Profile

Mike and Pat first met at Grammar school in Smethwick. At 18 Pat started a Teacher Training course at The Margaret McMillan College in Bradford and Mike did his National Service in the RAF. It was during this time that his spiritual journey began at RAF Marham.

Later they attended St Martin’s Church in the Bullring, Birmingham, a lively Anglican Church under the leadership of the well-known Evangelist, Canon Bryan Green. It was here that they both became more committed and involved in the life of the church. During this time Mike felt he was being called to the ordained ministry and after a selection conference was accepted for training.

Mike and Pat were married at St Martin’s nearly 50 years ago and their sons, Andrew and Jonathan, were born during Mike’s four years of theological training.

At the end of his training Mike was invited for interview at Worplesdon in the Diocese of Guildford and on acceptance was ordained by Bishop George Reindorp in Guildford Cathedral.

After three very happy years in the parish, with Pat lecturing NNEB students and Mike growing in his ministry as a curate, it was time to move on and Mike was accepted as a Chaplain in the Royal Air Force.

The RAF provided the opportunity for a variety of experiences in different parts of the world, from training units, hospital chaplaincies, flying stations and Headquarter units, sometimes serving with the Army and Navy, which further added to the richness and variety of his ministry.

During these years as a “Camp Follower” Pat continued to support Mike in his work as well as teaching in army schools. Part of her role involved running Sunday schools, Wives’ clubs, Guiding and entertaining. The highlight for her during their time in Hong Kong was serving as Divisional Commissioner, working with British, Chinese and Gurka brownies, guides and guiders.

Mike’s last six years in the RAF were spent serving in Germany and at St Clement Danes, where he was appointed as Queen’s Honorary Chaplain.

After leaving the service Pat and Mike moved back into their house in Chesterton, Oxfordshire. For five years he ministered there as Rector of the United Parishes of Chesterton, Wendlebury and Middleton Stoney, and was also appointed Rural Dean of Bicester and Islip Deanery.

Mike’s last post was as Chaplain of St Andrew’s, Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, where he and Pat spent five very happy and fulfilling years.

In retirement Mike is supporting the present Rector in Chesterton who is responsible for seven parishes in the Akeman Benefice, Oxford. He has also served as locum on two occasions at St. Andrew’s, Abu Dhabi. Pat is still able to pursue her interest in Education, working with an intervention group of children and also as a school governor at the Chesterton C of E Aided Primary School.