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Recollections

by
29 August 2025

Canon Owen Spencer-Thomas writes:

Bishop Tony Russell (Obituary, 22 August) was a fine spiritual leader and led our diocese with love and compassion. He was appointed to Ely because of his agricultural background. He was, indeed, a great friend to the rural community and spoke with authority. His concern for rural communities extended to farm workers as well as farmers. The day before he started training at Cuddesdon, he drove his father’s combine harvester to gather the last of the grain harvest for that year. During his ten years as our diocesan bishop, I had the privilege of being his director of communications and press officer. I remember there was always a pair of green wellies standing on the ready at the entrance to Bishop’s House. He will be greatly missed.

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