Our people

I am married to Kim and we have four children. Originally from Hereford I studied for a degree in music at St. Andrew’s University before moving to London for further study alongside working in a large central London church.

I trained to be ordained at Cranmer Hall in Durham (where I met Kim) and I was ordained in 1989. I was curate in Thirsk in York diocese before spending 6 years in my home town in a large urban Team Ministry. The family moved to Barnard Castle in 2000 and we love this place! I am the Area Dean of Barnard Castle and became an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral in 2011.

I am originally from Russia but moved to the UK and settled in Norwich in 2010. Having initially trained as an architect, I ended up abandoning that path and studying history or art and architecture instead, completing a PhD in Anglo-Saxon church and hall groups in 2020.

I trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall (St John’s College) in Durham, was ordained in June 2024 and have been very lucky to move to Barnard Castle to serve my curacy!

I’ve nearly always lived in Teesdale having been born in Whorlton and was Churchwarden there about forty years ago. I now live in Startforth but having been christened and married in St Mary’s Whorlton, I have a special interest in the church. I’m looking forward to protecting the building and promoting its use within the community.

My working life has been in electrical engineering this now includes energy management and seeking methods to reduce and provide sustainable energy solutions. All energy is derived from the earth which is given to us from God and I feel it is our moral duty to look after this finite source.

I’m married to Miriam and we have one daughter, Liz who is married to Chris and also we have a Granddaughter Charlotte and they all live in Barnard Castle. I retired from my role as Reader in May 2024 and am now Reader Emeritus.

I was admitted as a Reader in the Diocese of Gloucester in 1975 and have been licensed in the Diocese of Durham since 1988. I taught mathematics at Barnard Castle School before retiring in 2001. I retired from active ministry at the end of 2014 and am now a Reader Emeritus.

The Church of England is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and service of the church. Harriet is the Parish Safeguarding Officer for the Ecclesiastical Parish of Barnard Castle with Whorlton and can be contacted on  safeguarding@stmarysbarnardcastle.org.uk

Contact pcc_secretary@stmarysbarnardcastle.org.uk

A member of the congregation at Bowburn, Gladys is employed by Durham Dales Parish Nursing to offer professional pastoral ministry across Teesdale with a particular focus on mental health and supporting those who are at risk because of isolation.