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Death of the '999 chaplain'
14/ 8/2008
A CLERGYMAN known as the ‘999 chaplain’ for comforting thousands of grieving police officers and bereaved families has died, aged 91.
The Rev Arthur Connop became the country’s first-ever police chaplain in Britain and went on to become the longest-serving.
He devoted more than 40 years to consoling Stockport police and families affected by crime and personal tragedy and became the compassionate face that broke the news of a loved-one’s death to about 1,700 families across Stockport.
His daughter Daphne Harris paid tribute to a ‘well-loved and gifted’ man.
She said: "He was incredible – a one-off with a fund of one-liners and a natural gift for dealing with people.
"He saw such tragedy and sadness but he felt privileged to do it and never let it get him down."
The Methodist minister was adopted as chaplain to the Stockport police division after his first encounter ‘run-in’ with the police in December 1961.
He spotted a fracas outside Ye Olde Woolpack, on Stockport’s Brinksway, and in full ministerial dress jumped out of the car to help the police – by sitting on the man in the street.
As the officer called for back-up, Mr Connop was overheard telling the man, ‘Now listen. The police can’t hit you but I can.’ At that point the man gave up the struggle.
Mr Connop began his pastoral work in Stockport in 1963.
In the aftermath of the Stockport air crash in 1967, he spent two days comforting the survivors and bereaved families in hospital. His reward was an MBE.
Distraught parents also turned to him when two children died in the Cheadle Hulme rail crash in 1964.
The minister was chaplain for the ambulance service, fire brigade and former Stockport Infirmary as well as the police.
Retiring at the age of 86, he was made Chaplain Emeritus for the Stockport police division and received a lifetime achievement award from the late Chief Constable Michael Todd.
At the time, Mr Connop spoke of his love for his city.
He said: "I am full of admiration and affection for the people of Stockport, who have shown wonderful kindness and support for me, and for the remarkable courage they have shown in some of their darkest hours.
"I have seen some terrible tragedies in this town, but in the midst of it there’s also been some tremendous fun."
The great grandad, who was ordained in 1947, was still helping to conduct funerals three years before his death, at Stepping Hill Hospital on Tuesday [Aug 12].
Mr Connop was born in Dewsbury and, despite his passion for Stockport, remained a ‘true Yorkshire man’ throughout his life, daughter Daphne said.
He lived in Lancashire and Staffordshire before moving to Stockport to teach RE at Hillcrest Grammar School in the 1950s and 60s.
The minister was married to Alice for 67 years and the couple lived on Alstone Road, Heaton Chapel. He leaves a daughter, two grandchildren and a great grandson.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday 20 August at St George's Church, Buxton Road at 12pm. Donations should be made to the Police Benevolent Fund or the Stroke Assocation.
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