David Banfield started life in the south-west and his life ended there following a distinguished career in the Church of England in a variety of different contexts.He trained for ministry at what was then the London College of Divinity. Following a curacy in Middleton (Dio. Manchester) he became Chaplain of Scargill House and subsequently Assistant Warden. There he met Rita who was on the community at Scargill and they married in 1967.
Following his time at Scargill David became Vicar of St Marys Addiscombe in what was then the Diocese of Canterbury and from there went to be Incumbent of Luton Parish Church in 1980. In 1990 he was appointed Rural Dean of Luton and later that year was appointed as Archdeacon of Bristol where he served until his retirement in 1998. He served on many national and diocesan committees where his excellent skills as a Chairman were utilized.
He will be remembered for his kindness, his wisdom and that great gift for those in senior office in the Church consistency. He was a man who rarely got rattled and a good many curates felt the benefit of his reliability, his wisdom and his and Ritas kindness. The Vicarage was always a place of generous hospitality and friendship.
Though frailer in recent years he kept going remarkably well and was regularly seen at the Cathedral. He died peacefully on 2nd October in Bristol Royal Infirmary following a short illness.
A Eucharist to celebrate Davids life and ministry will be held in Bristol Cathedral on Tuesday October 21st at 2.45pm followed by the interment of his ashes in the cathedral garden.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
+Mike
Bishop of Bristol