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I have just found this in the local newspaper on line.
I knew this man, I have spoken to him many a time on different issues when I was involved in Community forums linked to our local council.
What a very sad thing to happen and so far from home too. He had not long moved to the coast for his 'retirement'
May he rest in peace.
Hereward Cooke dies at climate conference
DAN GRIMMER
16 December 2009 12:59
Hereward Cooke, a hugely popular Norwich priest and former leader of Norwich City Council's Liberal Democrat group, has died while at the Copenhagen climate change conference.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, announced with great regret the unexpected and sudden death of the Revd Canon Cooke.
He died in his sleep at the age of 70 yesterday while in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Canon Cooke came to Norwich in 1989 as Diocesan Industrial Missioner and as Team Vicar in the parish of St Peter Parmentergate with St John, Timberhill.
In 1993 he became senior industrial chaplain and rural dean of Norwich East.
Over a period of 15 years, Hereward acted as chaplain to a number of companies including Eastern Counties Newspapers (now Archant), Colman's, Norwich Union (now Aviva), Anglia Television and Marks and Spencer.
He became a trustee of the Norwich Unemployment Network and the Redundancy Advice Network.
In 1997 he was made an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. His other roles included Assistant Priest of St Peter Mancroft and Priest-in-Charge of St Stephen's, Norwich.
In 2000, Hereward became involved in local politics as city councillor for the Lakenham ward and went on to be leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the city council.
He retired in 2008 and in 2009 he moved with his wife, Diana, to Blakeney where he continued to minister and took up the role of diocesan environmental officer.
It was in this capacity that he was in Copenhagen at the time of his death. He was with a team of 25 campaigners for a 150 mile fundraising cycle ride on behalf of Christian Aid.
He is survived by Diana, and their son, Arthur, and daughter, Frances.
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This was in the paper earlier this month, I don't know if he did the ride and if so, maybe it was too much for him.
Norwich priest's charity bike ride to climate summit- 07/12/2009 07:00:00
Age is set to prove no barrier to keeping fit as a 70-year-old retired Norwich priest cycles to Copenhagen in aid of charity. Canon Hereward Cooke, former priest-in-charge of St Stephen's Church in Norwich and industrial chaplain, will join a team of 25 other campaigners for the 150 mile fundraising trip to the climate change talks on Wednesday.
What a loss to his family and friends, and to the community too
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What a terrible shock for his wife. May he rest in peace.
Leni
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He was such a nice chap and did a lot for so many people. I can't imagine how his family must be feeling, to send him off on a charity bike ride and then to get this news. The only good thing must be that he was feeling well enough (I assume) to do the ride and be among likeminded people, and hopefully he didn't suffer any pain before he slept, forever.
Lizx
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Must say, it sounds like a nice way to go for him, if not for the family. R I P
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Definitely sounds a good way to go, he had said what a great day he had enjoyed, went to bed and didn't wake up.
Just such a dreadful shock for his family. I hope he managed to call them to tell them he was enjoying his visit before he went to sleep.
Lizx
Tributes have been paid to Hereward Cooke, a much-loved priest in the city and former deputy leader of Norwich City Council, who died suddenly after cycling to the Copenhagen climate conference.
The Bishop of Norwich and political leaders led the praise for the 70-year-old, who died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
He had cycled 150 miles across Denmark to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, raising money for charity and lending his support for action to be taken to combat global warming.
His sudden death shocked people across Norwich, where the Revd Canon Cooke was hugely well-known from his work with the church and as a Norwich City councillor.
On the day before his death Canon Cooke had spent the day exploring Copenhagen and just days before had managed to get a place in the city's cathedral to hear Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, preach.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, said: “Hereward Cooke was widely loved and appreciated, as a pastoral priest, an industrial chaplain, a Norwich City Councillor and, most recently as our diocesan environmental officer.
“It was in that capacity that he was at the Copenhagen Conference and entirely typical that he cycled there. Hereward had a zest for life and was always positive about the potential of his fellow men and women.
Canon Hereward Cooke cycled to Copenhagen to coincide with the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
“He lived life in the fullness which God promises. We will miss him badly, and our prayers are with Diana and their family.”
