The death has occurred of Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson, honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Carlisle, former bishop of Exeter and Willesden, of Low Broomrigg, Warcop, aged 95.
His funeral was held on Friday May 30, at St Theobald’s, Great Musgrave, by the River Eden, where he married Joy Taylor, who had grown up in Cumbria, in 1954.
His mother-in-law Dr Frances Taylor, school doctor and assistant medical officer for North Westmorland from 1948 to 1958, who bought the site of Low Broomrigg in the 1950s, is buried in the churchyard, near the graves of his brother-in-law Julian Taylor, sister-in-law Jackie Taylor and other family members.
Hewlett was born in Hove, Sussex, in 1929, while his father, an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, was away on duty in Egypt. The family lived in Windsor, Weymouth and, at the outbreak of the Second World War, moved to Oxford, where he attended Christ Church Cathedral School.
Aged 13, he went to Aldenham School, where he became head boy.
After National Service in Nigeria, he read history at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, but changed to theology after deciding to be ordained, under the influence of the college chaplain, Tony Tremlett. He completed theological training at Cuddesdon College, Oxford, in 1954 — the year he married Joy Taylor, after she graduated in history at Oxford.
Then followed a curacy at St Matthew’s, Northampton, and the birth of two children. He was vicar of St Augustine’s Wisbech, from 1959 to 1966, where two more babies were born, and then of St Saviour’s, Folkestone, from 1966-74. In 1974 he became Bishop of Willesden — one of the five areas comprising the diocese of London. From 1985 to 1999 he was bishop of Exeter.
He visited Cumbria for a summer holiday every year from the time of his engagement until his retirement in 1999. He and Joy’s honeymoon was spent at the Scale Hill Hotel, Loweswater, and he enjoyed walking the fells with family members and friends.
As an honorary assistant bishop in the diocese of Carlisle from 1999, he not only conducted services regularly in churches around Great Musgrave and Warcop, but also took confirmation services as far afield as Barrow-in-Furness and Hawkshead and participated in diocesan clergy meetings.
He took part in a ministry review scheme around 2005, reflecting his commitment to pastoral care, as well as attending meetings of retired clergy. It was said that, although apparently being asleep in the monthly meeting of clergy, he often surprised others present by making pertinent and wise comments.
His commitment to the Church of England in rural as well as urban settings was reflected in his local ministry. He and Joy started the blessing of the lambs services at Great Musgrave, which still continue and are commemorated in a painting by Vivienne Willcock, now in St Theobald’s Church.
He was active in parish life, including a monthly meditation and discussion group in Kirkby Stephen. They hosted social events, quiet garden days and study groups for many years and offered pastoral support to many, both locally and further afield.
In 2004, Hewlett and Joy were involved in buying the Musgrave Church field and setting up a trust to look after it. The field has been used as a community resource for numerous school trips, demonstrations of making building lime and other activities. He was treasurer of St Theobald’s Parochial Church Council, where Joy was churchwarden.
In retirement, he developed his lifelong interest in history by sorting out family papers and writing memoirs for his children and grandchildren. His interests were reading, fell walking, gardening and music.
In August 2024, he and Joy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a service of thanksgiving in St Theobald’s and a tea in Musgrave village institute, in anticipation of the actual date, September 29.
Hewlett is survived by Joy, four children, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, many of whom have been visiting Cumbria their whole lives.
His family thanked his carers, Paula Armstrong and Beth Lofthouse, who enabled him to stay at home until shortly before his death, all the medical and nursing staff who provided care and the church communities in the Heart of Eden benefice, who continue to provide a welcoming environment to Joy and other family members.
The funeral service was conducted by Bishop James Bell, honorary assistant bishop in the diocese of Carlisle, with a reflection and prayers by Bishop Tom Butler, former bishop of Southwark, who had been a colleague at parish and diocesan level for much of his life.
Walkers Funeral Directors, Appleby, had charge of arrangements.
