People Update – September 2026
PARISH
NEW PRIEST-IN-CHARGE FOR BILSTHORPE & EAKRING
Revd Dr David Emerton to be Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Bilsthorpe & the Benefice of Eakring. David will be licensed on 13th September at 6pm at St Andrew’s Eakring. Please join us in praying for David as he steps into this new role.
NEW MISSION ASSOCIATE IN CHILWELL BENEFICE
Revd Claire Tufnell at present Curate in the Benefice of Chilwell has become Assistant Curate (known as Mission Associate) of the Benefice of Chilwell. This role is funded locally by Chilwell PCC.
NEW MISSION ASSOCIATE IN CHILWELL BENEFICE
Revd Ryan Mellor at present Curate in the Benefice of Chilwell has become Assistant Curate (known as Mission Associate) of the Benefice of Chilwell. This role is funded locally by Chilwell PCC.
JUBILEE HOUSE
Revd Jim Prestwood has joined the central support team at Jubilee House as Associate Archdeacon. Jim works alongside the Archdeacons to provide practical ministry support and guidance for parishes, working with clergy and other key leaders to review priorities and help develop areas of ministry in our commitment to Growing Disciples of Christ in the diverse setting across the Diocese. Jim has a particular focus on helping benefices in vacancy or in times of transition. This role is enabled through generous funding from the national church.
Danielle Brown has joined the central support team at Jubilee House as Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Danielle joins the diocesan safeguarding team and is a qualified Probation Officer, working in the Probation Service from 2001 to 2022, most recently as a Senior Probation Officer in Nottingham. She then worked at De Montfort University as a Senior Lecturer, leading the Risk Assessment, Management and Public Protection module. She also brings significant experience from parish life, having served in several capacities including as a PCC member.
Emma Prothero has joined the central support team at Jubilee House as a Caseworker in the safeguarding team. Emma’s background predominantly involves working within various roles in policing, including as a Response Officer and working in neighbourhood policing. More recently, Emma has also worked within the education sector in a pastoral and safeguarding role.
Soroush Ariana has joined the central support team at Jubilee House as Data Analyst. Soroush leads on the systems and processes that track and report progress across the Church Growth Programme and diocesan strategy, and acts as diocesan lead for statistics, data quality and the diocesan Contact Management System. He works closely with parishes and colleagues across the diocese to ensure data supports strategic decision-making as we seek to Grow Disciples with Compassion, Confidence and Courage. This role is enabled through generous funding from the national church.
Lyndy Ackerley has joined the central support team at Jubilee House as East Bingham and Gedling Deanery Administrator. As Deanery Administrator, Lyndy plays a vital role in supporting the Deanery and advancing the Diocesan vision of Growing Disciples of Christ with compassion, confidence, and courage. Through efficient administration and the provision of high-level administrative and executive support to the Area Dean, the Deanery Leadership Teams and Standing Committees (DLT/SC), and the wider Deanery, she helps ensure the effective delivery of the Deanery’s mission and priorities.
OBITUARIES
The Revd. Graham Burton, a retired Priest living in Hyson Green died on 8th July 2026, aged 80. Graham was ordained Deacon in 1971 and Priest in 1972 and served his curacy at St. Christopher’s, Leicester in the Diocese of Leicester (1971-1975) and then at St. John’s, Southall Green in the Diocese of London (1975-1979). Graham moved to serve the Church Missionary Society in Pakistan where he was Vicar of St. Thomas’ Church, Islamabad from 1980-1992. Graham returned to the UK to the Southwell and Nottingham Diocese and became Priest in Charge of St. Leodegarius, Basford with Hyson Green (1992-1998) and was then Priest in Charge of St. Stephen, Hyson Green and Forest Fields (1998 until 2001). Graham was appointed as Director of the Rainbow Project in Nottingham in 2001, also serving as Associate Priest at St. Stephen, Hyson Green and Forest Fields. Graham retired in 2007 and served with Permission to Officiate until 2022. In 2019, Graham was presented with the Lambeth Award in recognition of international reconciliation. Graham died on 8th July 2026; he leaves a widow Gillian and two adult children.
The Venerable Ian Gatford, a retired Priest living in Derby died on 18th July 2026, aged 86. Ian was ordained Deacon in 1967 and Priest in 1968 in the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. He served his curacy at what was then known as Clifton with Glapton from 1967-1971, becoming Team Vicar of Clifton Holy Trinity, St. Francis and St. Mary the Virgin until 1975. Ian then became Vicar of Sherwood, St. Martin from 1975 until 1984. Ian moved to the Diocese of Derby where he was Canon Residentiary at Derby Cathedral, 1984-1999, becoming the Archdeacon of Derby and Honorary Canon of Derby Cathedral in 1993 until 2005. Ian retired in 2005 and served with Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Derby until 2026. Ian died on 18th July 2026; he leaves a widow Anne and adult children.