People Update - November 2026 - Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham

People Update – November 2026

PARISH

NEW PRIEST-IN-CHARGE FOR IDLE & SANDS

Revd Nigel Stones at present Curate at St Anne’s Worksop with Norton Cuckney to be Priest-in-Charge (known as Mission Associate) of the Benefice of The Idle and Sands, Retford, part of the Riverfold Rural Cluster. Nigel will be licensed on 9th November at 7pm. Please pray for Nigel as he prepares for this move.

NEW VICAR FOR CALVERTON

Revd Esther Hutchinson at present Team Vicar at Clifton Parish, to be Vicar of the Benefice of Calverton. Esther will be licensed on Sunday 10th January at 6pm. Please pray for Esther as she prepares for this move.

NEW VICAR FOR GAMSTON & BRIDGFORD

Revd Jonny Lowe at present Curate of the Parish of Guildford Emmanuel, St Francis ad St Clare and Interim Priest in Charge at St John the Baptism Windlesham in the Diocese of Guildford, to be Vicar of the Benefice of Gamston and Bridgford in this diocese. Jonny will be licensed on Monday 18th January at 7pm. Please pray for Jonny as he prepares for this move.

OBITUARIES

The Revd. Canon Athony John (Tony) Kerswell, a retired Priest living in Retford died on 30th September 2026, aged 87. Tony was ordained Deacon in 1973 and Priest in 1974 and began his ministry as Curate at Holy Cross and St. Helen’s, Boultham in the Diocese of Lincoln. Tony then became Priest in Charge of All Saints, Cadney and All Hallows, Kelsey North (1976-1983), Vicar of St. George, Gainsborough (1983-1991) and Vicar of All Saints, Bracebridge (1991-2000), additionally serving as Rural Dean. Tony was Priest in Charge at St. Swithin’s, Lincoln (2000-2001) and then Vicar at All Saints, Lincoln until 2005, additionally Canon and Prebendary at Lincoln Cathedral during this period. In 2005, Tony moved to the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham to be the Chaplain at Trinity Hospital in Retford. Tony retired in 2012 and served with Permission to Officiate until 2020; during retirement the focus of his ministry was with churches in Retford. The funeral was held on Thursday 22nd October at 11am, at Nettleham All Saints, led by the Bishop of Lincoln.