Tim Pride

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Tim Pride, a former choral scholar who studied German and French at St John’s College from 1982-85. Tim died at home during the night Sunday-Monday (the cause was as far as we know unrelated to Covid-19).

Tim was a Lay Clerk at Winchester Cathedral. The Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle, remarked:

“Tim’s contribution to the life of our community is immeasurable.  Tim sang in the choir from 1985-2020, in which time he was also the librarian and chorister master.  He was greatly talented and valued by us all both as a colleague, and as a friend.  Tim was on the Board of the Winchester Festival and a manager of Kingsgate Wine and Provisions, and therefore known to generations of boys from the College as well as the neighbourhood. There, as everywhere, Tim was unfailingly kind, with time and warm attention for everyone he met.”

David Hill, who was Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, offered the following tribute:

“Tim was one of the most courteous, caring and able people anyone could come across. Nothing was too much trouble: helping others ahead of himself was a hallmark of his passion to serve the community. Combine that level of ‘serving’ alongside his sensitivity, laser sharp wit, intelligence and ability to be gifted in so many things, he was a true polymath. Whilst I was Director of Music at Winchester (1988-2002), he was a lay-clerk as well as choir librarian. He led the re-organisation of the music library and was brilliant in his management of that critical aspect of the choir’s day-to-day running. He was never late to rehearsals and gave 100% at all times as a lay-clerk. He was a paragon of excellence in all he did and a model for others to follow. His smile, greeting and engagement in immediate conversation whenever you met made you feel instantly better. This warmth included an ability to listen, counsel and help whoever and whenever: I appreciated that on a number of occasions. He was a very special man and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Tim, R.I.P.”

Winchester Cathedral will be making arrangements to mark Tim’s life as soon as they are able to do so.