Tributes paid to former Dean of Southwell Minster who has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to former Dean of Southwell Minster, Very Revd David Leaning who died aged 79 on Tuesday July 28.
Very Rev David Leaning , former Dean of Southwell Minster.Very Rev David Leaning , former Dean of Southwell Minster.
Very Rev David Leaning , former Dean of Southwell Minster.

A former Bishop of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, worked with Rev Leaning, and described him as a man of prayer.

He said: “He was a counsellor and confidant to many laity and clergy and was much sought after as a mentor and spiritual director.

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“David was kind, generous and thoughtful and many people were recipients of prayer cards and bookmarks on the eve of a new venture or significant occasion in their lives.”

Rev Leaning was the inspiration behind major developments at the Minster, such as the original development of the refectory and shop in its present building, the education centre, and the unveiling of the new Great West Window.

Educated at Keble College, Oxford, he was ordained in 1961. He was a curate in Gainsborough then held incumbencies in Warsop and Kington before being appointed Archdeacon of Newark. In 1991 he became Provost of Southwell and, when the title changed on 19th March, 2000, Dean of Southwell until 2006.

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