Thanksgiving service for Bishop Peter

A poignant service of thanksgiving has been held at Norwich Cathedral to celebrate the life and ministry of The Rt Revd Peter Nott who was Bishop of Norwich from 1985 until 1999.

The Earl of Wessex joined the congregation of several hundred people who attended the Saturday afternoon service to remember Bishop Peter who died on August 20 last year aged 84.

Bishop Peter had officiated at the wedding of The Earl and Countess of Wessex on 19 June 1999 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

During Saturday’s service, The Dean of Norwich, The Very Revd Jane Hedges, said: “We have come here today to give thanks for the life of Bishop Peter Nott, formerly Bishop of this Diocese of Norwich.

“Peter was a faithful and gifted pastor in each aspect of his varied and lively ministry, sharing his gifts with the wider Church.

“As we give thanks for Peter’s life, we join our prayers with those of Betty and his family who shared in his ministry here and elsewhere.”

Bishop Peter, who was ordained in 1961, spent nine years as suffragan Bishop of Taunton before moving to Norwich, and he was one of the most highly regarded rural bishops of his time.

In 1996 he published his Diary and Sketchbook, following a year-long visitation of the Diocese of Norwich, inspired by the 900th anniversary of the completion of Norwich Cathedral.

He retired in 1999 and served as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Oxford.

At Saturday’s service of thanksgiving, Andrew Nott gave a reading of John 6. 35-40, David Gurney gave the Address, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, formerly Bishop of Oxford, gave the Sermon, and the Intercessions were led by the Venerable Clifford Offer, formerly Archdeacon of Norwich. .

Bishop John also prayed Bishop Peter’s Pilgrimage Prayer.

The boys and men of the Cathedral Choir sang at the service, under the direction of Cathedral Organist David Dunnett. The music included the hymns O Thou Who Camest From Above, Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace, and O Jesus, I Have Promised.