Margaret Holness writes:
NORMAN JACKSON, who died suddenly on 29 February, aged 68, at his home in the Isle of Wight, was one of only two Europeans to be awarded the Centenary Medal of Khartoum Cathedral, after his service, in the early 1990s, leading the Save the Children Fund (SCF) relief work in Sudan.
The medal recognised his contribution to peace in that country during a period of conflict. He had become a trusted friend of politicians, on both sides of the conflict, through both his church activities, and his professional work in Sudan, where SCF provided relief to both north and south. The Sudanese government similarly recognised his achievements, by presenting him with the Order of the Two Niles, First Class. Shortly after he returned to the UK, he was appointed MBE.
Joining the congregation at Khartoum Cathedral, on moving to Sudan, was a natural move for Norman, who had been associated with the Church of England and churches elsewhere since he was at schoolboy. After taking a degree in Commerce at Edinburgh University, he joined the British Bank of the Middle East (BBME), serving in the Gulf and the Middle East. Like most churchgoing BBME officers, he was invariably called on to look after the funds of the local Anglican congregation wherever he was stationed.
From the BBME, Norman moved to the Save the Children Fund, originally as Overseas Accountant, later as Director in the Sudan. He retired early in 1998, after developing diabetes. Settling in Raynes Park, he was appointed a JP, and became involved in charitable activities. The latter included helping found the Hope and Homes project in Khartoum, and involvement with St Michael’s special school in Ghana.
Another project — pursued entirely for his own entertainment — was helping to restore a steam railway in Picardy, Chemin de Fer de la Baie de la Somme. He bought shares in the railway, and sometimes, to his delight, travelled on the footplate. Another enthusiasm was cricket. He was a member of the MCC, often giving hospitality to fellow-followers of the Summer Game.
A traditional churchman, with a preference for what he called “Solemn High Mattins”, he worshipped first at the Chapel Royal, but, through personal contacts, came to know St John the Evangelist, Angell Town, Brixton, where the congregation was struggling and the then incumbent, who died in office, was seriously ill. The church building was in a state of disrepair and on English Heritage’s Register of Buildings at Risk. Norman rapidly became PCC secretary, and took charge of the church finances, eventually raising large amounts of money.
As his health worsened, Norman moved to Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight. There he joined the congregation at Holy Trinity, Ventnor, which he represented on the deanery synod. Diagnosed with cancer last autumn, he responded by taking a short but luxurious break in New York. After appearing to recover from a lung infection in February, he died unexpectedly. Because of the suddenness of his death, his funeral was delayed, taking place at St John’s, Angell Town, on 6 April. It was followed by a memorial service at Holy Trinity on 14 April.
Canon Martin Clark adds: I met Norman in 1998, when I became Vicar of St John’s, Angell Town. The first tasks were to build confidence in the demoralised congregation, and find a way forward for the church building, which was declining into ruin. In both these tasks Norman was enormously encouraging. His boundless optimism and gift for friendship encouraged visitors to become regular worshippers. He organised outings for the congregation, and was determined to bring the building back into full use.
His knowledge of financial matters was invaluable as we struggled to find the necessary funds. In the end, we raised just short of £1 million, and the church building was restored as an attractive place of worship, with a day nursery, a useful community resource, in the former church hall.
