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Rev Philip Wagstaff - Superintendent Minister based at Okehampton

Philip writes, "I was born in Kidderminster in Worcestershire and was brought up there, going to church at the Anglican Parish Church of St George's. After going to Manchester University I explored the possibility of ordained ministry within the Methodist Church but had to learn about Methodism first! In order to do this I worked with the Methodist Church in Bamber Bridge near Preston for two years in a new housing village at Clayton Brook which was part of Central Lancashire New Town. Catherine and I went to Ramsey in Cambridgeshire for a year when I looked after three chapels including two very rural ones, which sparked off my interest and involvement in rural ministry. After going to college at Queens in Birmingham for three years, during which time Stephen was born, we moved to Wimbotsham near Downham Market for five years during which time Rebecca was born, and then onto Harwich in Essex for ten years (five as Superintendent), both very different rural circuits, before coming to Okehampton to be Superintendent of the West Devon Circuit in 2001. Since then, I have been involved with community and church groups including the Okehampton Area Market and Coastal Towns Initiative and Christians Together in Okehampton, Chagford and Devon. I am currently chair of the local St John Ambulance in Okehampton, Devon Heartlands Community Forum and Devon Rural Network as well as being a committee member of local community groups. In the circuit I have pastoral responsibility of 9 chapels directly but value the welcome that I receive in all the chapels across the Circuit."

Philip can be contacted at 01837 52302 or by email.

Rev John Leach - based at Hatherleigh

John Leach was born and brought up in rural south Staffordshire into a background of farming and railways. After leaving school he worked on the railway and in museums before entering the Methodist ministry. John is married to Margaret and they have one son, James, who is a Civil Engineer. John's interests are DIY, gardening, local history and walking.

John can be contacted at 01837 810591 or by email.

Rev John Peak - p/t minister based at Northlew

John came originally from Sussex, from a non - farming background, but has since spent most of his life farming or working in the related trades, until, after a 3 year period working part time as a minister, he entered full time ministry in 2000 as minister in the Northlew section of the circuit.

As he has recently reached the grand old age of 65 John has chosen to work half time, (usually over the early part of the week), and hopes to be able to continue in this role for several years yet.

John is married to Elaine, and they have two married daughters, Hazel (married to Eamonn) & Judith (married to Richard) plus three grandchildren, James, Ben & Jasmine. They also have a beautiful spaniel called Lucy.

John can be contacted at 01409 221252 or by email.

Rev Meg Slingo - p/t minister based at Shebbear

Meg Slingo has worked part-time in West Devon Circuit since 2009, starting as a Probationer Methodist Minister and then being ordained in 2011. She also works in the adjoining Bideford and Shebbear Circuit along with her husband Graham. Their home is in the rural village of Shebbear, where The Bible Christian Society was founded. Meg was born in London, but moved to Cornwall when she was thirteen years old. She lived in Cornwall for twenty nine years, where she was actively involved in church life. In 2004 Meg and Graham moved to Bristol where they both studied at Wesley College before moving to Devon. They have a son who works in Holsworthy and a daughter who lives and works in Exeter.

Meg can be contacted at 01409 281262 or by email.

Rev Graham Warmington - p/t minister based at Winkleigh

After twenty years as a Primary School Teacher in the East Midlands, and fifteen years as a Baptist Minister in Wiltshire, Graham joined the Ministry Team in the summer of 2009 on a part-time basis, serving mainly in the Winkleigh area which is now his home along with his wife, Sue, who retired from full-time teaching just prior to the move.

As well as enjoying being back in Devon (a Cornishman by birth, Plymouth was his childhood home), Graham includes reading and family history amongst his hobbies; as well as dog-walking (in fine weather) and being with his family. Graham and Sue have two grown-up children: Jonathan, who is married to Laura, and lives in Westbury, Wiltshire; and Joanne who is married to Matthew, and lives at Yateley in Hampshire. They have two grandchildren, William and Chloe.

Graham can be contacted at 01837 83574 or 07759725227 or by email.

Mr Kevin Down - Circuit Youth Worker

A locally bred and reared lad! "Putting this into priority I'm loved by God and follow Jesus, I'm married and have three delightful children. Then I'm employed as the youth worker for the circuit.

I have the joy of calling this my job and I love what I do and would do it in my spare time anyway. Growing up in Iddesleigh, being allowed to get involved in the life and work of the chapel and youth groups and in my late teens helping to run Stowford Camp (our local youth camp) and becoming very active among the youth work across the circuit I realised the joy and fulfilment in journeying with young people as we explore faith together.

I went on to study youth work and achieved a degree in 2005 in 'Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology'. Working whilst studying in Wincanton, Somerset for an ecumenical project called the Linx Project which works with secondary schools to support and minister to the students.

The aim of my work here is to network the young people from across our large rural circuit and to make our chapels and the Love of God welcoming and in truth challenging to young people."

Kevin can be contacted at 01837 811035 or 07886927111 or by email.

Mr Ian Trenaman - Circuit Steward

Ian Trenaman lives at Hatherleigh and farms 220 acres. He is married to Janet and they have three children. He is the senior steward and a treasurer at Hatherleigh Methodist Church. He is also well known within the local community, where he supports various groups and committees. These include being a Town Councillor, the Chairman of Hatherleigh Moor Committee, a trustee of the Sportsfield and also a trustee of Hatherleigh Parochial Charities.

Ian can be contacted at 01837 810776

Mr David James - Circuit Steward

David was born in Devon and has lived here all his life. He is the son of Ronald James, a former Circuit Steward. He lives at Stowford near Halwill with his wife Ruth on a dairy farm which they run in partnership with son Andrew and daughter-in-law Rachael. He also has a small building business, which undertakes new builds, repairs, renovations etc. Besides Andrew, they also have two married daughters, Rachel and Avril and altogether nine grandchildren.

David is a member of Eworthy Methodist Church where he is property Steward. He is also a local preacher. He has been a member of the circuit meeting and involved with circuit life for several years.

David can be contacted at 01409 221721 or by email

Mr Edgar Hucker - Circuit Treasurer

Edgar Hucker together with his wife Frances and son Julian are members of South Zeal Methodist Church. Edgar is a local preacher, organist and circuit treasurer and has spent his working life in accountancy and administration. Frances, who worked for many years at the local post office, is the circuit representative for N.C.H. Action for children, and Julian, who has a wholefood shop in Okehampton is the circuit treasurer of the Methodist Church Fund for Property. Frances and Edgar also have a daughter, Rev. Michelle Ireland, who is a Minister in the North East Somerset and Bath Circuit. She is married to Mark who is a very talented organist giving concerts at various locations including, usually, an annual visit to Northern Ireland!

Edgar can be contacted at 01837 840347

Miss Sandra Trenaman [Circuit Administrator & Circuit Meeting Secretary]

Sandra Trenaman is a member of Hatherleigh Methodist Church, where she is the leader of the Sunday Club. When she left school, she trained as a teacher at Southlands College, Wimbledon and subsequently taught in Devon Primary schools for 30 years. Sandra's interests include craftwork, gardening, flower arranging, singing and playing the piano.

Sandra can be contacted at 01837 810459 or by email