Nick Davies is Team Rector of the South Cheltenham team. He has been based at Pip and Jim’s since 2012. He studied Biblical Studies at Sheffield University and Systematic Theology at Edinburgh University. Prior to ordination Nick worked in communications and fundraising in the voluntary sector, including Save the Children, Christian Aid and the Shaftesbury Society. Nick is an elected member of Gloucester Diocesan Synod, has previously served as Area Dean and as a member of Diocesan Advisory Committee on reordering and is an Honorary Canon of Gloucester Cathedral. Nick is married to Helen and they have two children. When not working Nick enjoys cider making, tennis and surfing.
Gary Grady has been the Team Vicar at St. Peter’s Leckhampton and The Church in Warden Hill since 2016. He is also Area Dean for Cheltenham and the Diocesan Link Officer for the Diocese of Dornakal in South India. Gary trained for ministry at the West of England Ministerial Training Centre at Redcliffe College in Gloucester. Before that he worked for BT for 19 years in a variety of roles, leading the national training design team before leaving to retrain. He is married to Maggie, who is the Director of Music Therapy at Mindsong, and has two children, Erin and Rob, who are in their 20s. When not working, Gary likes walking, watching sport and going to ‘gigs’.
Jacqueline Henson was brought up in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor and attended Tavistock College. After graduating in 1998 from the University of Wales, Bangor with a degree in Criminology (2:1), I joined the Police, where I completed 21 years of service in a variety of roles, mostly as a Detective in Investigation Departments. David and I married in 2009 and we have two daughters, Eleanor, aged 9 and Martha, aged 6.
Whilst continuing to work at Cirencester Police Station, I studied for a Diploma in Higher Education in Theology and Mission at Cuddesdon: Gloucester and Hereford. I am now really looking forward to serving the parishes of St. Peter’s and The Church In Warden Hill and immersing myself into a new parish and local community.
Sarah Haden moved to Cheltenham as Leader of Cheltenham Network Church in March 2020 and was additionally appointed as Team Vicar in South Cheltenham with responsibility for Emmanuel in July 2022. Sarah studied Theology and English at Nottingham University before training for Ordination at St Mellitus College. She has a Doctorate of Ministry from Asbury Seminary. Sarah’s doctoral research focused on best practice in identifying and mentoring female church leaders. She is married to Ben who is a Civil servant and they have a dog Tia. When not at church Sarah enjoys playing netball, running and boardgames.
Dereck Freeman is a Licensed Reader in the South Cheltenham team, based at St Peter’s. He is Sub Warden of Readers for the Cheltenham Deanery. Following a career as a Chartered Engineer in the aerospace and defence industries, Dereck trained in Theology at The West of England Ministerial Centre (WEMTC) at Redcliffe College in Gloucester. Dereck has one married daughter and two grandchildren who keep him busy when he is not involved in his other interests, which include membership of various clubs and societies, classic motorcycles and cars, and trying to keep fit!
Our other readers include Pam Dainton, Roy McBane, Rachel Tarling, and Mell Webb.
South Cheltenham Churches 