Clergy Moves and Notices
December 2025 - The following have been announced since October 2025:
APPOINTMENTS
BRITCLIFFE James (Jim) Andrew
Formerly Interim Assistant Minister in the parishes of Crewe All Saints and St Paul (1707), Crewe St Andrew with St John the Baptist (1708) & Crewe St Peter (1712), in the Deanery of Nantwich, now Interim Priest-in-Charge at the same parishes, with effect from 16 November 2025.
HASSALL Julie
Currently Assistant Curate of the parishes of Middlewich (0608) and Byley-cum-Lees (0601), in the Deanery of Middlewich, to be to be Assistant Curate, known as Associate Minister at the same parishes, with effect from 19 December 2025.
MOTTRAM Jane Louise
Currently Assistant Curate of the parish of Partington & Carrington (1013), in the Deanery of Bowdon, to be Vicar at the same parish with effect from 21 April 2026.
MONTGOMERY Richard (Ricky)
Previously Assistant Curate of the parish of Ellesmere Port (0906), in the Deanery of Wirral South, now Assistant Curate, to be known as Associate Minister at the same parish, with effect from 03 December 2025.
PAGNAM Marcus Paul
Currently Assistant Curate of the parish of Wythall St Mary in the Diocese of Birmingham, to be Vicar of the parish of Handforth St Chad (1207), in the Deanery of Cheadle with effect from 18 January 2026.
RUSTED Amanda Giselle
Currently holding the Bishop of Chester’s Permission to Officiate, to be to be Interim Vicar of the parish of Whaley Bridge (1110), in the Deanery of Chadkirk, with effect from 29 January 2026.
RESIGNATIONS/LEAVERS
ICKE Robert John
Currently Vicar of the parishes of Latchford St James (0408) and Latchford Christ Church (0407), in the deanery of Great Budworth, to be Rector of Stone St Michael and Wulfad with Aston St Saviour, in the Diocese of Lichfield, with effect from 28 January 2026.
LEAVER Lucinda Elizabeth Jane
Currently Chaplain at Stockport Grammar School, to be Canon Pastor at Norwich Cathedral, in the Diocese of Norwich, with effect from 24 February 2026.
WALKER John Richard
Bishops’ Advisor for Diocesan Discernment of Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of Chester and Residentiary Canon at Chester Cathedral, to be Priest-in-Charge of Malton and Old Malton in the Diocese of York, with effect from 16 December 2025.
DEATHS
We are sorry to have to report the death of the following members of clergy. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.
BURGESS Edwin Michael (Revd Canon)
Fr Burgess was ordained in Durham Diocese in 1972 as Deacon and in 1973 as priest, serving his first curacy at St Andrew, Beamish (Durham Diocese), from 1972 – 1977. He then served a second curacy at St Mary the Virgin Good Shepherd, Parr, Truro Diocese (1977 – 1980). His first incumbency was as Priest-in-Charge at St Cuby, Duloe with Herodsfoot, Truro Diocese (1980 – 1983), later becoming Rector, at the same parish (1983 – 1986). Between 1980 and 1986 he was also Jt Director South-West Ministry Training Course in Truro Diocese. Fr Michael then moved to North Wales to become Sub-warden at St Deiniol's Library, Hawarden (1986 – 1991), before returning to parish ministry in 1991 to become Rector of St Peter, Oughtrington (Chester Diocese), as well as Priest-in Charge of St Werburgh, Warburton (Chester Diocese) from 1993, serving in both parishes until 2005. During this time, from 1999 – 2003, Fr Michael was also Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) Officer in Chester Diocese. In 2005 he became Rector of St Peter Oughtrington with Warburton (Chester Diocese) until his retirement on 30th September 2025. He was also made an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral in 2010. Died 17 October 2025.
BRADBROOK Peter David
Revd Bradbrook was ordained in Chester Diocese in 1960 as Deacon and in 1961 as priest, serving his first curacy at St Oswald and St Thomas Chester (Chester Diocese), from 1960 – 1963. His second curacy was at St Etheldreda Fulham, London Diocese, (1964 – 1965). Mr Bradbrook then returned to Chester Diocese for his first incumbency as Vicar of St James Congleton (1965 – 1979). From 1979 – 1992 he was Vicar of Wheelock (Chester Diocese), then Vicar of All Saints and St Paul Crewe (Chester Diocese), from 1992 until his retirement in 1998. Mr Bradbrook held Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese from 2000 until 2019. Died 25 October 2025.
