Richard Thorniley will retire at the end of this month after serving as Rector of Church Lench with Rous Lench & Abbots Morton & Harvington (the ARCH benefice) since 2001. Richard was also Area Dean from 2015 – 2021 and previously served his curacy in the Bowbrook benefice having moved to the Diocese in 1997 from London.
Richard said: “I felt a call to ministry following the sudden death of my father, went through the discernment process and trained at St John’s College in Nottingham. As I’d lived in London for many years, I decided to choose a curacy in a more rural area to broaden my experience. Once in the Diocese of Worcester, I found that I really enjoyed rural ministry!”
Bishop David Walker (a former Bishop of Dudley) licensed Richard to the ARCH benefice in 2001. Richard had recently run a couple of marathons and he remembers Bishop David likening parish ministry to a marathon rather than a sprint! Richard said: “Really I ought to stay another couple of years, but I’ll be turning 70 soon, so I won’t quite make it to the full marathon distance!”
As well as being the parish priest, Richard has also served at the two church primary schools in his area and over the years has built good connections in the local community.
“I have always found the job fulfilling. There has been enough change and I’ve really got to know people,” he said. “I have been part of all the major events in people’s lives, often on multiple occasions and it feels like being part of a family. I’ve also worked with two different curates who helped keep me on my toes!”
Richard has enjoyed being part of the Harvington Youth Project and has helped to run a holiday club in the parish for many years. “This included setting up an obstacle course in a nearby field which included a scramble down the bank into some water. It is always lovely to see the children look at the water nervously to start with, but then finally build up the courage to have a go – after a couple of circuits they’re proudly showing me the water marks on their legs!”
He also remembers a weekend of outreach in Evesham with the bishops, which saw Bishop Graham (another former Bishop of Dudley) climbing up a climbing wall in front of the village hall and Bishop John introducing ‘Baby Shark’ with all the actions! “I’ve got some really great memories of my time here,” said Richard.
Richard is moving to Seaford on the south coast to be closer to his children and is looking forward to having more time to go on long walks, including doing another Camino trail and a pilgrimage walk around Cornwall. “Our new home is also blessed with a little wood, so my main plans after retirement are den building and learning to whittle!”
Richard concluded: “I have really enjoyed my time in the Diocese of Worcester. It has been a marvellous place to live, but I have also appreciated the warmth of welcome and fellowship that I’ve enjoyed over the years. Being a parish priest is one of the best as well as hardest jobs you can do. I am looking forward to new adventures but will be sad to say goodbye to so many friends.”
