We are very sad to announce the unexpected death of Francis Bassett over the weekend.

Francis was a valued, very long-standing team member who had worked within the NCI organisations for nearly 40 years. Francis worked in a number of teams in his long and loyal service, including See Houses, Pastoral, Clergy Payments, Estates Department, Bishoprics, General Synod Office and most recently the Council for Christian Unity. He has also been part of the staff teams that have supported various committees, advised Bishops, and contributed to the work of each department he was involved with.

Many of us also knew Francis as a wonderfully talented musician who was involved in a very wide range of musical activities. He conducted the Deansbank Singers at Church House and was the Organist, as well as the Deanery Synod Representative, at St Barnabas Church, Manor Park. He had previously held positions on the PCC, as a Parish Representative, and worked with various charities including Night Shelters for the homeless.

Prayers were said for him in the Sunday Service at St Barnabas yesterday as well as in early Monday prayers at Church House.

This will be a sad time for many people, particularly for those in his team and those who have worked with him over the years.

The Deansbank Singers are due to perform at St Matthew’s Church on Thursday 23 November at 1pm, just around the corner from Church House on Great Peter Street. The concert will be dedicated to Francis in his memory.

William Nye
Secretary General of the Archbishops’ Council