This is our team, it is our job to help and guide Griff in running St Ben’s, we form this church’s council (often known as the PCC). We are rather like the governing bodies found in schools, that support their headteachers in running their school.
Marion Angus
Marion Angus
I am Marion and have been coming to St Benedict's church for just over 30 years. I actually moved to Hunsbury because I felt welcome at the church! I have retired four times so far but still work part time in education and I am involved in Tots and Toddlers and Junior church at St Benedict's. I have had many roles over the years but my current interests are in making the church more eco friendly and in helping to organise events. My two daughters have blessed me with ten wonderful grandchildren now aged from 11 to 23 years so my life remains very busy. I also keep hens and call all three of them Mrs Brown!
Marta Brothers
Hola, I’m Marta a proud Peruvian who is the Pioneer Curate of St Benedict’s. I was born in Lima and my family and I moved to England as missionaries. I have moved around a lot (mainly down south). I have three incredible children and an amazing husband Danny, who is from Northampton and a massive cobblers fan (and podcaster!). I love sports and play netball and hockey when I can. I also love music especially going to gigs and festivals!
Julie Creasey
Julie Creasy
Hello, I’m Julie, I have been part of St Ben’s for over 10 years. I am retired now, but used to be a dance teacher and owned my own dancing school. I belong to the Church Council and enjoy being an active member of this fun church. I have a lovely Bejou Frise called Teddy who is a loved but lively member of our church. There’s always something going on at St Ben’s and there is always someone here to talk to.
Norman Critchlow
Norman Critchlow
Hello, I am Norman, a retired Chartered Accountant, who as well as being on the Deanery Synod for the last nine years have also been the Northampton Deanery Treasurer and a now-retired member of the Peterborough Diocesan Board of Finance. I am very interested in the sustainability of the church and have brought my general business expertise to financial debates within both the Deanery and the Diocese. I have also acted as PCC Secretary at St Benedict's from 2015 to 2022, before 'passing the baton' to a much younger member of the congregation(!), who has previous experience in that role.
Pete Davie
Peter Davie
Hi, I’m Pete and I’ve recently joined the St. Benedict's PCC team, hoping to inspire positive change and get more people involved in our ministries. My wife and I have two kids, ages 15 and 12, who are passionate about sports, so juggling church and club matches is always a challenge! But we believe it’s important to help them find the right balance and understand the importance of faith, while giving them space to make their own choices. I’m also keen to grow in my own faith, and I believe being part of St. Benedict’s will help me do just that. I look forward to meeting more of you at our services and youth activities. See you around soon!
Juliette Dunkley
Juliette Dunkley
I am Juliette Dunkley. I have been married to Keith for 53 years. We have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. After a career in education, latterly as a Head Teacher, we moved to West Hunsbury in 2013. On our first visit to St. Benedict’s we received such a warm welcome that we have been regular attendees ever since. I am on the PCC, run the monthly cafe and am Branch Leader of the Mothers’ Union. I am coming to the end of my second term as a Diocesan Trustee of the MU.
Keith Dunkley
Keith Dunkley
I am Keith Dunkley. My wife Juliette and I have been living in St. Benedict’s Parish for 10 years following our move from Lincolnshire in 2013. In my working life I have had a variety of jobs including product development, insurance and, latterly, hygiene in a food factory. Because Juliette and I have had busy lives, we were not able to attend church regularly. However, within two weeks of moving to West Hunsbury, we visited St. Benedict’s for Sunday Communion and were made that welcome, we have made it our Church and are happy to be part of its family.
Catherine Galvin
Catherine Galvin
I am Catherine. I have been parishioner here at St. Bens for 30+yrs. most likely before most of our parishioners were born. I am happily married to Bob for 45yrs with one son Robert a beautiful daughter in law Diane and 2 grandchildren Ben and Jodie both grown up. My passion is my faith and my love for Jesus. I serve our Lord on Worship committee, PCC and I lead intercessions some Sundays, serve on our prayer group. I’m church administrator looking after church emails on admin@stbens.uk. I am also the branch secretary of Mothers Union chapter here at St B’s.
Rev Griff
Rev Griff
Hi, I’m Griff or as most prefer, Rev Griff, though Father Griff, still makes me giggle, as I think of Father Brown solving murders! I was invited to lead St Benedict’s church from May 2021. In Christian terms, “I believe God called me to this church, and this parish’ to help in God’s plan to refresh & re-invigorate the mission of his followers.” I’m married to Rowena and have 2 grown up daughters, I’m more than happy to chat with anyone, as I might get a word in! Oh and if ever you are out walking around the Iron age fort and see 2 dog collars, one on a man, with a multi-coloured hat (it’s my fav), the other will be on our dog Crumble, do stop me for a chat.
