The Border Group of Parishes

I came to the benefice in August 2003 after working as curate in the Wrockwardine Team Ministry. Prior to that I trained at Cranmer Hall, St John's College Durham and was ordained in 2000 at Lichfield Cathedral.

I am a member Third Order of the Society of St Francis and act as Area Novice Guardian for Shropshire.

I retired to the borders after 20 years in commuter Surrey, which followed 14 in inner-city Liverpool.

I am married to Sheila and we have five children, all in their thirties. Three of them married. We have four grandchildren with another due in July.

I am old enough to have done National Service (RAF) and various other things before training for Ordination. I was ordained at Southwark Cathedral in 1966 and two curacies followed.

I have a charismatic Christian out look, with a good sense humour. I have a calling to work with young people and families. At the moment I am working in the local primary and pre schools which I am enjoying immensely. I pray we can start new ways of bringing families from the villages in the diocese back to Church.

My family and I have lived in Llanymynech since 1981, during which time I have been quite heavily involved in village life. I took early retirement from Lloyds TSB Bank 6 years ago, after having worked in Welsphool and Oswestry branches for several years. I have run the Llanymynech Youth Club, voluntarily, for the last 5 years and thoroughly enjoy working with young people in the community. I started working as Benefice Administrator, on a part basis, last October and can be contacted in the office Mondays 9.00am to 4.00pm and Tuesdays 1.00pm to 4.00pm. I enjoy life to the full, am always optimistic and adopted the famous Monty Python saying many years ago and 'Always look on the bright side of life!'