Obituary: The Right Rev John Trillo

GENEROUS as Vernon Sproxton is in his obituary of Bishop John Trillo (6 August), his memory serves him less than accurately, writes the Rev Dr Nicholas Cranfield. Trillo was consecrated a bishop in 1963, which was seven years before his friend Robert Runcie was made Bishop of St Albans, so that there can have been no invitation from the latter. Rather, Bishop Edward Jones, who was Runcie's predecessor at St Albans for nearly 20 years from 1950, would have well known Trillo while he was at Cheshunt.

With a mixture and bemusement and mock outrage Bishop Trillo would tell how as Bishop of Chelmsford he had been invited as a private guest on one occasion to Windsor Castle for a weekend. Come Sunday morning he had attended Divine Service at eight o'clock and had returned a few minutes late to the breakfast table. The Supreme Head of the Church of England gently reminded him that he was a guest and on holiday for the weekend: he was not expected to attend church as well]