I’m the Revd Max Drinkwater, and I have been Priest-in-Charge of Haverhill and Withersfield since September 2020, and very much enjoy playing my part in the life of the church and the community here. I have an interest in ecumenical and inter-faith relations, in travelling and pilgrimage, and in early church history and literature. Before taking up this role I was Assistant Curate of churches in Newmarket and Exning for four years, trained for ordained ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge, spent a year in North London as a Pastoral Assistant and read Classics at Cambridge University. Although most of my adult life has been spent around East Anglia, I grew up in Cheltenham, where my parents still live. I am married to Charlotte, who teaches in Cambridge, and our daughter Cynthia arrived earlier in 2020. We also share the rectory with three house cats.

My name is Jane Eccleston and I am the Parish Safeguarding Officer, I am also on the Parochial Church Council and help at services as a Eucharistic Minister, reading and leading prayers. I also assist with some of the Church children’s events, such as Holiday Club and Experience Easter. With my family, I have worshipped at St Mary’s Church for most of my life and grew up in the Haverhill area then returning to live here over thirty years ago. I enjoy gardening and flower arranging both at home and church and am responsible for coordinating the dedicated team of flower arrangers at church. I have now retired from teaching and my other hobbies include bird watching, crochet and reading.

Richard Hart was appointed Director of Music at Haverhill with Withersfield in December 2008 and in that time has introduced a Music Strategy and Music Policy which have unanimously been accepted by the Parish Church Council Clergy and Choir Before coming to St Mary’s Richard was for ten years Director of Music at St Faith’s in King’s Lynn and also taught and helped with the music in two schools He started his musical career back in Haverhill and was introduced to the organ by one of his predecessors Owen Head and played for his first service when he was fourteen at the Haverhill Methodist Church. He also played in many local churches and chapels with visiting local preachers and lay readers When the new Methodist church opened Richard was appointed Assistant Organist and Choirmaster and for a number of years was assistant organist at The Old Independent Church Haverhill before accepting the position of Director of Music at All Saints Newmarket. He was for ten years Music Director for the Stourhead Benefice also. In 2010 Richard achieved upper honours in Sacred Music through Bangor University in conjunction with the Royal School of Church Music and has brought a new enthusiasm to the music at St Mary’s bringing together a full choir of over 20 voices and a music group. He has introduced new music to the Liturgy and arranged several successful presentations of choral works and concerts.

Treasurer & Elder

My name is Tracy sevenoaks. At St Marys I am a licenced minister (Evangelist) and a covenanted Evangelist in the church army. I was licenced in September 2019 at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds after completing a years training, of which we were the first to do so in the pilot. My role in church is a varied one, from being a member in the choir, to looking after the streaming of services, which started in March after the pandemic and we couldn’t enter church. Now we are able to stream each service live, which is immensely important to those that can’t attend church, and for those that want to find out more. I also run café church, on a Friday lunchtime which is a laid back, informal service, with hymns, readings and some laughter thrown in! As an evangelist I’m always looking for new ways to engage with the community, and mission is also important to me. I also have links within the Diocese and engage in various groups within it. I look forward to meeting you whether in church, or out about in Haverhill.

 

Elder

My name is Steph Watson and I am Treasurer for St Mary the Virgin Church, Withersfield, I am also on the Parochial Church Council. With my family, I have lived in Withersfield since 2004. I have recently retired from the NHS where I held the role of Director of Finance in various hospitals in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. I enjoy gardening, cooking and general home improvements. With more time since retirement, I am also beginning to help out on other village activities including becoming the Secretary to Withersfield Village Hall Management Committee.