Meet The Team

Parish Priest

Rev Rachael Brooks

Hi, I’m Rachael, married to Andrew, with one adult son, Isaac. I love reading, watching all kinds of TV programmes, discussing books with my book group, walking, body boarding when waves and holidays allow, eating and enjoying food with friends and family.

I’m a former Junior school teacher and then Special Educational Needs support teacher. After a long gap when I did a range of voluntary work – church warden, college and then Council House Chaplain – while being an at-home Mum, I began training for ordination at St Hild College, at their Sheffield site each Monday, with residential weekends several times a year.

I then served as a curate at St Peter’s, Littleover, learning from my fabulous training incumbent, Rev’d Alicia Dring. Covid hit just as my training finished and my curacy started, so I’ve done a lot of my learning in ‘interesting times’, but it’s all been a valuable experience.

Moving to work in this group of parishes with Rev Sarah has been great. I love that I can put my experience to date to good effect and follow Jesus here, encouraging all who wish to, to follow him with me and go deeper into the adventure that is life with him, serving and loving our local communities.

Churchwarden, St Matthew's

David Brierley

David Brierley is a Churchwarden at St Matthew's. He became warden just before Peter and Julie arrived in 2016. David and his wife Rita have lived in the parish for 30 years. He is heavily involved at Darley Abbey Cricket club and has a long connection with the scout group. David and Rita volunteer at the Derby Churches Winter Night - shelter. He still runs a few races and grows wonky veg!

Parish Priest

Rev Sarah Watson

Sarah was licensed as priest in charge to the parishes of St Nick’s, St Paul's, St Edmund's & St Matthew’s, alongside her colleague Rev Rachael Brooks, in Jan 2024. She had lived in the area for many years with St Matthew’s as her sending church for ordination.

Before ordination Sarah taught Religious Studies having studied Theology at Durham University, PE was her second subject. She taught at Bluecoat Academy in Nottingham a Church of England comprehensive, and was involved with chaplaincy and Christian distinctiveness team. She served on leadership teams in several churches.

Sarah trained at St. Hild College, gaining an MA in Theology & Ministry with her research based on mission & chaplaincy within church schools. She has a particular interest in Entrepreneurial Mission and Fresh Expressions. She was curate in the Walbrook Epiphany Team in Normanton, then, enabling minister of a church plant at St Philip in Chaddesden.

Sarah is Area Dean for Derby City, and serves on Diocesan Synod and the Board of Education.

Sport is her passion, playing university football and cricket, and basketball and hockey for local clubs. Now she's a social tennis player and gym goer. She is chaplain to Derbyshire Tennis. Sarah watches football, supporting her family team and adopting Derby County.

She enjoys meals out with friends. She is also a self-confessed coffee snob so the golden rule is proper coffee or a cup of tea!

Churchwarden, St Edmund's

Ann Miller

Ann Miller has lived in Allestree since 1971 and has been a church warden at St Ed’s since May 2024. A former teacher, she enjoys music, theatre, gardens, the countryside and spending time with family and friends.

Churchwarden, St Edmund's

Paul Smith

Paul Smith is a Churchwarden at St Edmund's, Allestree. Living in Crich, he and his wife Kate have worshipped here since 1989 and both enjoy singing in the choir. Paul recently retired as editor of a national health and safety newsletter. He started his career as a trainee HM Inspector of Factories, became director of a risk consultancy, and more recently worked as Head of Safety, Health and Environment at E.ON's Engineering Academy in Nottingham. He's a keen recorder player and a member of several local consorts. A life-long biker, he's a Trustee of the charity Derbyshire Blood Bikes.

Lay Reader, St Matthew's

Clive Lemmon

Clive Lemmon was first admitted as a Reader (in St Alban’s Diocese) in 1982, and has been licensed to St Matthew’s since 1987. He is PCC Treasurer and has, in the past, been Churchwarden for two terms. He is a chartered Civil Engineer and his career (before retirement at 50) was spent with British Railways, latterly in the research department, which was what brought him to Derby. He is not without interests, but it is difficult to say precisely what they are!

Parish Safeguarding Officer, St Edmund's

Louise Whittaker

‘Hello, my name is Louise and I’ve lived in Allestree for 37 years. I have been involved with the Mother and Baby Group (now Baby and Toddler group) and the CYFA Youth Group as well as our church Luncheon Club during my time here at St Edmund’s Church . I am a retired French teacher and am happily married to my very supportive, lovely husband Nick. We have three adorable girls who were also involved in our church activities and clubs whilst growing up. I am now also a grandma to five beautiful grandchildren. With my current involvement in Pastoral work and as a Parish Safeguarding Officer I very much care about helping others and if any one has any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact me.’

Lay Reader, St Matthew's

Melonie Hambly

Melonie Hambly has been a Reader since 2003. All of that time has been at St Matthew’s. She is a parent and grandparent and has been a foster parent. She is a committed caravaner. She has never yet written a blog.

Organist and Choir lead, St Matthew's

Tim Capes

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Organist, St Edmund's

David Redfern

I’ve been a church organist for 36 years & have been the organist at St Edmund’s for the last 10 years. In addition to playing for church services, I also travel around the country giving concerts on cinema organs & I have my own Compton cinema organ installed in a private studio in Belper. Previously I had a 30 year career in local government but I am now happily retired & spend my time when not playing the organ walking our English Pointer in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside!

Retired Minister with Licence to Officiate

Rev Phyllis Bainbridge

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Choir leader, St Edmund's

Elizabeth Jack

Elizabeth Jack has sung with St. Edmund’s choir for over 50 years and has led it for 23 years. She is a member of the PCC, runs the Events Committee and is a church Welcomer.
She was Director of Music at Derby High School for many years before retirement and now sings with husband Chris in 2 countrywide choirs singing at cathedrals. She also plays viola in Derby Concert Orchestra, also chamber music.
Her 3 daughters all sang in the church choir as children and now worship regularly at their own churches.

Retired Minister with Licence to Officiate

Rev John Rice

I worked for R-R for 33 years, customer facing and Head of Corporate training. In retirement I worked as a business advisor for R-R Nuclear. I married my late wife in 1969 and came to live in Allestree. I worshipped at St Matthew's prior to ordination training in 1973, was curate at St Nick's for 14 years, then joined St Edmund's as non stipendiary minister for the last 35 years. I was widowed in 2018, have 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters, one works for Tate St Ives the other studies Psychology at UEA.

Administrator

Caroline Audley

Caroline Audley is the Church Administrator for St Edmund's and St Matthew's. She moved away from Derbyshire to go to university in Sheffield where she met her husband, Dave. Caroline and Dave married at St Edmund's in 2013 and have now moved back to Derby. Their children Noah and Grace were Christened at St Edmund's. You can usually find her in the Church Office, which is next to St Edmund's Church Hall, at the top of King's Croft. If you face the main church hall doors, her office is round to the left.