IN June, Dominic Doble will be joining the team at Holy Cross, Crediton as assistant curate. He will also be curate at Shobrooke, Sandford and Upton Hellions.

Prior to training for ministry, Dominic used to try to direct people on the right path and resolve trespasses. He was one of the managers in the Footpath Maintenance Team for Cambridgeshire County Council! This job built on experience with government farm grant schemes and wildlife charities, and degrees from Wye and Wales.

Long before, whilst working as a self-employed gardener in North Wales, Dominic distinctly felt the call to Anglican ordination.

Although he was then regularly drumming in the worship team of a Free Church, his faith journey had begun as a chorister at Holy Trinity, Cookham. At school he had been Baptist!

Due to periodic work in various parts of the England and Wales, it took Dominic several years to successfully get through the full selection process and begin training.

However, the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, has been Dominic's home for the last two years. He chose it partly due to its connections with the Community of the Resurrection. Historically, it was renowned for its Gospel preaching, liturgy promotion and social action in the WWI trenches, South Africa and elsewhere.

Current policy is to encourage ordinands to train at the college by removing some of what are felt to be the more austere features of its common life. Yet it was the established cassock wearing ritual at the Daily Office, Eucharist and meals and the bar-free sobriety that appealed to Dominic when he visited as a prospective student.

Dominic will be moving to Crediton in June having completed a Leeds BA in Theology and Pastoral Studies.

Initially, he will be licensed as a Lay Minister and has been asked by Bishop Bob to focus on getting to know how the congregations in the benefice interact with the people and the place round about.

The Rector, Rev Nigel Guthrie will be introducing him at Holy Cross on June 20 and at Sandford and Shobrooke the following week.

On September 12 Dominic will be ordained Deacon at Exeter Cathedral's 10am service.

He is keen to get involved with us and our communities. Apart from church, he is interested in choral and folk music as well as growing and preparing food and drink.

He expects to be able to volunteer for practical wildlife conservation work occasionally. After all he is qualified to use a chainsaw!

Dominic also enjoys the outdoors as a walker, cyclist and rower.

We look forward to welcoming him!

Bill Jerman