Rural Issues Bishop to be new Bishop of Dover

(press release 12.10.09)

A Bishop with a keen interest in rural affairs, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott has been announced as the new Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury. Bishop Trevor, who is currently the Bishop of Basingstoke was introduced to the Diocese by the Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, at Chalkpit Farm in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury this week, following the official announcement from Downing Street on Monday 5th October.

Bishop Trevor was welcomed by farmers of the arable and hop farm Amanda and Mike Barker and their youngest son Harry who presented the Archbishop and Bishop Trevor with bouquets of Kentish hops.

Called a wise and reflective person by the Dr Rowan Williams, Bishop Trevor who is the co-editor of ‘Re-shaping Rural Ministry – a Theological and Practical Handbook’ spoke of his passion for rural affairs: “There are challenges about the sustainability of rural life, and how the church can continue to bring new life to people. This is a major issue I want to work on in my new role.”

Archbishop Rowan underlined the responsibility that the church has in supporting rural communities: “The rural community does not have all that many advocates on the national scene. The church has very strong connections in rural settings and it should understand the issues and be prepared to speak courageously about them so for this reason I really welcome this appointment.”

Bishop Trevor, who has been the Bishop of Basingstoke since 2002 but also a past chaplain in both Oslo and Naples, explained his hopes for the role: “I have a real passion for rural life. One of our challenges is how to bring rural and urban together and how we learn from each other.”

Chalkpit farm which is owned by the Church Commissioners has been farmed by Amanda Barker’s family since 1954. In 1991 Amanda and her husband set up ‘Essentially Hops’ growing hops and flowers for decoration. This enterprise plays an integral role of the whole farming business which now includes 15 acres of flowers and 4 acres of hops plus 400 acres of arable land. Recent developments have transformed redundant farm buildings into a vibrant centre of village life that now incorporates five new businesses. The yard employs at least 20 people and provides a new focal point for the village, in partnership with the church and village hall.

Asked what he was particularly looking forward to in his new role as Bishop of Dover, Bishop Trevor replied: “I find energy being in communities and I am looking forward to that. I am also looking forward to eating oysters at Whitstable, drinking fine English wine from the Weald and visiting the Hop Festival at Faversham.” Bishop Trevor concluded: “Margaret and I are both hugely looking forward to being here.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

Photo shows Bishop Trevor and his wife Margaret.
More photos available to download (including images with the Archbishop)

Further information from Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications, 01227 459401

Bishop Trevor, who in his own words was “given the gift of faith” as a teenager, by an inspiring Christian family, studied for ordained ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge after a first degree in Theology at St Peter’s College, Oxford. Following a curacy at St George’s Norton in St Alban’s Diocese, Bishop Trevor worked in Chaplaincy roles in Oslo then Naples in the Diocese of Europe, and as Officiating Chaplain to H.M. and American Forces in Southern Europe, before returning to England as Rector of Ecton and Warden of Peterborough Diocesan Retreat House; a role he held from 1983-1989.

From 1986 to 1997 Bishop Trevor was Peterborough Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Diocesan Director of Post Ordination Training. He was made Canon Residentiary and Precentor of Peterborough Cathedral in 1989. In 1997 he became Archdeacon of Durham and Canon Residentiary of Durham Cathedral, and in 2002 was consecrated as Bishop of Basingstoke.

During his seven years as the suffragan Bishop of Basingstoke, Bishop Trevor has taken a lead in the areas of social reform, criminal justice and rural affairs, as well as taking particular pastoral responsibility for churches in the North of the Diocese of Winchester. He has been a founding Trustee of the social welfare charity Hampshire Community Foundation and a founding Trustee of Emmaus Hampshire – a charity that cares for the homeless. Bishop Trevor is also the Co-editor of ‘Re-shaping Rural Ministry – a Theological and Practical Handbook’ – which will be published later this year by SCM.

Bishop Trevor has many national church responsibilities and was elected to the Upper House of the Convocation in the Province of Canterbury in 2005 and is a member of the Business Committee of the Church of England's General Synod.

Bishop Trevor is married to Margaret, who works as a school finance consultant. They have one grown up daughter, Elizabeth, a Hydrogeologist who lives in Bristol.