Our Team
Staff Team
Luke Wickings
Rector
I was born in Hammersmith hospital in London to a large non-religious family; I have six sisters and two brothers. But, through the vagaries of life I subsequently lived on a farm in Wiltshire and then another in Cumbria, and later on a Thames Sailing Barge!
Somewhere in the middle of all that I was fostered at the age of 13. So, as you can see, as for all of us, life has had its ups and downs. But, by the grace of God I became a Chrisian at the age of 22 and I’ve never looked back.
God has blessed me in so many ways, with the churches I have served in, with his amazing grace, and with my wonderful wife and family. The Lord really is my shepherd (Psalm 23) and I thank him for leading me, be it beside still waters or in dark valleys, He is always with us, thanks be to God.
Nigel Coates
Assistant Priest
Nigel grew up in the New Forest and has returned to his roots on retirement from Southwell Cathedral where he was a residentiary canon for 15 years. He and his wife Rhoda have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren, 5 of whom have clergy parents, and all of whom live in or near London. The children all enjoy visiting Fordingbridge having grown up in nearby Southampton.
Michael Anderson
Assistant Priest
Michael was born and brought up in Surrey, attending Emmanuel Church Tolworth , where he was baptised, confirmed, and married to Sylvia in July 1966. He was ordained in the September, having trained at Trinity Bristol. He served at Fareham and Basingstoke, before moving to Hordle. During his varied career he has also served … Read More
John Towler
Assistant Pn Towler is a Norfolk man and spent his curacy at St. Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Following a lifetime’s interest in education he spent 7 years as Warden of Horstead (near Norwich) Conference Centre, a Diocesan Centre especially though not exclusively for young people, as well as Youth Chaplain and Rector of All Saints Church, Horstead. The first part of his ministry concluded as Precentor of Worcester Cathedral. … Read More
Mark Ward
Licensed Lay Minister
Mark was first licensed as a lay minister in 2005 and takes services in the parish as well as across the deanery and diocese. He has been the Lay-chair of Christchurch Deanery, a member of Winchester Diocesan Synod and for 6 years sat on the Bishop’s Council and as a director of Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance. He is a Deputy Warden of Lay Ministry assisting the Warden of Readers … Read More
01425 656120 Email
Ruth Crosland (& Mollie)
Licensed Lay Minister and Ordinand
Ruth Crosland was licensed as a Lay Reader in 2007 and has been at the same church in Bournemouth for a very long time! She was fortunate to retire recently from a full-time long career as a Social Worker, working mainly in hospitals where she spent time trying to help people ‘escape’! On her retirement wish list was to … Read More
Mary Melbourne
Licensed Lay Minister
Mary was licensed as a Lay Worker in 2021 and is also a Churchwarden, Focal Minister and Organist at Breamore. She is now continuing her training to become a Licensed Lay Minister.
Having been born and brought up in Southampton, Mary moved to Fordingbridge in 1980 with her husband David (who is Sacristan at Fordingbridge) … Read More
Alex Sains
Ordinand in Training
Alex is currently in training for ordination and is studying at the Winchester School of Mission. She is also the leader of our AVC worship band ‘The Mustard Seeds’.
She has spent the last 38 years working as a speech therapist, running her own business and specialising in the areas of self-esteem and social and emotional communication. She is also … Read More
Jamie Warne
Digital Communications
Zoe Goddard
Administrator, Church Office
Lay Team - Wardens
Fordingbridge with Sandleheath and Godshill
Nigel Spratt
Mark Ward
Hyde
Martin Ings
Jan Butcher
Woodgreen with Hale
Lynda Warne
Ruth Crossland
Breamore
Mary Melbourne
Andy Finch
The Wider Team
Permission to preach (BPP)
Julian Sims, Alex Sains
Lay worship leaders (BCM)
Heather Clark, Michele Gosling, Julie Francis, Jeremy Houghton-Brown, Martin Ings, Mike Ireland, Alex Sains, Julian Sims, Jan Butcher
Lay Pastors (BCM)
Pat Bloomfield, Sheilah Collis, Justin Dixon, Julie Francis, Martin Ings, Mary Melbourne, Jan Butcher
Prayer Champions (BCM)
Sheilah Collis, Mary Melbourne, Marrianne Tomkies
Creation Care (BCM)
Bethan Davies
Beyond Church Walls (BCM)
Jeremy Houghton-Brown
Safeguarding
Sarah Newman
Children’s work
Michele Gosling, Irene Canton, Janet Newman, Carol Sims Open the Book – team coordinated by Roland Butcher Hyde Messy Church team: coordinator – Heather Clark
Music
Fordingbridge: Directors of Music – Tim Ruffer and Hazel Ricketts. Captain of Bell Tower – Keith Halstead Hyde: Organists – Sue and Clive Watkiss. Choir – Marrianne Tomkies Breamore: Organists – William Alexander, Hannah Martin, Mary Melbourne. Captain of Bell Tower – Gordon Dymott
PCC secretary
Shared between Ian Newman and Nigel Spratt
LCC secretaries
Fordingbridge: Judith Dowsett, Hyde: Carrie Darke, Breamore: Mary Melbourne, Hale & Woodgreen: Lynda Warne
Parish treasurer
Heather Clark
LCC treasurers
Fordingbridge: Martin Calver, Hyde: Anne Edwards, Breamore: Andy Finch, Hale & Woodgreen: Jeff Butt
Fairtrade
Fordingbridge: Rhoda Coates, Hyde: Jenny and Martin Rice, Hale & Woodgreen: Beverly Judd, Sandleheath: Sue Ledger
Vergers
Fordingbridge: Ian Newman, Hyde: Jeremy Houghton-Brown and Glynis Herridge, Breamore: Andy Finch, Hale & Woodgreen: Lynda Warne
Mothers’ Union
Sheilah Collis and Marion Beck (joint Chair) and Marrianne Tomkies (secretary)
Men’s Group
Stephen Darke
Many other activities are carried out by local teams of volunteers.