A FORMER Dean of Winchester, Trevor Beeson, has died, aged 97.

The Very Rev Trevor Beeson, was the senior churchman in the cathedral from 1987 to 1996. He was in charge in a turbulent era, which included chronic financial problems and the row over women priests.

Mr Beeson tackled the financial crisis with measures including a £7 million fundraising appeal and the Visitor Centre, which opened in 1993. On women priests he was much in favour.

For much of his time as Dean the cathedral was swathed in scaffolding as workmen conserved and restored the medieval church.

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Before coming to Winchester he was chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons at Westminster, giving him a ringside seat on the era of Margaret Thatcher.

As well the priesthood Mr Beeson was a notable diarist and obituarist for national newspapers, publishing a number of highly-regarded books, including A Dean's Diary: Winchester 1987-1996.

He served in the RAF in World War Two and was ordained in 1951.

Following his retirement he was appointed OBE in the 1997 New Year Honours "for services to the Church of England, particularly as Dean of Winchester Cathedral" and in 1999 awarded an honorary degree by Southampton University.

On retirement he moved away from Winchester, as per tradition, settling in Romsey before latterly spending much of his time in Winchester.

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For many years he carried on preaching at churches in the Romsey area including Braishfield.

At a book launch of Round the Church in 50 Years: A Personal Journey in 2007 he told the Chronicle that he went into the priesthood after World War Two as part of a generation wanting to make the world a better place, and determined to change the Church of England too. "So I started on the journey as a reformer and I remain a reformer; at 81 (years old) it is a bit late to change."

In March 2020, aged 94, he criticised the Government decision to suspend church services during the first Covid lockdown.

The cathedral has paid tribute. The Very Rev Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, said on its website: “Trevor was Dean of Winchester 1987–95 and outlived his successors, Michael Till and James Atwell. Trevor was a great speaker and writer, the author of many books and much loved. He has lived an active life into his 90s and it’s hard to believe that he is no longer with us.”

The Rev Canon Dr Roland Riem, Vice-Dean remembered: “When I first met Trevor I said to him, ‘I hear you write obituaries’. Instantly he replied, ‘Yes. Would you like me to write yours?’ Such was the wit of the man, again in evidence when he preached what he said would be his third ‘final sermon’ at Friends’ Evensong! Trevor retained a lively interest in the Cathedral, though he wisely left his successors to their own devices. His bronze bust can now be seen in the Paul Woodhouse Suite, one of the buildings he commissioned as Dean.”