Mattishall and Tudd Valley Churches

I was ordained as an Ordained Local Minister in 2002. Although I lead services throughout the benefice, I focus my ministry on the smaller churches of the benefice. I am passionate about prayer and helping young people to learn more about the Bible and Jesus and our links with our local school are very important to me.

I have lived all of my life in Norfolk. Home is in Yaxham with husband Colin, who used to be a local builder, and our two dogs Anser and Lily. We have a son and daughter, both married and we now have three grandchildren who bring us great joy.

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!).

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 became a Christian as a teenager. She was licensed as a Lay Minister ( Reader) in 2017 and has attended All Saints Mattishall since 1999 when she moved to Norfolk with her family. She lived in Mattishall until 2018 when they relocated to a nearby village but continued to feel called to minister in the Mattishall and Tud Valley Benefice. She worked as a Speech and Language Therapist until 2016 and now works for the Alzheimer's Society as a Dementia Adviser. She has two grownup children, one currently living in Australia. She enjoys running, reading and going to the theatre.