About the
Savernake Team

Born and raised a Christian, I started my training for priesthood in 1977. I trained in Birmingham, London and Toronto. After completing a master’s degree in Divinity, I was ordained deacon in Toronto in 1987 and as a priest in Wimbledon in 1988. I then worked on the Zimbabwe/Mozambique border as Priest-in-Charge of a large mission station. I took a break from ministry and became a Primary School Teacher, finishing as a Deputy Head before returning to ministry in 2005. I served a curacy at St Denys in Warminster as a self-supporting minister and continued as a stipendiary curate in Salisbury at St Thomas’. My first incumbency was as a Team Vicar in the Pewsey Vale Team and from there I joined the Savernake Team as Rector in July 2012.

Born into a military family in Tidworth. Was in Cyprus when the war broke out in 1974 and was evacuated back to the UK.  Spent four years in Germany and then moved back to the UK when my father left the Army. I’m not from a religious family; but started going to church at the age of 12 when I joined the local church choir. Became a Christian at a Youth for Christ event in Peterborough at the age of 17. First job was as a multiplex cinema manager and projectionist, then joined the Army to serve in the Royal Signals.  After 12 years service, I left the Army to pursue my vocation to the Priesthood. Trained at St Michael’s College in Llandaff, Cardiff, and was ordained deacon in 2010 at Christ Church, Oxford; priested at Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire, in 2011, serving my title at Carterton, Oxfordshire. Moved to the Savernake Team as Team Vicar in 2014 and love living in Wiltshire! I now also serve as Padre to the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force in addition to my parochial duties.

It’s a huge privilege and a joy to be looking after the parishes of Burbage, Shalbourne, Ham & Buttermere, within the Savernake Team. I have lived in this part of Wiltshire for many years. My wife grew up here, and our children have too.   Brought up a Christian, I always felt a calling to ordained ministry but managed to evade it until my 40s, when I finally – and happily – succumbed.  As well as being a vicar, I continue to work as a writer, both for the screen and for publication. My book about being a priest here, Tales of a Country Parish is due for publication in February 2022. Described as ‘eccentric and intimate’, it’s a very personal love song to this place – the downs, the forests, and the villages – and to the wonderful people who live and work here.   And this year I was also privileged to have been asked to contribute to the Church of England’s Reflections for Daily Prayer.  I look forward very much to welcoming you to Ham or Buttermere, Shalbourne or Burbage in the near future. We’d love to see you.  (Photo by Alex Smith)