and purposes in the world?”

“From the point of view of social responsibility and ethics, Tony was concerned to explore the implications of global population growth and the ever-increasing impact of modern technologies on the way that we live. Climate change and food security, digital technology and artificial intelligence, medical science and molecular genetics – these are just a few of the arenas in which Tony saw the need to re-interpret religious and biblical wisdom to provide a moral framework for social development in the twenty-first century and beyond.”

Tony was an active member of Cringleford Tennis Club. Club chair Chris Mitchell said, “This has come as an enormous shock to all and our thoughts are with his wife Helen and their family at this sad time."

"Tony has been an integral part of our club for so many years serving in different ways. He was a regular player at club nights, keenly participating last winter under the floodlights, and Saturday morning tennis. Tony was delighted last year when his wife Helen rejoined the club having recovered from injury. His organisational skills, smile and friendly demeanour will be greatly missed by the club.”

Please post your tributes to and memories of Tony below


Published: 24/06/2018


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