News

After 42 years of ministering in the South of England, Nick Fennemore, the Cathedral chaplain, has announced he is to retire at the end of September. 

For the last 36 years, Canon Nick has served in the NHS, having combined this work with that of Cathedral Chaplain since 2017. Working as Chaplain across the various communities that together make up the Cathedral family, Canon Nick has been pivotal in offering pastoral care on behalf of the Dean and Chapter. As with all Cathedral clergy, he has led worship at the various Cathedral services.

After his ordination in St Albans Abbey in 1979, Canon Nick worked in parishes for seven years. In 1986 he became a hospital chaplain and served in the NHS in Carshalton, Oxford, Portsmouth and a hospice in Chichester. Nick is also head of chaplaincy, spiritual and pastoral care at the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. During his time in Oxford he was invited to become an honorary canon of Christ Church and is currently honorary chaplain to one of the London Livery Companies.

The Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle said, “Canon Nick has made a terrific contribution to life at Winchester Cathedral, in many ways. His care for us all during the time of Covid has been outstanding and I know how much this has meant to so many people. We will miss him greatly and wish him every happiness and fulfilment in retirement, which he richly deserves.”

Throughout his years of ministry, Canon Nick has developed different pastoral and theological interests which include medical ethics, teaching pastoral studies, developing liturgical services for families who have lost babies at or around the time of birth, death, dying, and bereavement studies. He has been an advisor on the ministry of healing to two diocesan bishops.

Reflecting on his role as Cathedral Chaplain, Nick Fennemore said, “There have been plenty of joys and a few challenges along the way. The greatest joy for me is to have been able to help people at such significant and difficult times in their lives. I will miss the companionship and the huge privilege of serving in such a wonderful place. I have had an opportunity to get to know Winchester very well and it has been an honour to work alongside the Dean and Chapter, and amongst the people in the community.”

The Cathedral will say farewell to Canon Nick on Sunday 19th September during the 11.00am Eucharist. 

If you would like to contribute towards a gift for Canon Nick, please send your donations, clearly marked in an envelope, to Sarah Williams at No 9, where there will also be a card to sign.