Colin Douglas Semper (5 February 1938 – 13 April 2022)Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black, 2008 The Very Rev Colin Semper, Anglican cleric who brought enthusiasm for the Gospel to his role as head of religious programmes on BBC radio – obituary was an English Anglican priest.
Early life He was the elder son of William Semper, a greengrocer, of 54 Eastbrook Road. He attended Mount Street School and Westgate School. He was a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral.Lincolnshire Echo Tuesday 20 June 1972, page 7
Semper was educated at Lincoln Grammar School and Keble College, Oxford, and was ordained in 1963.Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 Lambeth, Church House, 1975
Career He began his ordained ministry as a curate at Holy Trinity with St Mary's in Guildford.Church website He was Recruitment and Selection Secretary for the Advisory Council for the Church's Ministry until 1969 when he became Head of Religious Programmes for BBC Radio and Deputy Head of Religious Broadcasting for the BBC, positions he held for 13 years. He then became Provost of the Cathedral Church of St Michael, Coventry.The Times, 19 July 1982, p10, "Latest appointments" and after that Treasurer of Westminster Abbey. In retirement he continued to serve as a non-stipendiary priest at St Mary's Frensham.List of clergy
BBC He started the Sunday Radio 4 weekly programme. He produced the Speakeasy radio discussion programme hosted by Jimmy Savile.Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 11 June 1975, page 6 He introduced Songs of Praise from Lincoln Cathedral, which was recorded on 20 June 1972.
Personal life He lived in Guildford.Lincolnshire Echo Thursday 18 May 1972, page 6
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