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Revd.John Morris new Vicar of The Bourne & Tilford

On the evening of 18th October 2017, the Revd.John Morris was instituted as the new Vicar of The United Benefice of The Bourne and Tilford.

Revd.John Morris

Revd. Morris has served as a Naval Chaplain with the Royal Marine Commandos in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.  He is a keen sailor and was skipper in the Royal Navy entry for the Inter-services Round-the-World race in the year 2000.  He is a Yachtmaster Examiner for the Royal Yachting Association.

John found his vocation to the priesthood after beginning his career as a scientist at the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern.  Following ordination at Brecon Cathedral, he served curacies in Swansea and rural Herefordshire, and his first incumbency also near Hereford.

After becoming a Naval Chaplain, John saw service on various ships throughout the world from Antarctica to the Arctic.  He passed Commando Training in 1996, seeing service with the Royal Marine Commandos which took him to various theatres of operation.

On leaving the Navy, John was Chaplain to Lord Wandsworth College for a brief period before joining Exeter Diocese, where he assisted in a variety of roles.

He is a keen singer and has performed at the Three Choirs Festival and with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as well as various choral societies around the country.

John Morris with Andrew Partridge

Revd Morris’ Induction and Institution took place at the church of St.Thomas-on-The Bourne on 18th October 2017.  The Institution was conducted by Bishop Jo Bailey Wells and the Induction by Archdeacon Paul Bryer.

At the reception following the proceedings, Andrew Partridge, CTF Secretary, offered Revd Morris a warm welcome on behalf of Churches Together in Farnham (picture).

John Morris is married to Gillian, a Primary School Headteacher.  They have two grown up children, Abigail and Charles.  John and Gillian have a black Labrador called Maisie.  They enjoy sailing their own boat when time permits, and cultivating their garden.

Revd.John Morris succeeded Revd.Canon Karen Hutchinson, who in October 2016 was instituted as the new Archdeacon of Norwich (more about Karen’s appointment here).

(Information and picture from Bourne Parish web-site)

St.Thomas-on-The Bourne
For the Bourne Parish web-site,
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