Originating from the "vale of little dairies" in beautiful North Dorset, I grew up on the family dairy farm, with my father and mother (a teacher), my twin brother and my two older sisters. I was schooled at a local preparatory and boarding school, and thereon went up to the University of Reading to read for a BSc Hons degree in Land Management (including a year as an intern in an architectural and environmental planning office in Munich, home of the international beer festival). Returning to the UK I completed my Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, and subsequently gained Chartered membership of the Royal Institute of Landscape Architects, London.
Throughout my late twenties and thirties, I worked in various architectural and environmental consultancies, chiefly in my role as 'expert witness' at public and local plan enquiries.
But God had other plans in store! Considered to be in the tradition of a 'late vocation', I was sent to the Pontifical Beda College in Rome in 2010 and, after completing my post-grauduate studies in theology, was ordained priest by Bishop Mark O'Toole for the Diocese of Plymouth on July 25th 2014, the Feast of St. James the Apostle. I served as a curate in Poole, and thereafter served in the parishes of Swanage, Dorset, and Bideford and Torrington in North Devon. I was appointed parish priest of the Sacred Heart Church, Paignton, in September 2018.
Joe, our much loved retired deacon, was born at King's College, London, and was raised in Brixton, South London, where he received his early schooling. The Second World War interevened though, and Joe moved around with his family to South Norwood, Billingshurst in Sussex, and even as far as Wrexham in North Wales. Eventually Joe returned to Brixton where he attended the school of building and qualified in engineering. He then joined a building services firm on New Bond Street, where he was to meet his late wife, Jean, through her brother.
Married in 1959, Jean and Joe enjoyed married together in Tooting, and subsequently were gifted by the birth of John in 1959. In the sixties the family decided to move down to Paignton, intially to look after Jean's mother, but the family decided to stay and Joe entered a property services firm based in Plymouth. Sadly, Jean developed dementia around this time, and had to go into care. Along with his son's interest in evangelical Christianity, this prompted Joe to undergo much soul searching, and ultimately discerned a vocation to the permanent Diaconate through the encouragement of his parish preist, Canon Seamus, parishioners, and of course the prompting of the Holy Spirit!
After three years of training, Joe was ordained Deacon in 2002, and assiduosly serves the parish still to this very day by proclaiming the Gopsel at weekday and Sunday masses.
Andrew, our third year seminarian at Allen Hall, London, is currently staying with us on his extended pastoral placement until June 2019. He writes:
I am a third-year seminarian training for Plymouth Diocese. Whilst much of our formation takes place at the seminary, it is essential that we gain pastoral experience in parishes, and that’s why I am in Paignton. It has been a huge blessing to be here, assisting Fr Ralph and seeing first-hand the great variety of things involved in being a parish priest. A typical week involves serving Mass each day, helping at the school, visiting the sick and elderly, assisting the chaplaincy team in the hospital, helping with catechesis and parish groups, and so much more!
Before entering seminary, I worked in the auction business for 10 years as a valuer of antiques and art. This was an exciting career and I was fortunate to work with some wonderful people. But gradually my faith became more important and I realised I had a deep desire to get more involved and respond to the Lord’s goodness by becoming a priest and serving His people.