The Revd Canon Trevor Page obituary

Trevor Page was a much-loved Anglican Chaplain to the University of Sheffield from 1969 to 1974. He was a founder member of the Sheffield Chaplaincy for Higher Education (SCHE) formed in 1972, a time when church unity saw enthusiastic support as witnessed by the creation of the United Reformed Church (URC) from the Congregationalists and Presbyterians. This ecumenical team ministry served both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Polytechnic (now Hallam University). The initial team included five chaplains representing Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists and the URC. It enabled a more creative working relationship between the chaplains and a more coherent service to those in Higher Education in Sheffield. Their collaboration issued in imaginative, intelligent and inspiring acts of worship and related events.

As Anglican Chaplain, Trevor put on ambitious programmes of evening sermons at St George’s Church, Portobello, given by local and national figures. These evenings offered an opportunity to listen to, think about, challenge and be challenged by theological issues in an open and relaxed way, not requiring assent to any set of religious propositions but rather offering a freedom of thought. He worked from the Anglican Chaplaincy Centre at 300 Western Bank, supporting both students and staff, and a variety of floating, homeless visitors who were offered a cup of tea and some company. He was a regular in the SCR bar and the Students’ Union; his leaving party in 1974 filled the top floor of the Union.

Trevor Page served as a curate at Holy Trinity, Millhouses before becoming Chaplain to Sheffield University. From there he became vicar of a council estate parish in Doncaster, then Diocesan Director of Ordinands and In-Service Training whilst a Residentiary Canon at Sheffield Cathedral and finally served as Rector of Bradfield. He treasured all his flock for what they were.

Away from parish church and cathedral, Trevor found great strength in the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, where he served on the Council of the Theological College.

Another side of his life, remarked on by Bishop Richard Blackburn in his funeral address about Trevor, was as raconteur, mimic and thespian, who in retirement (as “Trev the Rev”) was a stand-up comedian for hundreds of voluntary associations and social clubs, as well as being the after-dinner speaker at the occasional Cutlers’ Feast.

Trevor had relatively humble roots in Eastbourne, in post-war austerity, but his grammar school and degree at Durham University, followed by ordination training at Westcott House, Cambridge and a Part III Cambridge BA in ‘Church and Society’, lifted his intellect and honed his impishness. Within him was also a loving family man whose gifted professional ministry was as central to his own being as was his affection for the Book of Common Prayer.

Whilst Chaplain at Sheffield University he met and subsequently married Deborah Tomkins. They had two daughters, Catherine and Barbara. They and Deborah and their five grandchildren survive him.

Though Trevor Page endured both a nasty mid-career cancer and long-term Motor Neuron Disease (MND) most stoically he never lost his intellect, great gift with words or sense of deep joy. He was proud of his family and greatly valued his personal friendship with so many - including that great comedian Ken Dodd. Trevor Page’s funeral – a Requiem Holy Communion - was splendidly celebrated at St John’s Church Ranmoor, Sheffield, on 1st December 2025.