Clergy Moves and Notices
January 2026 - The following have been announced since December 2025:
APPOINTMENTS
BRIDGMAN Jennifer Claire
Currently Bishop’s Adviser for IME 2 and Clergy Transitions, also holding the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese, to also be part time Director of Minister in the Diocese of Chester, with effect from 5 February 2026.
BYRNE Margaret Anne
Currently Assistant Curate in the parishes of Whitegate (0617) and Little Budworth (0606), in the Deanery of Middlewich, to be Incumbent of the parishes of Alvanley & Manley (0301), Norley (0310), Crowton (0317) & Kingsley (0309) in the Deanery of Frodsham, with effect from 12 May 2026.
COLLIER Stefan John
Currently Rector of the parish of Christleton (0207), in the Deanery of Chester, now also Rural Dean of the Deanery of Chester, with effect from 13 January 2026.
HOLLINGSBEE Thomas Richard
Currently Associate Vicar in the benefice of Knutsford St John the Baptist (1406) and Toft (1414), in the Deanery of Knutsford, to be to be Incumbent of the parish of Lindow (1407), in the Deanery of Knutsford, with effect from 15 April 2026.
LAWSON Sarah Anne Currently Vicar at Acton St Mary (1701) and Worleston (1720), Church Minshull (1705) and Wettenhall (1723), in the Deanery of Nantwich, to also be Honorary Canon in the seat dedicated to St Aidan, at The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary at Chester, with effect from 1 February 2026.
PIERCE-JONES Alan
Now Chaplain at HMP Thorn Cross with effect from 26 January 2026.
PIPER Jessica Ann
Currently Vicar of the parish of Stockport St Saviour (1809), in the Deanery of Stockport, to also be Rural Dean of the Deanery of Stockport, with effect from 2 February 2026.
REEVE Gillian Beatrice (Gill)
Currently Senior University Chaplain and Dean of Chapel at the University of Chester to be a Minor Canon at The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary at Chester, with effect from 1 February 2026.
RETIREMENTS
ENTICOTT Ian Peter
Currently Rector of the Parish of Congleton (St Stephen, St Peter, Holy Trinity and St John the Evangelist) (1309), in the Deanery of Congleton, retiring with effect from 30 April 2026.
WILES Roger Kenneth
Currently Vicar of the Parish of Poulton Lancelyn (0815), in the deanery of Wirral North, retiring with effect from 30 April 2026.
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.
COX Eric William (Canon)
Revd Canon Cox was ordained Deacon in Southwell Diocese in 1956 and priested in 1957, serving his curacy at St Mary Magdalene, Sutton in Ashfield (Southwell Diocese) from 1956 – 1959. He then became Assistant Chaplain in Brussels (Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe) from 1959 – 1962. Upon returning to the UK, Canon Cox moved to Chester Diocese and became Vicar of Winnington (1962 – 1971) before moving to be Vicar of Middlewich (1971 – 1976). During this time, he was also Chaplain at Leighton Hospital (1973 – 1993) and Priest-in-Charge of Byley-cum-Lees (1973 – 1976). In 1976 the parishes of Middlewich and Byley were combined and Canon Cox became the first Vicar of Middlewich and Byley-cum-Lees, Chester Diocese (1976 – 1995). He was also Rural Dean of Middlewich (1980 – 1994) and an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral (1984 – 1995). Canon Cox retired in 1995 and continued to serve with Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese (1995 – 2009). He also held Permission to Officiate in Lichfield Diocese (1996 – 2014). Died 30 July 2025.
GAISFORD +John Scott
Bishop Gaisford was ordained Deacon in Manchester Diocese in 1960 and priested in 1961 serving his first curacy at St Hilda, Audenshaw (Manchester Diocese) from 1960 – 1962. He served a second curacy at St Michael and All Angels and Hall Chapel, Bramhall in Chester Diocese from 1962 – 1965. Bishop Gaisford’s first incumbency was as Vicar at St Andrew, Crewe in Chester Diocese (1965 – 1986). During this time, he was also Rural Dean of Nantwich (1974 – 1985) and an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral (1980 – 1986). He became Archdeacon of Macclesfield in Chester Diocese (1986 – 1994), before being consecrated a Bishop in 1994, serving as Suffragan Bishop of Beverley (Provincial Episcopal Visitor) from 1994 – 2000, when he retired from the see of Beverley. During his time as Bishop of Beverley, he was also an Assistant Bishop in Ripon and Leeds Diocese (1996 – 2000). He continued to serve with Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese from 2000 and Manchester Diocese from 2004, until his death. Died 4 January 2026.
MALBON John Allin (Canon)
Revd Canon Malbon was ordained Deacon in Lichfield Diocese in 1965 and priested in 1966 serving his first curacy at St Jude, Wolverhampton (Lichfield Diocese) from 1965 – 1968. He served a second curacy at All Saints, Hoole in Chester Diocese from 1968 – 1971. Canon Malbon’s first incumbency was as Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church, Crewe (or Monks Coppenhall) in Chester Diocese (1971 – 1975), after which he became Vicar of the same parish from 1975 – 1979. Canon Malbon’s final incumbency was as Vicar of St Peter Plemstall with Guilden Sutton (1979 – 2001). During this time, he was made an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral (1996 – 2001). Following his retirement in 2001 Canon John continued to serve with Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese (2002 – 2025). Died December 2025 (exact date not known).