It was about eighteen months ago that I started leading services in the Upper Chase parishes. Gill Baverstock, who does a wonderful job as our benefice administrator, got in touch with a priest neighbour who couldn’t herself take services but knew that as newly retired from stipendiary ministry I had recently received permission to take services and might be free to help. I was free and started travelling down from Harnham on the A354 on Sundays to take the monthly Eucharists at Pentridge, Tollard Royal and Farnham. I’ve also taken services at Sixpenny Handley including the last two Remembrance Sunday services.
After failing to attract applicants for the role of rector whilst considering how the vacancy might be filled, the bishop and archdeacon wanted to provide more sustained ordained ministry in the parishes. They came up with the idea of approaching a newly retired priest to minister. And so it was that out of the blue I got a phone call from Archdeacon Penny to ask if I would get more involved in the parishes; spending all my available Sundays in benefice (I was at the time taking services in other churches in the Milton and Blandford, and Stonehenge deaneries) and getting involved in the ministry and mission of the parishes more
generally. I have been asked to offer the equivalent of two days a week, including Sunday services, to the parishes.
I was ordained over forty years ago to serve in a Bolton parish in Manchester diocese where I met my wife, Virginia. On marrying we moved further north to Lancaster (yes, there is further north than Manchester!). As well as working in a parish I was a prison chaplain. We then moved to Blackburn for eleven years where we had our three children, now all in their 30s. As a family we moved to Bearsted on the edge of Maidstone, Kent, in the diocese of Canterbury in 2021. During my time there I was also responsible for a
small country parish not unlike some of our smaller parishes in Upper Chase. Without moving I became the Rector of a new team with a dozen congregations and five full time staff. I also served as Area Dean and became an honorary canon of Canterbury Cathedral. Having served there for twenty-two years I retired in 2023. Virginia and I moved to Harnham, across the water meadows from Salisbury Cathedral where I am a member of the weekday Evensong congregation.
I have felt very welcomed in Upper Chase and I’m told that soundings have indicated that a wider ministry by me would be positively received. I’m excited about my new role which builds on what I have already been doing and the relationships that have already begun. I hope to meet you soon. Your friend and pastor,
