About the
Savernake Team

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)

I was born in Worcester and educated at the Royal Grammar. I was brought up as a Christian, was a member of the church affiliated scout troop. On leaving school I did National Service  in the Royal Signals and then went up to Keble College, Oxford to study  German and French .I became a teacher of these languages in various boys schools, and for a while taught English in Germany. Ordination was always in my mind and eventually God called me and after selection to be trained as a priest I spent three years studying on the Southwark Ordination Course I was ordained in 1986 and became a curate at All Saints, West Dulwich in South London. At the end of my curacy I and my family went to Luxembourg to be Chaplain (vicar) of the Anglican Church. After twelve (!) fulfilling years I became a  House for Duty priest for four villages in the Diocese of Gloucester, near Winchcombe. I retired from parish ministry in 2008 and continued my ministry by doing locums in South London and the Diocese of Europe. I moved to Great Bedwyn on the death of my wife. I now have a PTO from the Bishop of Salisbury and  am happy to serve the churches here, when called upon.