Mike Grant
Mike Grant
Hi, I’m Mike, and I have been part of St Ben’s for 8 years now. I was born in Bristol, hence I can be spotted by my Bristolian accent. I have been in teaching for 28+ years, though I am now retired. I am a step grandfather, a step-parent with two children in their 40’s (!) and a son who is 25. My pet cat is called Blue, but that’s another story. I am St Ben’s Webmaster, and also responsible for caring for our Memorial Garden - I can often be seen wandering around church wielding a hoe! I belong to our ECO group too.
Jacqueline Hughes
Jacqueline Hughes
Hello, my name is Jacqueline Hughes and I have been a part of St Benedict’s for quite some time. I am the lead guider of St Benedict’s Rainbows/Brownies/Guides/Rangers. There are about 70 girls who come to our meetings.
I am also a teacher at Hunsbury Park Primary School although all of my teaching takes place outside. I am known as Mrs Forest as I teach Forest School. I am also the school’s Educational Visit Coordinator, responsible for writing/checking risk assessments. I also organise our school residentials and many day visits.
I have 5 children, 4 in-laws and 6 grandchildren! Grandchildren are a wonderful gift!
I have two dogs: Cookie aged 14, who we re-homed as a rescue 13 years ago. He is the most perfect dog who loved coming to work with me. Nowadays he loves napping! Betsy was re-homed last year and is nearly 2. She did not have an easy early life so training is ongoing! She is very noisy…poor Cookie does not bark so it has been very different settling her in.
I love reading whodunnits but nothing too scary!
Alison Marlow
Alison Marlow
St. Benedict's has been part of my life for over 25 years. I'm originally from Leicester but moved to Northampton for my first job 40 years ago and never left! I've lived in West Hunsbury with my husband since the early 90s and all our children were baptised at the church. I have five of them - four sons in four cities and a daughter (plus two gorgeous grandsons) who live closer to home. I trained as a journalist and now work in a hospital communications team. This is my second stint as churchwarden and I hope to help keep St. Benedict's at the welcoming and friendly heart of our community. Outside of church, I love both reading and writing fiction and being out in the beautiful green spaces of our parish with my now rather elderly dog!
Onyi Ndefo
Onyi Ndefo
Hi, I’m Onyi, and I have been part of St Ben’s for 10 years since moving with my family from London. I am Nigerian, and I am very proud of my African heritage. I work as a pharmacist within the NHS. I am a wife and a mom of two. My son is 18 and my daughter is 16. You’ll find me reading an interesting novel in my spare time or listening to a good podcast. I also enjoy going for walks to help me stay fit. I am one of St Ben’s Deanery Synod representatives.
Mike Grant
Hi, I’m Mike, and I have been part of St Ben’s for 8 years now. I was born in Bristol, hence I can be spotted by my Bristolian accent. I have been in teaching for 28+ years, though I am now retired. I am a step grandfather, a step-parent with two children in their 40’s (!) and a son who is 25. My pet cat is called Blue, but that’s another story. I am St Ben’s Webmaster, and also responsible for caring for our Memorial Garden - I can often be seen wandering around church wielding a hoe! I belong to our ECO group too.
Carolyn Runc
Carolyn Runc
I am Carolyn, and I am the Treasurer. I also help with the church flowers. My hobbies are walking my dog - often with the help of my granddaughter - and gardening and reading.
Connie Thomas
Connie Thomas
Hi, I am Constance, I have been a member of St Benedict's for the past 32 years. I have been involved with the Junior Church team here at St Benedict for about 28 years. More recently in 2017 I took on the responsibility for planning and organisation of the Sunday School together with starting our Youth Fellowship programme that ran for 6 and a half years. Alongside my work with the young people, I also like to arrange various quizzes which usually turn out successful in helping to raise funds for the church.
Richard Warr
Richar Warr
Hi, I'm Richard and have been a member of St Benedict's for 37 years fifteen of which I was a church warden. I am currently a Deanery synod representative for the church, Parish Gift Aid Officer, Editor of the St Benedict's News and chief mower of the church lawns. I am married and have three grown up children all of whom attended St Benedict's. By profession I am an electrical engineer, now semi retired, school Governor of a local primary school and member of Rotary in Northampton.
Paula White
Paula White
I’m Paula, as well as an LPM and Street Pastor, I am a Nurse and midwife. I am a trained yoga teacher and I love nature, the seaside and being outdoors, enjoying walks with my 2 dogs and I have a very old cat too! I am a mum to my grown up daughter Emma who lives with me. On 1st May 2023, I married my lovely Julian at St Benedict’s Church, it was a wonderful day of love and celebration, shared with our close family and friends and everyone from St Ben’s. We enjoyed refreshments and cake in our hall after our beautiful and spiritual wedding ceremony.
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”