Simon Barrington Ward

Born 1930. Brought up in Oxford with his mother. Former Chaplain (1956-60) and Dean (1963-1969) of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. He and his wife, Jean (also interviewed) lived for a while within a few hundred metres of Kettle’s Yard. He first encountered Jim Ede as a chaplain. He helped Jim through his confirmation into the Church of England. In his interview, he describes how Jim redesigned the college chapel – out with the Victorian altar and in with white walls (it has since returned to a Victorian decoration). He also discusses the influence of artist and poet David Jones on Jim’s religious beliefs. At the time of interview Simon had retired as Bishop of Coventry. He and Jean live in Cambridge.