Two rural clergy have been appointed as canons at Southwell Minster by the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy.

The new canons, the Revd Sue Spencer and the Revd Tony Tucker will be installed during Evensong at the cathedral on Sunday 8th June 2008 at 3.30pm.

The Revd Sue Spencer who is priest-in-charge at Rolleston with Fiskerton, Morton, & Upton, and is the Area Dean of Southwell, will take up the stall of North Leverton. The Revd Tony Tucker, who is vicar at Balderton and Barnby-in-the-Willows, and is the Area Dean of Newark, will take up the stall of Norwell Overhall.

Sue Spencer was appointed Area Dean of Southwell on 1st January 2007. She has been Priest-in-charge at Rolleston with Fiskerton, Morton & Upton since 1998, and Assistant Warden of Readers from 1998 to 2007. Before training for ordination she took a Diploma course in Secretarial & Business Studies, initially becoming a medical secretary and later working for the Sports Council (East Midlands Region) in West Bridgford. She is a member of Diocesan Synod and was involved in setting up the Diocesan Certificate Course, on which she is a tutor.

She said: “I am enjoying my role as Area Dean working with the clergy and lay people of the deanery as we discern where God is calling us to focus our energies at this time. I’m particularly interested in how the Church cares for the older people in its communities as well as others who may feel isolated or alone, and I hope that we may share examples of best practice as we support one another in God’s continuing ministry”

Sue is married to Joe and they have a cross-terrier called Spike. She enjoys dog-walking, boating, embroidery and music.

Tony has been vicar of Balderton and Barnby-in-the-Willows since 2004 and Area Dean of Newark since 2001. Prior to that he was Priest-in-charge of Norwell with Ossington, Caunton & Cromwell from 1996 to 2004, when he was also Tourism Officer for the Diocese, Chaplain for Center Parcs, and member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Before ordination he was Warden of the Church Army’s Hartley Centre in East London, having qualified as a Youth & Community worker at the YMCA National College in London. In 1975 he was commissioned as a Church Army Officer and married Linda, when they moved to Portsmouth and he worked in the parish of Portsea. Prior to that he was an HGV lorry driver, car mechanic, and a London fireman.

He said: “I am interested in all things mechanical and trying to make ‘systems’ work, hence my interest in Diocesan development and things structural, and I have a keen interest in helping the Church to function well.”

He and Linda have three daughters and one grandson, and they also own a dog and a pony. Tony enjoys Real Ale and has been ‘privileged to own one or two classic cars.’

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