EVANS Terence Robert
Revd Evans was ordained Deacon in Liverpool Diocese in 1985 and priested in 1986, serving his curacy at St Elphin with St John Warrington (Liverpool Diocese), from 1985 – 1988. His first incumbency was as Vicar of St Jude Cantril Farm, Liverpool Diocese (1988 – 1994). Mr Evans then became Vicar of St Ann Rainhill, Liverpool Diocese (1994 – 2003), after which his final incumbency was as Rector of All Saints Ode Rode, Chester Diocese, from 2003 until his retirement in 2010. Mr Evans held Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese from 2010 until 2023. Died 21 October 2025.
ORTON Richard
Canon Orton was ordained Deacon in Wakefield Diocese in 1961 and priested in 1964. He served his first curacy at Penistone with Midhope (Wakefield Diocese), from 1961 – 1962 before becoming Honorary Curate at Meltham, Wakefield Diocese, (1962 – 1969). Canon Orton’s next post was as Honorary Curate at Horsforth, Ripon Diocese, (1969 – 1972) and then Curate of St Chad Far Headingley, Ripon Diocese (1972 – 1975). Canon Orton’s first incumbency was as Vicar of Hellifield, Bradford Diocese (1975 – 1980), following which he then moved south to become Rector of Hutton, Chelmsford Diocese, from 1980 – 1987. Canon Orton then moved back north in 1987 to be Rector of St Hilary Wallasey in Chester Diocese, until his retirement in 2000. During his time at St Hilary Canon Orton was also Diocesan Ecumenical Officer (1992 – 1999), Rural Dean of Wallasey (1996 – 1999) and an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral (1997 – 2000). He came out of retirement in 2001 to serve as Curate at Great Sutton, Chester Diocese, until 2005. He then held Permission to Officiate from 2005 – 2020. Died 29 September 2025.
CLARK Patricia Mary
Revd Clark was ordained as Deacon in Chester Diocese in 1988, and served as Parish Deacon at Leasowe, Chester Diocese (1988 – 1992). She then moved to become Parish Deacon at Davenham, Chester Diocese (1992 – 1994), and during 1994 became one of the first women to be ordained to the priesthood in Chester Diocese. She then continued serving at Leasowe, Chester Diocese, as curate from 1994 until 1997 when she retired. From 1989 – 1997 Revd Clark was also Bishop’s Officer for Women in Ministry in Chester Diocese. She continued to serve in Chester Diocese with Permission to Officiate from 1997 – 2012, before moving to Blackburn Diocese where she held Permission to Officiate there until 2019. Died 13 October 2025.
SEBER Derek Morgan
Revd Seber was ordained Deacon in Manchester Diocese in 1973 and priested in 1974. He served his first curacy at The Saviour Collyhurst (Manchester Diocese), from 1973 – 1976 and a second curacy at St Thomas and St John, and St Philip Mission Church Radcliffe, Manchester Diocese (1976 – 1977). Revd Seber was an Industrial Missioner in Manchester Diocese (1977 – 1989), and during this time, he was also Priest-in-Charge of St George, Hulme (1977 – 1983), moving on to be Honorary Curate at St James with St Clement Moss Side, Manchester Diocese (1983 – 1996). Revd Seber was also Project Officer Linking Up (1989 – 1996) as well as a Licensed Preacher in Manchester Diocese (1990 – 1996). He was then briefly Priest-in-Charge of St John the Evangelist Cheetham, Manchester Diocese, in 1997 before moving to Chester Diocese to be an Industrial Chaplain (1997 – 2005). Mr Seber was also Priest-in-Charge at All Saints Thornton Hough, Chester Diocese (1997 – 2005) and then made Vicar at All Saints Thornton Hough from 2005 until his retirement in 2008. He continued to serve in Chester Diocese with Permission to Officiate from 2008 – 2012, at which point he moved to Blackburn Diocese and held Permission to Officiate there from 2012 – 2023, marking 50 years of continuous ministry. Died 18 November 2025.