Hugh Williamson writes:

Dr Jane Clements notes that Bishop Richard Harries (Gazette, 7 May) “never hesitated to support controversial causes” (Gazette, 22 May). My father, Canon Tony Williamson, was such a cause. In 1989, Bishop Harries, then Bishop of Oxford, appointed Tony as Director of Education for his Diocese, even though Tony had spent the previous 30 years as a worker priest and labourer in a car factory, and as a local politician in Oxford. A few years ago, Bishop Harries invited Tony and myself for tea in the House of Lords. Tony admitted that at the time of the job interview he had little knowledge of church schools. “It was an unusual appointment because (you) had not had any experience in the field at all!” Bishop Harries replied. “I must have approved it and chaired the panel. (You) had a track record of being able to organize things and this was a job that needed structure; people felt (you) were a quick learner”.

Canon John Rankin adds:

I first met Bishop Richard over 40 years ago when he was Dean of King’s College, London. I invited him to speak to the Theological Society at Clifton College in Bristol, and he stayed overnight with us. Shortly after that he became Bishop of Oxford, and about that time I moved to be an incumbent in the Oxford diocese. At Bishop Richard’s consecration, the late Canon Eric James preached, using the words of E. M. Forster – “Only connect” – as his text. These were words that Bishop Richard strongly adhered to; his whole ministry was bound by the wish to connect and communicate. He was a master of the spoken word. Another great gift was his remarkable memory. At diocesan conferences, where the clergy numbered 400, he knew the names of all who spoke from the floor. Similarly, when you left a service at the cathedral he knew you by name. He was a remarkably gifted man in the way he fulfilled his different roles as priest, bishop and peer of the realm.

The Revd Paula Griffiths writes:

As the Secretary of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England from 2002 to 2007, I worked closely with Dame Averil Cameron (Gazette 22 May) during much of her time as its Chair. She was very conscious of the importance of its work and the breadth of its statutory remit, to balance the care and conservation of these historic and architecturally important buildings with the role of the cathedral as the seat of the bishop and a centre of worship and mission. Over those years we considered a wide range of projects: from new lighting schemes, new sound systems, building repair and conservation schemes, conservation and new developments in cathedral precincts to the initial stages of the conservation and repair of the Great East Window at York Minster, the largest stained-glass window in the country. At all times we were ably assisted by the wide range of expert opinion within the membership.

Averil as Chair was unfailingly conscientious in ensuring that all the different factors involved in each proposal were fully assessed and balanced. and combined this both with respect for each cathedral’s own context, mission and aspirations, and respect for its clergy and people. She had a genuine kindness behind what could appear as a shy exterior, and a determination to reach the right and fair result. She was supportive of my colleagues in the Secretariat and once generously invited us to dine at High Table at Keble and stay overnight. Our visit took place on a beautiful May evening, and we appreciated both the warmth of her welcome and her pride in the College.