02/05/21 New Vicar Announcement

We are delighted to announce that St Michael's has selected its new vicar!

From a very strong field of applicants, we have appointed the Reverend Richard Dashwood.

We will share further content about Fr Richard in the coming weeks, but you can learn a little about him by reading his introductory message to the people of Kirkham (shared in this morning's service):

Very best wishes to everyone at St Michael's. My name is Richard Dashwood and I am delighted to have been offered the post of Vicar of Kirkham. From my first hearing of the vacancy, I was interested and as I read and researched the role, I became convinced that this was the right parish for me. Your parish profile showed that a great deal of good work has been and is being done at St Michaels. Moreover I was inspired by the vision that you have for the future. It was a joy to visit the church and the town on the day of my interview and a pleasure to meet a number of you. I look forward to meeting you all soon. 

Since you may be interested to know a little bit about me I shall share a few details. I am 33 years old. I am married to Hannah, who is a nursery teacher. I am currently the curate of the parish of St Thomas' Moorside in Oldham in the Diocese of Manchester. I trained for ordination at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield. Prior to my ordination I was a music teacher. My main instrument is the piano and my wife, whom I met at university is a classically trained soprano. I love cricket though I am rather bad at it. I love going for long walks especially with our husky dogs. I have a great love for India, a country I have visited several times to do voluntary work with a number of different Christian charities. 

  That's a very basic autobiography for now. I hope that my licensing won't be too far away but until then please be assured that I shall keep St Michaels in my prayers. Please do keep Hannah and me in yours. God bless you all.

Fr Richard

We are very thankful to, and humbled by, all who applied. We are keeping them in our prayers as their journey in ministry continues.

Our interview day (23rd April) was a great day for St Michael's. Our thanks go to all involved, and to the whole church family, who help to make St Michael's such a good "catch". We look forward to exciting times ahead.