Revd Canon Norman Harman Woods BD AKC

We are sad to announce the death of Revd. Canon Norman Harman Woods BD AKC He passed away on 8 May 2024, at the age of 88.

Early influences

Norman came from Wallasey, where he attended the grammar school. He always maintained an interest and family connection with all things Liverpool and Lancashire. Before starting his studies at King’s, he completed National Service in the Royal Artillery and worked for Unilever for two years, in London. Here he came into contact with the Reverend Tubby Clayton and the work of Toc H, an international Christian movement. The story of Poperinge moved Norman to sense a call to ministry in the church. This story revolves around the British soldiers during World War I seeking respite on the Western Front. Located in Belgium, near the front lines, Poperinge provided a relatively safe haven where soldiers could rest and enjoy brief reprieves from trench warfare.

A King's journey

In 1959, he began at King’s in the Theology Faculty on the Strand Campus. The faculty was numbered over 270 in those days. Norman vigorously joined in with the College activities and was scrum half on the rugby field. He completed the combined course, Bachelor of Divinity and Associate of King’s College in 1962. Then, with 50 others, he moved to St Boniface College in Warminster for a year of pastoral studies and preparation for Ordination.

A life of service

Norman was ordained in St Paul’s Cathedral. He then went on to become a Deacon in 1963 and a Priest in 1964 where he served in the parish of All Saints Poplar in London’s East End. Here he met and married Patsy in 1965. In 1968 they moved to the Portsmouth Diocese, to a new church called St Alban’s, on a council housing estate in West Leigh, Havant. In 1976 they moved to the parish of St Leonard’s, Hythe on the Kent coast, where they lived and raised their family for 25 years. During this time Norman’s energy was channelled into all aspects of parish life. His loving and infectious personality transformed all he did, from worship on Sunday mornings to baptisms, weddings and funerals. Not to mention his leadership in youth work, helping refugees from Vietnam and elsewhere and also taking groups to Taize and the Holy Land.

In 1991 he was appointed Honorary Canon of Canterbury, and on retirement in 2001, Honorary Canon Emeritus. He was also delighted to act as an Assistant Chaplain at The King’s School Canterbury from 2001-8. He made strong contact with the Palestinian people, and with Patsy, made regular visitors to the West Bank. Norman supported the international Cursillo movement, leading their weekends with his prayerful presence, to encourage those attending to share their faith in daily living. Right up to the end, Norman was taking Sunday services in some of the villages around Canterbury, where he and Patsy lived in retirement.

‘Kings59’

Towards the end of his life, Norman joined the ‘Kings59’ group, which meets on Zoom every first Thursday of the month to pray and chat together. ‘Kings59’ is a group of King’s alumni who started training for ordination at King’s in 1959 and have stayed in touch ever since. Four of us made it to Norman’s funeral. Thanks be to God!

At his funeral on 29 May in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, which was led by the Dean, the huge congregation of over 300 testified to Norman’s impact as a parish priest in the church of England. Bishop Richard Llewellin gave the address, family members gave warm tributes, and we sang five hymns and one Psalm. Norman’s wish was that his funeral be one of thanksgiving and praise to God - and so it was! Norman has been a supreme example of parish clergy trained at Kings to serve in the cities, towns and estates of England. 

We would like to thank John Willard for providing the information for this obituary.