Priest-in-charge
Reverend Teresa Towsend
Hello from Teresa!
It is such a pleasure to say hello and to introduce myself to you. The packing boxes are nearly emptied, we think we have found most of what we thought we had brought with us and already feel at home here in Upper Clatford. The ‘we’ I speak of is me, my husband Nic and our dog, Bladon.
Nic and I have been married for thirty-three years and we have three adult children, Thom, Joe and Beth. Thom is engaged to Catherine and Joe is married to Ella who brought her daughter Eleanor into our family which has been a joy to us all.
I have spent most of my life living in the village I was born in, just south of Swindon, and our children grew up there too. My teenage years saw me heading up the hill to the parish church so that I could join the choir, quickly finding that singing was something I could do well and I stayed there for thirty-five years.
My working life has mainly been in education. I was at the same primary school from 1997 until Easter 2022. I held many roles during that time but was a classroom teacher from 2006, with RE, PSHE and Music as my subject leads at different times. I shall enjoy getting to know the children and staff at Clatford’s school in the new term and supporting the teams there.
I was a full-time teacher whilst also serving as an LLM within the parish church then taught three days a week whilst studying for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. I completed my curacy at West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze which was a diverse and interesting setting with some amazingly prayerful and encouraging people.
I enjoy all styles of worship, engaging with children in Messy Church (and similar) and supporting couples and families with their Life Events and pastoral needs. Each is an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.
Nic and I enjoy walking together with Bladon, exploring further afield when we have time off and visiting family and friends. We’re slightly daunted about having a garden larger than a postage stamp to tend but hope to develop new friendships with those who know more than us! I enjoy crocheting and can play the piano and flute – none particularly well as I don’t practice enough! I also still love to sing when I can.
I am excited about this new time and season in mine and Nic’s lives. I look forward to working alongside people, getting to know my new colleagues, congregations and communities as we begin, together, to discern the next steps for building up the kingdom of God here in this benefice and within the deanery. It is a privilege to be given this opportunity to be your priest in charge and do stop and say hello when you see me out and about in the villages.
With every blessing
Teresa
It is such a pleasure to say hello and to introduce myself to you. The packing boxes are nearly emptied, we think we have found most of what we thought we had brought with us and already feel at home here in Upper Clatford. The ‘we’ I speak of is me, my husband Nic and our dog, Bladon.
Nic and I have been married for thirty-three years and we have three adult children, Thom, Joe and Beth. Thom is engaged to Catherine and Joe is married to Ella who brought her daughter Eleanor into our family which has been a joy to us all.
I have spent most of my life living in the village I was born in, just south of Swindon, and our children grew up there too. My teenage years saw me heading up the hill to the parish church so that I could join the choir, quickly finding that singing was something I could do well and I stayed there for thirty-five years.
My working life has mainly been in education. I was at the same primary school from 1997 until Easter 2022. I held many roles during that time but was a classroom teacher from 2006, with RE, PSHE and Music as my subject leads at different times. I shall enjoy getting to know the children and staff at Clatford’s school in the new term and supporting the teams there.
I was a full-time teacher whilst also serving as an LLM within the parish church then taught three days a week whilst studying for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. I completed my curacy at West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze which was a diverse and interesting setting with some amazingly prayerful and encouraging people.
I enjoy all styles of worship, engaging with children in Messy Church (and similar) and supporting couples and families with their Life Events and pastoral needs. Each is an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.
Nic and I enjoy walking together with Bladon, exploring further afield when we have time off and visiting family and friends. We’re slightly daunted about having a garden larger than a postage stamp to tend but hope to develop new friendships with those who know more than us! I enjoy crocheting and can play the piano and flute – none particularly well as I don’t practice enough! I also still love to sing when I can.
I am excited about this new time and season in mine and Nic’s lives. I look forward to working alongside people, getting to know my new colleagues, congregations and communities as we begin, together, to discern the next steps for building up the kingdom of God here in this benefice and within the deanery. It is a privilege to be given this opportunity to be your priest in charge and do stop and say hello when you see me out and about in the villages.
With every blessing
Teresa
