A FORMER Canon Slade Grammar School pupil who was considered to have one of the best minds in the Church of England has died aged 87.

The Very Reverend Basil Moss served as provost of Birmingham Cathedral from 1973 to 1985, and was chairman of the city's Race Relations Council.

He was born in Bolton in 1918, and went from the grammar school to Queens College, Oxford, to read classics and theology. His father, Canon Harry Moss, was a vicar in Bolton.

After completing his training at Lincoln Theological College, he returned to Lancashire to become a curate in Leigh in 1943.

After two years, he was recalled to Lincoln to become tutor then sub warden of the college.

In 1966, he became the chief secretary of the Advisory Council for the Church's Ministry.

Following retirement in 1985, he spent the next decade arranging seminars and conferences on marriage and sexuality.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel, and three daughters.