THE Bishop of Monmouth has led the tributes being paid to The Very Rev'd Jeremy Winston - whose death was announced on Monday morning.

Father Jeremy, as he was affectionately known to his parishioners, had recently been appointed to the position of Dean of Newport Cathedral and died after a short illness.

The Rt Rev'd Dominic Walker said, "I am deeply saddened at the death of Father Jeremy Winston so soon after his installation as Dean of Newport Cathedral. 

"Jeremy was a devoted priest and a man of vision and inspiration. His death is a great loss to the cathedral and the diocese. 

"I give thanks to God for Jeremy and his friendship and ministry and offer my condolences to his family and his many friends who will feel deeply bereaved at their loss.

"Jeremy knew that he was seriously ill and faced the possibility of death with faith and confidence in the goodness of God. May he rest in peace."

Rev'd Ray Hayter, who has been priest-in-charge of the Cathedral during Fr Jeremy's illness, said, "In the short time Fr Jeremy had been at the cathedral he fired it with a fresh vision for the future as a centre for learning and hospitality in both the church and the civic communities."

Speaking on behalf of the congregation at St Mary's, Abergavenny, where Fr Jeremy had been Vicar for the last 18 years, churchwarden Sir Trefor Morris, a close friend of Fr Jeremy's, said that he had given 'so much' to Abergavenny, both to the church and to the local community.

"It is so sad as he had just been given a fantastic promotion to serve at Newport Cathedral. We are still getting over the shock of the news.

"He will surely be missed by everybody who knew him in Abergavenny and by all his new friends in Newport," said Sir Trefor

Fr Mark Soady, who will succeed Fr Jeremy as Vicar of Abergavenny told The Chronicle, "my thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Abergavenny and at the cathedral who are all feeling a deep sense of loss.

"Fr Jeremy was warm and hospitable and had the good of the town and city at the heart of his ministry."

Jeremy Winton was born into an old Monmouthshire family in 1954, and grew up in Griffithstown.

He initially trained as a teacher at Trinity College, Carmarthen but later attended theological college at St Stephen's House, Oxford, before being ordained in 1979.

He served as Curate in Basseleg before becoming Vicar of St Arvan's in 1983.

In 1993 he moved to become Vicar of St Mary's, Abergavenny, and in 2002 took on the wider responsibility of Area Dean for all the parishes in the Abergavenny area.

Under Canon Winston's leadership, the church developed close links with the town of Abergavenny and its wider community.

He was instrumental behind the restoration of St Mary's church and the development of the Priory Centre and the neighbouring Tithe Barn.

Peter Johns, clerk to Abergavenny Town council said that Rev'd Winston had been the mayor's chaplain on many occasions.

"This council held Father Jeremy in high regard, so much so that he was given a special community award in May to honour his services to this town.

"He had an exciting future as Dean of Newport, only for it to be dashed in this tragic way.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, a long-time friend of Rev'd Winston said, "Father Jeremy gave a huge amount to Abergavenny over 18 years, in a life dedicated to local people and the life of the Church.

"His passing is a huge loss which will be felt here and also in Newport where he only recently took up the role of Dean of Newport Cathedral. He was a very good friend who I will miss greatly."

The newly appointed Area Dean of Abergavenny, the Rev'd David Osborn added, "The clergy friends of Jeremy Winston are devastated by his tragic death.

"We were supported by Jeremy in a way that gave each of us personal support and encouragement beyond measure.

"His hospitality and friendship went beyond being another colleague: his knowledge of each parish and its incumbent meant that the advice and counsel he gave was valued and trusted.

"We felt that being Dean of the Cathedral in Newport was the perfect job for Jeremy: it would have utilised his wide ranging skills and experience of both people and ministry to bring much joy to many in Monmouthshire and the Diocese.

"Each of the churches in the Abergavenny Deanery will be saying special prayers and keeping a silence in memory of Fr Jeremy."

Rev'd Winston's funeral will take place at Newport Cathedral on Wednesday, November 30 at 1pm.

It is hoped that because of the renovation work being undertaken at the cathedral, limiting the numbers able to attend, that the service will be relayed to St Mary's Church in Abergavenny.

Rev'd Winston's coffin will then spend the night at St Mary's Church prior to a private internment at Llanfoist cemetery on December 1.

A memorial service will be held at St Mary's Church Abergavenny in January.

A book of condolencehas also been opened at St Mary's Church.

The family have requested family flowers only with donations being made to the continuing work of the Additional Curates Society, of which Father Jeremy was a former chairman.

Unmarried, Fr Jeremy was a beloved brother to Christopher, brother in law to Frances and uncle to Alexandra and Matthew.