AROUND1,000 mourners packed Newport Cathedral and an Abergavenny church yesterday to bid farewell to Dean of Monmouth and Newport, the Very Reverend Jeremy Winston.

Around 700 people were at the Requiem Eucharist in Newport Cathedral to pay their respects to one of the most senior clergymen in Wales, who died on November 21, aged 57.

A further 300 people gathered in St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, where Father Jeremy was vicar for 18 years, to listen to a live broadcast of the service.

Fr Jeremy, also Dean of Newport Cathedral, died just two months after being installed as Dean of Monmouth, on the day he was due to start treatment for a brain tumour.

Cathedral bells rang out across the city prior to the afternoon service and it was standing room only as approximately 150 people packed into the vestibule more than half an hour before it began.

Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies, addressing the congregation, described Fr Jeremy as an outstanding individual in so many ways.

He said: “Jeremy was, and this list is not exhaustive, unfailingly courteous, visionary, profound, inspirational, wise, multi-talented, cultured, hard-working and an intelligent leader who could and did both move and motivate others.”

He also spoke of Fr Jeremy’s sense of humour and his love of laughter.

The two-and-a-half hour service, led by Bishop of Monmouth Dominic Walker, included hymns, readings and a communion, where all were invited to receive the Sacrament or a blessing.

Cathedral organist Christopher Barton wrote a special choral piece for the service called The Souls of the Righteous which was dedicated to Fr Jeremy.

At the end of the service, more than 120 members of the clergy lined the cathedral path before the coffin was carried to a hearse.

Fr Jeremy’s body was then taken to Abergavenny to lie in St Mary’s Priory overnight before a private burial today.

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Fr Jeremy will be held at St Mary’s Priory Church on January 21 at 11.30am. Books of condolence are at St Mary’s Priory Church and Newport Cathedral.

Tributes can also be made online at churchinwales.org.uk/tribute

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Dean was an inspiration

THE turnout said so much. More than 1,000 mourners packed Newport Cathedral and St Mary’s Priory Church in Abergavenny yesterday to be part of the funeral for the Dean of Newport Jeremy Winston.

The Very Reverend Jeremy Winston died last Monday aged just 57 on the eve of a course of treatment for a brain tumour.

He had only recently been installed as Dean of Newport Cathedral after serving 18 years as a popular and devoted vicar in Abergavenny, But there is no doubt that in the short time he was in the post he had already made an impression.

At yesterday’s packed service he was described warmly as a man who was an inspiration, wise and cultured.

He had great drive and plans for the future of the cathedral with many welcoming his appointment.

But to the many people who knew him well he was also courteous, cultured and with a great sense of fun and humour.

As yesterday’s service showed he had built up a great many friends and supporters from both within and without the church. We send our condolences to his family and friends.