Mattishall and Tudd Valley Churches

Alan became a Christian while studying Natural Sciences at university when he was dragged along to a discussion group by a friend. A turning point came when they looked at what happened the first Good Friday and Easter Day. Eventually he found it took more "faith" to believe that Jesus was not who he claimed to be than accept his claims about himself. Rather falteringly, he started out on what has become a life of following Jesus Christ.

Alan became a Licensed Lay Minister (aka LLM, aka Reader) in 2013 and, amongst other things, looks after the home groups in the benefice (leading two of them), heads up the monthly Who Let The Dads Out? group and organises the monthly men's breakfast, which is a time for good food (full English breakfast) and witty banter . He is also one of the churchwardens at All Saints, Mattishall, along with Sue, his wife.

He was born in Hellesdon near Norwich and, apart from a gap year and university, has lived and worked in Norfolk all his life, working for a chemical company for 24 years and from 2024 ran his own small software business. He retired from that job in April 2024. In March 2024 he was appointed Bishop's Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers (BAFLLM or baffle 'em!). However, he has now stood down from that role, largely to concentrate more on the benefice itself.

I was gloriously saved at the age of 36, and have since been on an amazing adventure with the Lord Jesus Christ, serving Him in India and also in Hampshire from where I moved to Norfolk in 2020.  I have a heart for mission and also to encourage people to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. 

I am an Authorised Worship Assistant (AWA) in the Benifice  which enables me to lead services and do talks, lead Quiet Mornings and I also lead a growing and vibrant homegroup. I am also a Spiritual Director. 

My background is in family liaison and emotional literacy and I recently had the huge privilege of being the Lollipop Lady in Mattishall!

I have two married children and two wonderful grandchildren. I enjoy going on adventures with friends and family in my VW camper, country walks, zip wiring, canoeing and cake! 

I was licensed in 2013 and had a brilliant day at the Cathedral with my fellow candidates, family and supporters.

Until 2022 I was in a full time job but left to look after an expanding family, now two grandchildren and two mothers and work more within the church.  My life has settled into a good routine and the change is jobs has brought much joy to myself and my husband, for which I give thanks to God.

Mel has been a Licensed Lay Minister since 2017. She worked for many years in the NHS  as a Speech and Language Therapist before becoming a Dementia Advisor. She recently retired from this role but continues to volunteer for the Alzheimer's Society. She is married and has two grown-up children. Her daughter currently lives at home between spells of travelling, living and working in far flung places. Mel's daughter has inspired her to travel and also to run. Recent injuries have curtailed the running, so Mel is spending more time in the less energetic pursuits of reading and going to the theatre.