The Church of England in Norfolk and North-East Suffolk
Press Release
TO: LOCAL MEDIA
FROM: Jan McFarlane on Thursday 15 May 2008

London Memorial Service for former Dean of Norwich
Former Dean of Norwich, The Very Revd Alan Webster, who died last September, is to be remembered at a special memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Sunday 18th May at 3.15pm.

Alan Webster was Dean of Norwich from 1970 to 1978 when he moved to London to become Dean of St Paul’s. He served there until his retirement in 1988 when he moved back to Norfolk until his death in September last year. The Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s will be led by the Dean, the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles. Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be represented by the Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, Clerk of the Closet and Head of HM College of Chaplains. The Very Revd Dr John Moses, former Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral will represent HRH Prince of Wales.Alan Webster was ordained in 1942 and served in the Dioceses of Sheffield, Ely and Durham before his appointment as Warden of Lincoln Theological College in 1959. He was made Dean of Norwich in 1970 where he ministered for 8 years and was responsible for the foundation of the Norwich night Shelter in 1973.  He was made Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1988. He and his wife, Margaret, were leading advocates of the ordination of women to the priesthood. His widow, Margaret Webster and his two sons and two daughters and their families will be attending the service.