Canon Cooke arrived in Norwich in 1989 as Diocesan Industrial Missioner and as team vicar in the parish of St Peter Parmentergate with St John, Timberhill, and he became senior industrial chaplain and rural dean of Norwich East in 1993.
Over a period of 15 years, he acted as chaplain to a number of companies, including Eastern Counties Newspapers (now Archant), Colman's, Norwich Union (now Aviva), Anglia Television and Marks and Spencer.
In 1997 he was made an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. His other roles included assistant priest of St Peter Mancroft and priest-in-charge of St Stephen's, Norwich.
In 2000, he became involved in politics as city councillor for the Lakenham ward, went on to be deputy leader of the council when the Lib Dems were in power and then leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on the city council, before he stepped down last year.
Earlier this year he moved from his home in Bracondale, Norwich, with his wife, Diana, to Blakeney where he continued to minister and took up the role of diocesan environmental officer.
It was in this capacity that he was in Copenhagen at the time of his death, with a team of 25 campaigners for a 150 mile fundraising cycle ride on behalf of Christian Aid.
Canon Hereward Cooke leads a service of remembrance in 2007 for the citizens and service personnel who lost their lives in air raids on Norwich during WW2 at the Remembrance Garden, Earlham Cemetery.
Canon Geoff Daintree, from Christian Aid, met Canon Cooke when they departed from Stansted a week ago for the cycle ride and stayed with him at the Danhotel in Copenhagen.
He said: “During the ride he was the happiest man you can imagine. He was so open and he was making friends with everyone. He was passionate about climate change and it was something he really wanted to do.
“On the day before he died he said to me he was going out to buy a ticket so he could use the metro and the buses to explore Copenhagen, and that's exactly what he did.
“He went off on his own and he got back at about midnight. We watched a film about the cycle ride and he was laughing about that. He went up to bed and said he had just had a great day.
“It was the next morning we found he had died. The group's thoughts are with Diana, who we'd only met briefly when we set off from Stansted.”
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Canon Cooke's former political colleagues were shocked at his sudden death and Brian Watkins, who succeeded him as Lib Dem leader, headed up those praising his contribution to Norwich.
Mr Watkins said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about Hereward's untimely death. That he died after completing his cycle ride to Copenhagen, to raise money for Christian Aid, is particularly poignant.
Hereward Cooke in Sandy Lane in Lakenham, highlighting the anti- social behaviour taking place in the area in 2006.
“He was a true servant to the people, who gave of his time selflessly and generously. He had a great and warm heart, and always recognised the best in people.
“A tireless campaigner and champion of worthy causes, Hereward made a real difference to thousands of people. There will be so many that are indebted to him for his help, guidance and encouragement.
“Hereward made an immense contribution to the city of Norwich. I know the huge esteem and respect with which he has held by friends and political opponents alike.
“He was a man of great principle and integrity, and the community of Norwich and Norfolk will be poorer for his passing. At this difficult time, my thoughts are with his wife Diana and their family.”
Canon Cooke's political opponents at City Hall joined the tributes, hailing him for his integrity, his decency and for championing the people of Norwich.
Steve Morphew, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “He was a thoroughly decent man whose heart was in the right place. He was always on the side of the city and he will leave a big gap.”
Adrian Ramsay, former leader of the Green group at City Hall, said: “I have always had the highest respect for Hereward and enjoyed working with him as a fellow councillor. He was a man of integrity who could bring people together and carry the respect of politicians from all parties.”
Hereward Cooke at St Mary Magdalen in Silver Road, Norwich, during the Norfolk Churches Trust bike ride in 2006.
Antony Little, leader of the Conservative group, said: “He was a great champion for the people of Lakenham and a great servant to the city council and the people of Norwich as a whole.”
Norman Lamb, Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk, said: “It's a very sad loss. He was a remarkable individual who took the view that public service came first and he dedicated himself to that.”
Adrian Jeakings, chief executive of Archant, the publishers of the Evening News and EDP, said: “Hereward worked with us for a number of years and was often seen around Prospect House or in the canteen chatting to staff. He was very well liked and was respected by everyone that knew him.
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