Rosalind Runcie
Encyclopedia
Angela Rosalind "Lindy" Runcie, Baroness Runcie (née Angela Rosalind Turner) is a formerly well-known classical pianist
and the widow of Robert Runcie
, Archbishop of Canterbury
.
. Her father served as the bursar
of Trinity Hall, Cambridge
.
Rosalind Runcie was educated at the Perse School
, Cambridge
and the Guildhall School of Music, London
.
, Archbishop of Canterbury was scheduled to retire in November. His successor was to be appointed by Harold Wilson
, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. But already in April Ladbroke's, a bookmaker
firm, had announced the booking of bets as to who the next Archbishop would be. Rosalind Runcie, whose husband was at the time Bishop of St Albans
and considered a likely candidate, was reported by Time magazine
to have disapproved of the entire process: "It's revolting to turn important church affairs into a horse race." The Archbishop appointed was Donald Coggan
, Archbishop of York
, whom Ladbroke's had considered a leading candidate.
The same year Robert Runcie was offered the position which Coggan had vacated, that of the Archbishop of York. Rosalind was reportedly set against moving from St Albans
, Hertfordshire
to York
, North Yorkshire
, resulting in her husband turning down the offer. Her husband was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1980. His acceptance of the position was reportedly delayed for weeks because Rosalind was opposed to moving to Canterbury
, Kent
.
Rosalind continued giving piano recitals in both the United Kingdom
and the United States
. According to an 1983 article of the Wrexham Evening Leader
, Rosalind Runcie had raised over £60,000 for charity
through her recitals. Lady Runcie is interested in gardening and redesigned the gardens at Lambeth Palace
(the London base of the Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1986.
During the 1980s, the Early Diagnostic Unit for breast cancer
of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
was threatened with closure. Rosalind Runcie and June Kenton, owner of the Rigby & Peller shop which has received a Royal Warrant
for custom-making the brassiere
s of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
, organized a petition for its continued existence, gathering thousands of signatures. Their petition was delivered to Norman Fowler
, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
(term 14 September 1981 - 13 June 1987) who withdrew the notice of closure.
In 1987, Rosalind was featured in articles of the Daily Star, a daily British
tabloid newspaper. She took legal actions against the publisher under the English defamation law
. The case reportedly concluded with a settlement in her favor. In 1988, Rosalind was named Honorary President of the Anglo-Armenian Association.
Lady Runcie now resides in St Albans
(in which city she had lived in the 1970s during her husband's time as Bishop of St Albans
) and teaches piano privately and at St Albans School
and St Albans High School for Girls
.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and the widow of Robert Runcie
Robert Runcie
Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
.
Family and early life
She was a daughter of J.W. Cecil Turner, a recipient of the Military CrossMilitary Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. Her father served as the bursar
Bursar
A bursar is a senior professional financial administrator in a school or university.Billing of student tuition accounts are the responsibility of the Office of the Bursar. This involves sending bills and making payment plans with the ultimate goal of getting the student accounts paid off...
of Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Trinity Hall is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the fifth-oldest college of the university, having been founded in 1350 by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich.- Foundation :...
.
Rosalind Runcie was educated at the Perse School
Perse School for Girls
The Stephen Perse Foundation is an independent, fee-paying day school situated near the centre of Cambridge, England. The Foundation is made up of four schools: The Stephen Perse Pre-Prep School, for boys and girls aged 3-7, Perse Girls Junior School,for girls aged 7-11, Perse Girls Senior School,...
, Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
and the Guildhall School of Music, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Marriage and children
She was married to Robert Runcie from 5 September 1957 until his death. They have two children:- James RuncieJames RuncieThe Hon. James Runcie is a British novelist, documentary film-maker, television producer, theatre director, and Artistic Director of the Bath Literature Festival.- Early life :...
(born 1959). Married Marilyn Elsie ImrieMarilyn ImrieMarilyn Elsie Imrie is a Scottish radio drama director and producer.Marilyn Imrie has worked in drama and broadcasting in Scotland and England for over thirty years as a producer and director, for BBC, ITV and the independent companies Absolutely, Bona Broadcasting, CBL, CIM, Kindle and Sweet Talk...
