About Us

I’m very much looking forward to February and starting ministry in the parishes. I was born and brought up in Omagh, a county town in the western part of Northern Ireland. I came to faith in Christ at the age of fourteen through the ministry of my local church. By my late teens was considering God’s call to church ministry. I studied Theology at Queen’s University, Belfast and then Trinity College, Dublin.  I was ordained in 1996 to serve as curate in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.  After that I served in two rural incumbencies in Co. Fermanagh in south-west Ulster. I also have been part of mission teams to China and Serbia. I married in 1999. Sadly the marriage broke down in 2015. I have two daughters, Hannah, twelve, and Rachel, ten, who are my pride and joy. My last parish position was Dean and Rector of Dromore Cathedral, Co. Down. I support Liverpool FC and enjoy reading, table quizzes and I need to find time for walking to keep fit. I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Levens. Heversham and Milnthorpe, and living and ministering in the area.

Charles is married to Susan and they have four children and four grandchildren. Charles’s main interests are fly-fishing; cycling; walking; and the whole world of nature. He was ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Manchester in 1981, and Priest in 1982. He was in the Diocese of Manchester for twenty three years and then in the Diocese of Bradford at Ingleton for nearly twelve years. Charles has had a varied ministry which included being a vicar, setting up team ministries, hospital chaplaincy, being an Area Dean, and holding diocesan responsibilities. Charles and Susan now feel privileged to live in this beautiful area of Cumbria.

After 22 years of teaching and leadership, mainly in residential special education, Colin ‘turned his collar round’ and was ordained into full-time ministry. He brought with him a wide experience of working and leading within a multi-disciplinary team, respect for all members’ gifts, and not taking himself too seriously! This has put Colin in good stead throughout his years both in rural ministry and in urban ministry, because wherever there are people, then God is at work among them. Now as ‘active retired’ Colin also has time for writing, local and family history, walking and cycling in our beautiful county, and sharing in the lives of his beloved family.

Annette attended Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham 2012-13 and attained a Diploma with merit in Theology and Ministry. She was ordained deacon in June 2013 and priest in 2014 by the Bishop of Carlisle. Annette was a non-stipendiary curate in the parish of St John’s Levens until June 2017 and is now an Associate Priest. Prior to ordination Annette worked as a teacher in both primary and secondary schools having qualified as a graduate at Wolverhampton University. Annette enjoys gardening and fell walking and lives in Grange over Sands with her retired husband.

In 2006 Ron retired after nearly 40 years in teaching, He was Deputy Head of a successful local comprehensive for his last 15 years. He was ordained in 2000 after several years as a Reader. Ron has been involved in several sports including table tennis (now only recreationally), football, rugby union, athletics. Recently he has enjoyed cycling and walking. His other interests include reading (particularly anything linked to Bletchley Park House or France), cooking, travelling and socialising. Ron’s son and his family live in Kent. His daughter lives with her husband & baby.

Bob was ordained in 1963 and spent his early years in High Wycombe until marrying his wife Celia and then moving to Micklefield. In 1970, he was appointed Sacrist of Rochester Cathedral, responsible for much of the music, administration and pastoral care of the Cathedral and its community. After four years Bob and his family moved to a very rural area of Cumbria where he had to gain experience of keeping livestock as well as looking after his parish flock. Bob has also served as a Rural Dean, chaplain of an Agricultural college and served on a local Health Authority Board. Bob’s last ministry before retiring was in Grasmere where he also ran courses teaching other clergy about rural ministry.

Having been christened at St Thomas’, Roger has had a lifelong connection with Milnthorpe’s Parish Church. He has been a licensed Reader for over 35 years and participates in regular services as well as conducting many funerals. A historian by profession Roger is keen that the church continues to play a full part in the social and community life of the village by hosting concerts, the horticultural show and a high-quality Summer Art Exhibition. Roger particularly enjoys the out-door services on The Green on Good Friday, Summer Songs of Praise and Christmas carols with the Salvation Army. He has welcomed the exceptionally large attendance at special services such as the Christmas musical services and the very popular children’s Christingle festival which, like other Church events, attracts people from around the district along with visitors who are always warmly welcomed in a church noted for its hospitality.

Linda settled in the area over 30 years ago having lived and worked as a modern languages teacher in various secondary schools both in the UK and abroad. Following her retirement Linda trained to become Licensed Lay Minister, she particularly enjoys pastoral care and getting involved with families that bring children for Christening. In her leisure time, as well as spending time with family and friends, she loves watching tennis, squash, dance and enjoys films, live theatre and music, and appreciates a good ‘whodunit’ and historical novels.

Annie is a retired medic who is thoroughly enjoying being retired in this glorious part of the world! She was licensed as a Reader in 2002 in Chester Diocese, moving up to this area in 2006 and has been Warden of Readers for Carlisle Diocese since 2016. She has a passion for folk realising the greatness of God’s love for them. In her spare time Annie enjoys singing (a member of Lancaster Singers), listening to music, being with friends and walking with her dog – a Guide Dog reject called Megan – who Annie insists is the most beautiful black lab in the world