the midland union executive committee

To view brief biographical details of a member, please move your mouse pointer over a picture.

the
president

Mrs. Alison Thursfield, BSc, PG Cert Ed
Alison is a member of Bayshill Unitarian Church, Cheltenham which forms part of the Cotswold Group of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. She has served on the Executive Committee since 2002 and became Vice President in 2005 and President in 2007. She lives near Cheltenham.

Mrs. Alison Thursfield

the
vice president

Rev. Peter Hewis, BA, MA
Peter has served on the Executive Committee since 2002 since joining Harris Manchester College, Oxford as Chaplain, Ministerial Training Tutor, Bursar, and Fellow. He is now a retired Minister. His previous Ministries included Bethnal Green, Hinckley and two exchanges Ministries in Knoxville, Tennessee. Peter is a Past President of the General Assembly and serves on the General Assembly Ministry Commission. He is also Secretary of the Ministers’ Benevolent Society. He lives in Yarnton near Oxford. He became Vice-President in 2007.

Rev. Peter Hewis

the immediate
past president

Mr. Gavin LLoyd, Ll.B, MA
Gavin joined the Manchester College Oxford Chapel Society in 1972, serving first as Secretary and now as Treasurer. He has served on the Executive Committee since 2001, becoming Vice-President in 2002 and President in 2005. He is a G.A. Qualified Lay Preacher and is a regular Preacher in Midland Union Congregations. He lives near Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Mr. Gavin Lloyd

the secretary

Mrs. Sue Woolley, BA.,M.Phil
Sue is a fourth generation Unitarian. She is Secretary of the Northampton Unitarians and also edits their Newsletter and their website. She is married and lives near Northampton with her husband and two children. She is a G.A. Qualified Lay Preacher, and is a regular Preacher in Midland Union Congregations. She became Secretary in 2007 and was appointed Midland Union District Facilitator in 2008.

Mrs. Sue Woolley

the treasurer

Mr. Sandy Ellis, TD, BA, FCMA
Sandy, a third generation Unitarian, is a member of Oat Street Chapel, Evesham. He has served on the Executive Committee and as Midland Union Treasurer since 1983. He has been a Manager of the Ministers’ Stipend Augmentation Fund since 1986 and is a Director of the Ministers’ Benevolent Society. He served as Treasurer of the Sustentation Fund from 1994-2003 and was a Trustee of the Hibbert & Gregson Trusts from 1991-2003. A Chartered Management Accountant with 40 years experience, he is a G.A. Qualified Lay Preacher and is a regular Preacher in Midland Union Congregations and lives near Worcester.

Mr. Sandy Ellis

elected members

Mrs. Jenny Buckland
Jenny has been a member, Treasurer & Acting Secretary of Bayshill Unitarian Church, Cheltenham since 1997, as well as a member of the Gloucester Fellowship, both of which form part of the Cotswold Group of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches. She organises Pulpit Supplies for both Congregations. She served on the Executive Committee from 2000-2002 and rejoined it in 2004. She lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Mrs. Jenny Buckland

Dr. Peter Forder
Peter is a relative newcomer to Unitarianism having been brought up in the Anglican tradition within the Church of England. He has lived at Evesham since 1998 and is currently Vice Chair and Treasurer of Oat Street Chapel. Before coming to Evesham to work in Forensic Science, in which he is still actively engaged, Peter spent much of his career in academic physics at a number of universities in the UK and the Middle East. Widowed in 2005, he enjoys the support of a large step-family.

Dr. Peter Forder

Miss. Winnie Gordon
Winnie is a newcomer to Unitarianism, having joined Unitarian New Meeting, Birmingham in 2007, since when she has become very actively involved. Not only does she serve as Co-ordinator of the Childrens' Services, she has taken over as Lettings Steward, and has also become the building caretaker. As a newly qualified Faith Tourist Guide, Winnie will be conducting tours of UNM and explaining its history to visitors.

Miss. Winnie Gordon

Rev. Anthony Howe
Ant is Minister of the Kingswood and Warwick congregations. He holds a degree in theology and also has a post graduate diploma in contextual theology. He trained for Ministry at Unitarian College Manchester and led the congregations of Chorlton and Cheadle prior to his move to the Midlands. He is an accomplished musician. Ant lives in Hollywood, South Birmingham.

Rev. Anthony Howe

Mr. David Mearman
David has been a member of Stourbridge Presbyterian (Unitarian) Church since 1966. He succeeded his late father as Organist, continuing a fifty year family tradition, and is the Secretary, and a Trustee. He lives in Stourbridge, Worcestershire.

Mr. David Mearman

Rev. Don Phillips
Don is a fourth generation Unitarian. He is Minister of the Cotswold Group of Unitarian Churches which consists of the congregations of Cheltenham, Evesham and Gloucester. In addition, Don provides pastoral oversight for the Cirencester Unitarian fellowship, which lies outside the Midland Union area. He completed ministry training in 2003, following a career in industry, and latterly as an independent consultant. He has worked with the Unitarian General Assembly on consultancy projects and as a member of the Publications Panel.

Rev. Don Phillips

Rev. Simon Ramsay
Simon trained as a Minister at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, graduating in 2004. He was appointed as the Minister of Unitarian New Meeting Church, Birmingham in September 2004. He joined the Executive Committee in 2005. He has been a member of the Western Union Religious Education Committee, Secretary to the Cotswold Group and a committee member of the International Association for Religious Freedom. He lives in Birmingham.

Rev. Simon Ramsay

Mrs. Bronwen Taylor
Bronwen is a fourth generation Unitarian with links to non-conformism dating back to 1733. Originally from Manchester, she is still a member of Cross Street Chapel and worshipped at John pounds Unitarian Chapel in Portsmouth during her student days. She has been a member of Shrewsbury Unitarian Church for the last 13 years and membership Secretary for the last 10 years. She plans to retire from School Teaching this Summer after 41 years in the profession. After leading Services for the last 7 years, she now intends to complete the Worship Studies Foundation Course. She enjoys Hymn writing, having written 14 so far, 2 of which have been selected for the new GA Hymn book. Bronwen has lived in Bridgnorth for nearly 35 years.

Mrs. Bronwen Taylor

representative members

Minister's Meeting

Mr. Malcolm Sadler
Malcolm, a third generation Unitarian, is a member of the Warwick Unitarians Congregation, serving the Congregation as its Musical Director since 1959 and was Lay Leader from 1982 - 2006. In latter years he has also provided leadership for the Banbury Fellowship. He has served on the Executive Committee since 1984, as Vice-President from 1985 - 1986 and as President from 1987-1988. He is also Secretary of the Unitarian Association of Lay Leaders and of the Warwickshire and Neighbouring Counties Monthly Meeting of Protestant Dissenting Ministers.

Mr. Malcolm Sadler

Women's League

Rev. Ann Latham
Following her retirement from the Ministry in Lancashire, Ann moved to the Midlands and was until recently part-time minister to our Kidderminster Congregation. She had previously served as Minister of the Todmorden and Oldham Group and was then appointed as Assistant District Minster of the Manchester District Association, She then became District Minster of the MDA, combining this with Ministerial responsibility for the Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Dob Lane Chapel, Failsworth and the Oldham Unitarian congregations. In addition, she was responsible for Unitarian Outreach in the Manchester District. She was also until recently a member of the GA Social Responsibility and Penal Affairs Panels. A member of the Women’s League since 1976, she is a Past National President of the League. Ann now lives in Halesowen and has just retired for the second time !

Rev. Ann Latham