Who's Who at the Minster

Clergy

The Rev. Canon Andrew Rowland's early career took him to The Lebanon and Nigeria. Upon returning home to the Wimborne area in 1983 he progressed to Managing Director of a privately-owned group of local companies. After taking a Degree in Theology at Surrey University through the Southern Theological Educational Training Scheme (STETS) at Sarum College, Andrew was ordained in Salisbury Cathedral as Deacon in 2001 and Priest in 2002. He served his Curacy at Verwood before being appointed Vicar of West Moors in 2005. He was appointed to the additional position of Rural Dean of Wimborne in 2016 and was installed as Rector in September 2018 and as a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral in 2019. Andrew and his wife Zahra enjoy a wide range of hobbies and interests, including gardening, cuisine and ‘planes and trains’ – Andrew is a member of Ffestiniog Railway Society and also has been active in Wimborne Model Aero Club and Wimborne Railway Society. He was formerly a chaplain to the Dorset Police and is the serving chaplain to The Great Dorset Steam Fair. He has supported local youth organisations and charities locally and has acted as a schools’ Governor since 1989. Of his work in the Minster, he says, “The past two years have flown by! My wife and I assure you of our goodwill and prayers for all and ask you to pray for us too. Our intention is to pray, serve and grow - together, for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel and furthering the Kingdom of God."

The Rev. Bill French joined the clergy team in October 2016 from his curacy at St Michael’s and all Angels In Verwood. Prior to his ordination in 2010 he saw service with the Grenadier guards and the police service. Up to the time of his ordination he was a magistrate serving on the East Dorset benches.

The Rev. Heather Waldsax as well as being an Associate Priest in Wimborne Minster, is Corporate Member [representing Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education] for Initio Learning Trust. Heather is married to John and has lived in the area for over 40 years. She retired in 2014 as an Assistant Headteacher and teacher of Religious Education after a career of 34 years in two local church secondary schools. Since then, she has been a secondary school consultant with the Diocesan Board of Education [2017-2020] and has had a role in the Diocese of Salisbury as Music in Worship Co-ordinator until 2024. She was a Trustee for the Song and Hymnwriters’ Foundation [2016-2022] and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus [2020-2024]. Heather sings in the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, and with her husband are active supporters of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and also enjoy watching rugby together.

The Rev. Canon Nigel LLoyd worked in the Wine Trade in London before going to Lincoln Theological College, taking a degree in Theology from Nottingham University. He was ordained Deacon in Salisbury Cathedral in 1981 and served his curacy at Sherborne Abbey, After three years, he moved to the Poole Deanery, where he served as incumbent of Lytchett Matravers, then St.Peter’s Parkstone with Brownsea Island, then St. John’s Broadstone. He was a School Governor for 25 years. He took over from Stephen Lake as Rural Dean of Poole. He was a Proctor in Convocation (member of General Synod) for 15 years. He was a Prebend and Canon of Salisbury Cathedral and, on retirement in 2017, he became a Canon Emeritus. He has a Lambeth Diploma in Theology, awarded for a thesis on The Doctrine of Marriage in the Church of England and he has an MA in Christian Spirituality from Winchester University. He is a woodturner, a photographer, a cook, a wine-lover, a father and a grandfather. For over 40 years he was married to Canon Jane LLoyd, Chaplain of Poole Hospital.

The Rev. Derek Butler "From a happy childhood in Kent I graduated with a degree in physics, then headed to York to train as a teacher. In the first week there a life changing moment happened and I met Heather, my future wife. After 4 years teaching physics in a boys’ public school in York, we moved to Durham for 3 years while I completed my theological training, then to Nottingham for my curacy and the arrival of our two sons. This was followed by a move to London to work for Church Pastoral Aid Society. My hobby from childhood was film making so when the offer to join BBC TV in the Children’s Education dept came, I took it. This opened the door for a 22-year career from a TV Assistant Producer to Commissioning Editor. And finally, retirement. Of these changes of direction, the most important was at the age of 17 when I committed my life to follow Jesus. Heather and I have been united in prayerfully always seeking God’s direction for our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 are verses we’ve lived by:
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’"
Elise Harding

The Rev. Elise Harding trained as a nurse in Oxford and enjoyed a varied career, culminating in disability research and service development in East Dorset. In 1991 Elise moved to Shropshire to become a Vicar's wife and trained as a Reader to work alongside Michael. Following his retirement and their move to Colehill Elise trained at Salisbury Theological College for the Ordained ministry whilst continuing to travel backwards and forwards to Tenerife. On her ordination to the priesthood she became the first woman priest with the Diocese in Europe Bishop's licence to minister in the Canary Islands, the Balearics and the Iberian peninsular. She joined the Minster Team in 2010.

The Rev. Michael Harding joined the RAF as a teenager and trained in the Supply Trade and Work Study (Time and Motion). At 30, in Aden he married Anne, a teacher - left the RAF and went to Salisbury Theological College for 4 years. After Ordination he served in various parishes, from a very urban, large one in London to a very rural six parish group in Shropshire, where his two sons grew up and sadly he was widowed. He later remarried and has a step-son and a step-daughter. Following retirement from stipendiary ministry he moved to Colehill and until a couple of years ago, he and Elise divided their time between helping the Chaplaincy in Tenerife (part of the Diocese in Europe) as well as being part of the Team at the Minster. Now Michael is completely 'Minster based' and is also able to exercise his love of history by being part of the Minster Guide team.

The Rev. Marianne Mangham Marianne comes to us from The Three Valley’s Benefice Team which covered 16 rural parish churches, and over the years she has participated in all forms of Anglican worship. Marianne completed three years theological training at Sarum College and additional ministry formation at St Georges College in Jerusalem, which Marianne recounts as being transformational. Her original background was in management accounting where she was employed by businesses, a large town church, and various Christian charities. Alongside this she volunteered as a bereavement support listener which then flourished into studying professional Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Teaching qualifications. This led to specialising in counselling children and adolescents and training adults. Over the latter years she was a Safeguarding Governor and was employed full time in both Adult and Children's Counselling Services within the NHS, Schools, FE Colleges, CAMHS and Hospices. Marianne looks forward with anticipation to the months ahead as Curate to Wimborne Minster, The Villages, Kingston Lacy and Shapwick and to the joy of working alongside us all in resurrection hope.

The Rev. Sharon Boyle originally trained as a nurse and specialised in children’s nursing. After nursing both here and abroad she married her husband, Christijan and they have two adult children. Following many years in nursing and social care, Sharon began her ministry training in 2017 at Sarum College in Salisbury. After being ordained deacon in 2020 and priest in 2021, she undertook her curacy in the Wimborne villages, with Shapwick and Pamphill, alongside working as a teaching assistant at Beaucroft special school. At the end of her curacy, Sharon joined the chaplaincy team at Salisbury Hospital and this continues to be the primary call of her ministry. She is very excited to be coming back into the villages as associate priest, giving a wonderful mix of having a foot in the world and a foot in the church. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, taking adult ballet lessons and reading.

Churchwardens

Andrew Patrick

Bruce Jensen

Music

Colin Davey, Organist and Director of Choirs. Colin's musical career has taken him from solo organ recitals at St Paul's and Westminster Cathedrals to playing piano in Soho clubs and working for the Royal Ballet School! He's also an experienced conductor and bass player. His passion is for the English choral tradition – particularly early polyphony and the music of contemporary composers. Following a period as Education Programmes Manager and Chief Examiner for the Royal School of Church Music, he now teaches Music at Bournemouth School. Colin lives in Wimborne with Heather and their two children. In his spare time he bakes bread, folds paper and supports Southampton FC.