A Potted Biography
Born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, Paul was educated at Tiffin Boys Grammar School.
Joining Midland Bank in September 1980; he was employed at six different locations; until, following the deaths of both parents, he left full-time employment in February 2000.
The next ten years were spent mostly in concentrating on organ tuition and development, gaining the DipABRSM in Organ Performance in December 2004, and giving several recitals within the City of London.
The following ten years prioritized service to the Church of England, initially going through its’ full discernment process, before commencing training as a Reader (lay minister) in 2011, and being licensed as such in September 2014.
Sadly, the Co-vid pandemic, whose first lockdown began in late March 2020 had a considerable effect on most people – in both the financial and employment senses – as well as the loss of valued relatives, mentors, and friends. It had similar operational effects on many organisations and indeed the church; and by the time the second lockdown was lifted at the end of November 2020, the playing field had changed considerably with the various changes that had taken place. Paul had become only too aware of this in relation to the Church of England and his own parish.
The first two services which Paul led in December (and separately accompanied others as an organist) brought home to him that this period had affected him personally at a core level; and following Christmas and the New Year, a letter was sent to his Churchwardens regarding relevant matters; and contact was also made with the Diocesan Warden of Readers, the latter of whom suggested a sabbatical period of reflection be taken. During this time, it was hoped that both personal and parish matters would become clearer, and ministry could be resumed on a stronger footing.
Regrettably, two of the six areas of reflection identified during this period relating to the parish itself could not be resolved; and it was realised that the only possible action was to relinquish Reader ministry - which he did in a face-to-face meeting with his licensing bishop in June 2021.
Since that time, he has eked out an income from his organ playing duties at local churches in and around Bexhill-on-Sea, helped since July 2022 by a modest pension from HSBC. He has also written occasional articles for two parish magazines within the Bexhill Anglican community.
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His perspective in writing, thus is primarily formed within the above experience, which comprises over forty-five years as a communicant member of the Church of England, and forty years as a practising church organist. He enjoys travel when funds allow - especially in France, which he has visited in excess of twenty times.
