New vicar for Neston (From Wirral Globe)

New vicar for Neston

2:26pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Craig Manning

A FORMER bank manager will become the new vicar of Neston in a ceremony tonight.

The Revd Alan Dawson, who grew up in Little Neston and Ness, was a banker for 20 years before training to be an Anglian priest in 2007.

He will be officially installed as vicar in Neston parish church (St Mary and St Helen) at 7.30pm.

Bishop of Birkenhead, the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair, will lead the service, which is open to the public.

Rev Dawson is a big sports fan who plays tennis. Married to Karen, 48, the couple have two children.

He was a curate, or assistant priest, in Hale, south Manchester, before returning to Wirral as vicar of the large parish which has churches in Neston, Little Neston and Parkgate.

He was confirmed as a Christian in Neston in the 1980s and was a member of the Neston Youth and Social Group.

Describing his new role will be a 'coming home' experience, he said: "I'm delighted to come back to this part of the world.

"I find the parish in good health, and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and continuing our journey of faith."

The previous Vicar, Revd Neill Robb, has retired after 14 years in the parish, and moved with his wife Marlene to a new home near Chester.

Paying tribute Alan said: "It's clear that Neill was highly respected in our local community – very well thought indeed of by church members and by the wider community. We all wish him the very best in retirement."