Rev’d Harry Latham – Our Vicar
Harry came to Stoke Poges in 1999 with wife Tracy and 5-month-old Samuel. They now have Emma, Oliver and Tim as well and are very thankful for them all. He loves preaching and teaching from the Bible, running Alpha Courses and ministering healing.
Harry is a fan of Bethel Church in Redding California and would like to see a lot more of Heaven’s influence on Earth. He likes seeing other leaders raised up, equipped and released into ministry. He has an encyclopedic memory for names, loves his family, playing golf when he plays well, meeting new people and walking and talking.
Listen to sermons by Harry here.
Rev’d Charlie Styles – Our Curate
Charlie is a fluctuating hairstyled, creative bibliophile. Known to come home with various new pets and other surprising purchases, he is a melting pot of ideas, some good, some not so much (just ask him about the rabbits!)
Charlie spent the last two years in Britwell and moved to join us as curate (trainee vicar) in September 2011. We are delighted that to make amends for his own shortcomings he brings with him his lovely wife Sophie and two gorgeous children, Zebedee and Elsbeth.
Listen to sermons by Charlie here.
Paul Elderfield – Deputy Church Warden and Deanery Synod Representative
Paul is back living again in Duffield Lane, Stoke Poges in the house where he grew up.
Paul is a hardworking husband, dad, granddad, uncle, brother, brother-in-law and friend. He doesn’t usually make a drama out of a crisis and is good at lateral thinking and problem solving. He is not so good at getting jobs done about the house and the odd job list gets longer by the week.
However, Paul gives freely of his time to the things closest to his heart – the church, his family, friends and holidays in the Greek Islands!
Martina Gardner – PCC Secretary
Martina moved to Stoke Poges 13 years ago with her husband Andrew and then 3 years later along came their pony-mad daughter Louise. Martina has been secretary of the PCC now for the past 3 years.
When she is not busy playing badminton, scrapbooking or ferrying her daughter to and from the riding stables she works part-time at East Berkshire College teaching IT.
John Wheatley – PCC Member and Deanery Synod Representative
John is a business manager, married to Alison and has three daughters – who all claim that he is far too soft and that he will allow his three grandchildren to get away with anything. I’m sure that if you need any help John is the person to ask (although if it is DIY you would be wiser to ask Alison).
John loves his family and friends, his life and our Lord.
Dermot Purcell – PCC Member
Dermot has lived in Stoke Poges for the last 10 years. Originally from Dublin, he is married to Tara and they have two children, football-mad Ryan who is 6 years old and 4-year-old Lauren who loves ballet.
Dermot is a chartered accountant from Monday to Friday and has been a member of the PCC since 2010. He recently attended an Alpha course and is now keen do more of God’s work in our community.
Nigel Lowe – Church Warden
Nigel’s stock phrase is “You can trust me, I’m a builder!”. Born ‘up North’ he now lives on the eastern borders of Stoke Poges. Has wife, various children – who have all left home, and a multitude of animals who haven’t.
Rumoured to be over 70, has yet to learn what retirement means and can be found on the roof or down the drains at the church buildings. Committed to spreading the Gospel, Nigel is involved in many aspects of the life and work of the Church in Stoke Poges.
Listen to sermons by Nigel here.
Tony Bunce – PCC Member
Tony has lived in Stoke Poges for 48 years, he is married to Anne and they have two Children: Nigel and Paula.
Although in-theory retired, he works at Brunel University in the Biological Science department and when time permits has hobbies which include DIY, woodturning and photography.
Jennifer Pickering – PCC Member
A retired schoolteacher, Jennifer’s life revolves around music. She has been a member of St. Giles for a long time and sings in the St. Giles choir as well as the Eton and Windsor Choral Society. Her husband Philip is a music teacher and a trumpet player whose parents also took an active role in the life of the church, worshipping at St. Giles for many years.
Jennifer is a member of the band of Flower Ladies which decorates St. Giles, sits on the Property committee, is a member of a Life Group and is the first to volunteer for any extra tasks that have to be done. Jennifer has a daughter Heather who is married to Martin and two grandsons Joshua and Noah.
Gaynor Houghton-Jones – Treasurer
Gaynor is a passionate Welsh woman who is addicted to books, theatre, opera and rugby and loves Rock ‘n Roll as well. She has always been involved with various churches within the Anglican faith but joined St Giles four years ago because of the warmth of the welcome received. A retired Justices’ Clerk and barrister by profession she has now amazed herself by taking on the Treasurer’s role and learning the intricacies of church accounts.
She is married to Hywel who, apart from sharing her addictions, is the star Barista of the 9 a.m. service at St Giles, the keeper of the Mothers’ Union flowerbed, a lover of graves and monuments and the host of a Life Group led by Pam Blewett. They have one son, Rhys, who lives in London.
More coming soon…
