On the 9th October 2004, the Rev'd Peter Paine was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the combined parishes of Foremarke, Newton Solney and Repton.   He became incumbent two years later. Meanwhile, in 2005, the Bishop further appointed him an Area Vicar within our Mission and Ministry Area, responsible for the parishes of Bretby, Findern, Foremark, Hartshorne, Newton Solney, Repton, Willington and Winshill - the northern half of the MMA.

Although he had been brought up in Norfolk, Peter knew the Midlands from his schooldays at Trent College.   Following ordination in 1971, he chose a multi-cultural parish in Leeds for his first curacy.   A second curacy in Harrogate was followed by a move back to Leeds for his first incumbency in a largely Bangladeshi area of the city, and then by eight years in a Team Ministry, before he headed back to his home county as Rector of Martham with Repps and Thume with Clippesby, a rural multi-parish benefice in Norfolk, where he served for 14 years.

Peter's time here was one of considerable change.   At St Wystan's he introduced new services including seasonal variations for Communion and Family Services, Taizé Worship, Services for Christian Healing, Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child, and special festivals such as Candlemas and Christingle, as well as a regular discipline of Morning Prayer.   In addition he led pilgrimages to Iona, Lindisfarne and Taizé, Greece, Turkey and Russia.

He oversaw the Heritage Development, which includes kitchen, toilet and storage facilities, as well as a new roof and central heating at St Mary’s, and repairs to the roof and tower at St Saviour’s.

When Pater arrived, the MMA had hardly got off the ground, but as chairman and Area Vicar, he played a major role in its development.

In all this, he enjoyed the whole-heartedly support of his wife, Carol.   As well as readily welcoming people to the church and the vicarage, she taught in Sunday Club, helped at Mothers’ Union and with the social life of the Church, organized Passover Meals, co-ordinated Word of Life meetings, played the piano at Taizé services, and visited the sick.

Peter retired on 31st August 2011, just 40 years after his ordination.   We wish them both a long, happy and holy retirement.