Midwife, teacher, investment banker: our new ordinands come from diverse backgrounds to serve in our diocese. Below, read their short histories as they introduce themselves. They were all ordained by Bishop Richard in Christ Church Cathedral and are now serving in our parishes. Please remember them in your prayers.
Louise Butler
Called out from the HUB Benefice Ministry Team, I feel privileged to serve the communities of Hagbourne, Upton and Blewbury as their OLM. I have lived in the village of Blewbury for over 20 years, with husband and two, now grown-up sons. I started my career in teaching and later worked for a local computer software company with responsibility for finance. Playing tennis remains important for my leisure and community involvement.
Sally Dakin
We moved to Ruscombe from Kenya in 2000, and now I’m looking forward to being a part-time curate here. I’m also enjoying re-training as a midwife; until recently I worked as a personal development trainer. My Husband, Tim, works with the Church Mission Society, and our children, Anna (13) and Johnny (9), attend local schools.
Stephen James
I am married to Sue (a Headteacher) and have two grown-up children, Daniel and Natalie. I studied at Trinity College of Music and later at the Universities of Reading and Bristol. A teacher by profession, I am currently the Music Adviser and Head of the Music Service in Milton Keynes. I’m looking forward to working as a Non Stipendiary Minister in my home parishes of West Hanney, Denchworth and East Challow.
Elizabeth Dowding
Brought up on a farm in rural Worcestershire, I trained as a home economist and later as a teacher. My husband, John, now busily retired, worked in the oil industry. We have two adult sons, Daniel, recently married to Sibylle, and Alexander. I am pleased to be serving my title as NSM in the United Benefice of Goring with South Stoke, among people with whom I have lived for twenty-eight years.
Alan Garratt
I was born in Dublin and moved to High Wycombe with my wife, Trish in 1986. We have three children; Helen, Stuart and John. Having worked in International Banking for almost 20 years, our lives changed when in 1995 I began a degree in Theology at London Bible College. Following graduation in 1998, I joined the full time staff of Holy Trinity, Hazlemere as a lay Pastor and am looking forward to serving my curacy there.
Susan Newby
Born in Yorkshire, brought up in Cheshire. Married to David who works for BMW. Three children: John who runs his own business in Finland; Elizabeth, his twin, training to be a nurse, and Kate who works for Thames Valley Police. I moved to Oxfordshire in 1967 to begin teacher training gaining my B.Ed degree in 1971. I have been the headteacher at Wroxton Primary School since 1982. Presently based at St. Mary’s Adderbury.
James Tomkins
I am married to Ann and am looking forward to serving the Lavendon group of parishes, helping to spread the message of God’s love to the local community and beyond. I enjoy working with children and have been involved in holiday and after school clubs, combining this with leading two Cub Scout packs. I like spending time outdoors; walking, running, cycling and gardening, and trained part-time on the St.Albans and Oxford Ministry Course.
Carolynn Croisdale-Appleby
Carolynn and her husband David have lived in South Buckinghamshire for 36 years, they have four children who are busy pursuing their own careers. Originally an Infant teacher, Carolynn has taught students with Specific Learning Difficulties until beginning her ministerial training. An active member of St Michael’s Amersham for 31 years, Carolynn is looking forward to serving her title as an NSM in the adjoining parish of St Mary’s Amersham with Coleshill.
Louise Adey Huish
Louise taught German language and literature at Lincoln College and St Edmund Hall between 1985 and 1997. After the family moved to the Banbury area she worked as a freelance translator and has published translations of Freud and Schleiermacher. She will be serving her title as NSM curate at St Mary’s Banbury. She is married to Ian who is a psychotherapist, and they have two children.
Brian Gardner
I was born in 1946 and married Jennifer in 1969. We have 3 children, Deborah, Alison and Peter; and 2 step-granddaughters, Helen and Katy. I have worked at the Horton Hospital in Banbury since 1971, and we first worshipped at St. John the Baptist Bodicote in 1973. I was licensed as a Reader (now LLM) in 1990. Post-ordination, I hope to continue my ministry in Bodicote as an OLM, and to expand that role on retirement in 2006.
Wendy Cunningham
I have been married to Bruce for 37 years and we have four children and five grandchildren. We have lived in many parts of the country settling in North Oxfordshire 14 years ago. I have variously worked for the Equal Opportunities Commission, helped to run a pub company and took early retirement last year from BBOWT, the local wildlife trust. I look forward to ongoing ministry, serving Christ in the Hook Norton Benefice.
Linda Green
After reading zoology, I trained and registered as a nurse and for many years I have been working in nurse education, most recently as a senior lecturer at Luton University. I am a clergy widow and have a daughter, Katherine, 23 and a son, Thomas, 18. Having completed the St. Albans and Oxford theology and ministry course, I now look forward to serving my title as curate at Holy Trinity, Headington Quarry.
Jeremy Hyde
I am serving as an NSM at St. Peters with St. Marks in Maidenhead. I am married to Margaret, who is training as a licensed lay minister and we have two children, Sara, an actor living in London and Jon, a musician who lives in Birmingham and is married to Sarah, a youth worker. I plan to continue as a local councillor and working occasionally with the pharmaceutical industry.
Sarah Jones
Born and brought up in Devizes, Wiltshire, I now live in Witney and thoroughly enjoy working as a Practice Nurse in a busy GP surgery. Married to Chris, we have 3 helpful and supportive children aged 21, 19 and 16. I will serve my title in the Benefice of Ramsden, Leafield, Finstock and Wilcote; and I am looking forward to the challenge of combining the new role of curate with my current job.
Laura Hodges
I am married to Steve and we have three sons Robin, 25, Matthew, 22 and Thomas, 18. I have been involved in church life in a variety of ways since moving to Abingdon, and I am grateful for the support that I have received from the local church community in my journey towards this point. I really enjoyed studying on SAOMC and look forward to beginning this new phase of my ministry in Abingdon.
Linda Richardson
Paul and I have been married for 20 years. We do not have children, only one very demanding cat! My curacy will be shared with the United Benefice of West Wycombe, Bledlow Ridge, Bradenham and Radnage, and the parish of St. Anne and St. Peter in Micklefield and Wycombe Marsh (part of the High Wycombe team). I am very much looking forward to being involved in the churches of these two very different places.
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