A helpful page of pictures and biographies
Rob was born in Highgate in 1952 and although he was at the birth he claims to remember nothing about it; other than he thought it was a bit of a doddle. He went to Houndsfield Infants and Junior Schools in Edmonton, North London. He fooled his parents and the school that he passed his 11+ exam thereby getting himself a place in Ambrose Fleming Grammar School, Ponders End, Enfield.
Whilst at Ambrose Fleming he played Football for various teams and was offered a trial with Crystal Palace. Unfortunately, the trial clashed with a date with Carol from the fourth form and after weighing up the odds Rob felt he had a better chance with Carol; the only thing was that she obviously had better things to do and didn't turn up either!
After leaving school joined the R.A.F. to see the world but having been posted to R.A.F. Wyton decided that was enough and left to join the Lord Chancellor’s Dept. in the Civil Service. This was a life changing decision as it was here he met his better three quarters, Jan.
They married in 1972 and set off for a camping tour around Europe where their diet was mainly beer and sausages, even for breakfast! Shortly after their return Rob joined the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary. They thought it was better to have him as a policeman, rather than let him roam the streets where at least they could keep an eye on him. Their first proper married home was a flat at the top of Torquay Police Station.
In 1977 Rob transferred to The Metropolitan Police and served at Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, which was a bit of a bonus because as he grew up there, he knew most of the villains! Rob served on The Divisional Crime Squad and The Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Group where some idiot let him loose on a BMW 850 Motorcycle. He became a Class 1 Advanced Police Driver and Marksman. During this time Jan & Rob had two sons, Chris & Drew and he was at both their births and claimed that they were both a piece of cake as well; Jan didn’t totally agree with him.
They moved to East Croydon where Rob served at South Norwood and Norbury Police Stations where he was a Tutor Constable, Area Car Driver and Federation Rep. Rob left the force and the family moved to Ystradgynlais in Powys. Rob was Youth Worker running a Youth Club at The Gurnos. Jan and Rob were the Sunday School Teachers of St. Cynog’s Church.
Rob offered himself for ordination and The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon decided rather rashly to sponsor his ordination. He trained at St. Michael and All Angels’ Theological College, Llandaff. The family lived in the college and were well known for their parties! At the same time as training for ordination Rob was reading Divinity at University College Cardiff, part of The University of Wales. Rob wasn’t quite sure whether he majored in Hebrew and Greek or The Beano and The Dandy but whatever it was he somehow graduated with Honours in 1992, the same year he was ordained by Dewi, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon in Brecon Cathedral.
Rob served his title in a rather unusual way in that he was Assistant Curate of Brecon with Battle and Llandewi but he was also a Minor Canon in Brecon Cathedral, he has been going downhill ever since.
Rob became Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Pontypool where his minor claim to fame, apart from nearly setting the Church Hall alight was that his Bishop is now The Archbishop of Canterbury but Rob says he played no part in that. In 1997 he accepted an invitation from the churchwardens of Bressingham, Fersfield, North and South Lopham to become their Priest in Charge. They only meant him to stay a short time but he is still here having been made Rector in 2007.
Rob’s one claim to fame here is; well he’s still waiting for it. He did once write a book entitled "Diets and my great success with them!" Unfortunately it was withdrawn by the publishers before the public could get the benefits of his experience. Rob also has a gift of being able to speak any language in the world as long as it is written out phonetically for him.
Born in London, evacuated to Dickleburgh/Thelveton in 1941, attended Diss Grammar School. Returned to London after the war. After 6th form called up for National Service in 1951 and served in a Ghurkha Division with the Royal Army Medical Corps in a Field Ambulance in Malaya during the terrorist uprisings.
Attended Goldsmiths College, University of London and qualified as an English teacher. Taught at Diss Boys’ Secondary Modern School (later Diss High School) 1956 - 1993, finishing as Senior Teacher. Head of Diss Adult Education Centre 1960 - 1977. M.A. (Education) - Hull University 1979.
Lay Reader for 25 years, East Anglian Ministerial Training Course 1979 - 82, Hon. Curate to Dickleburgh, Thelveton, Frenze, Rushall and Shimpling 1983 - 88. Hon. Curate Diss 1988 - 96. Priest - in - Charge Dickleburgh Benefice 1996 -99.
Chaplain to Diss 1070 Squadron ATC, Norwich Cathedral, Diss High School, Diss British Legion Branch.
Member of Diocesan Liturgical Committee 1999 - 2004, Retirement Officer - Redenhall Deanery 2000 - 2008.
Chairman of the Friends of Diss Health Centre.
Past Offices - Vice President of Friends of Diss High School, Governor of Diss Infant School, Chairman of Diss and District British Heart Foundation and Save the Children Fund. Chairman of Diss Antiquarian Society, Chairman of Trustees of Diss Museum, President of Diss and District Rotary Club.
Married to Rene in 1954, 4 children and 8 grandchildren.