. They are parents of Charlotte Susan Elizabeth Runcie. - Rebecca Runcie (born 1962). Married T.M. Christopher Tabor. They are parents of Matthew Alexander Tabor and Edward Michael Runcie Tabor.
Activities in later life
In 1974, Michael RamseyMichael Ramsey
Arthur Michael Ramsey, Baron Ramsey of Canterbury PC was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was appointed on 31 May 1961 and was in office from June 1961 to 1974.-Career:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury was scheduled to retire in November. His successor was to be appointed by Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. But already in April Ladbroke's, a bookmaker
Bookmaker
A bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.- Range of events :...
firm, had announced the booking of bets as to who the next Archbishop would be. Rosalind Runcie, whose husband was at the time Bishop of St Albans
Bishop of St Albans
The Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
and considered a likely candidate, was reported by Time magazine
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
to have disapproved of the entire process: "It's revolting to turn important church affairs into a horse race." The Archbishop appointed was Donald Coggan
Donald Coggan
Frederick Donald Coggan, Baron Coggan, PC was the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury from 1974 to 1980, during which time he visited Rome and met the Pontiff, in company with Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, future Cardinal of England and Wales.-Background:Coggan was born in Highgate, London, England...
, Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
, whom Ladbroke's had considered a leading candidate.
The same year Robert Runcie was offered the position which Coggan had vacated, that of the Archbishop of York. Rosalind was reportedly set against moving from St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
to York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, resulting in her husband turning down the offer. Her husband was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1980. His acceptance of the position was reportedly delayed for weeks because Rosalind was opposed to moving to Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
.
Rosalind continued giving piano recitals in both the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to an 1983 article of the Wrexham Evening Leader
Wrexham Evening Leader
The Leader is a daily paper in the United Kingdom distributed on week mornings. It combines local and national news in order to create a morning newspaper....
, Rosalind Runcie had raised over £60,000 for charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
through her recitals. Lady Runcie is interested in gardening and redesigned the gardens at Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. It is located in Lambeth, on the south bank of the River Thames a short distance upstream of the Palace of Westminster on the opposite shore. It was acquired by the archbishopric around 1200...
(the London base of the Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1986.
During the 1980s, the Early Diagnostic Unit for breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Marsden Hospital is a specialist cancer treatment hospital in London, England. It is an NHS Foundation Trust, and operates facilities on two sites:*The Chelsea site in Brompton, next to the Royal Brompton Hospital, on Fulham Road...
was threatened with closure. Rosalind Runcie and June Kenton, owner of the Rigby & Peller shop which has received a Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
for custom-making the brassiere
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
s of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, organized a petition for its continued existence, gathering thousands of signatures. Their petition was delivered to Norman Fowler
Norman Fowler
Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler, PC is a British Conservative politician who was from 1981 to 1990 a member of Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet.-Early life:...
, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is a post in the British Cabinet, responsible for the Department for Work and Pensions. It was created on 8 June 2001 by the merger of the Employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security.The Ministry...
(term 14 September 1981 - 13 June 1987) who withdrew the notice of closure.
In 1987, Rosalind was featured in articles of the Daily Star, a daily British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tabloid newspaper. She took legal actions against the publisher under the English defamation law
English defamation law
Modern libel and slander laws, as implemented in many Commonwealth nations as well as in the United States and in the Republic of Ireland, are originally descended from English defamation law...
. The case reportedly concluded with a settlement in her favor. In 1988, Rosalind was named Honorary President of the Anglo-Armenian Association.
Lady Runcie now resides in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
(in which city she had lived in the 1970s during her husband's time as Bishop of St Albans
Bishop of St Albans
The Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
) and teaches piano privately and at St Albans School
St Albans School (Hertfordshire)
St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest...
and St Albans High School for Girls
St Albans High School for Girls
St Albans High School is a private Church of England girls' day school founded in 1889 for girls aged 4 to 18, located in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire with a primary school in the nearby village of Wheathampstead. It provides girls with good quality educational provision in all sections of...
.