A group of local churches in the Peasedown St John, Shoscombe, Foxcote and Wellow area have said thank you and farewell to their Curate, who leaves after four years’ service to the church and community.

Tom Benyon, who originally trained as an English and Drama teacher before taking up church ministry, moved into Peasedown St John with his wife, Sara, and their three young sons four years ago.

For the St J’s Group, the collective name of the Anglican parishes led, by long-serving Vicar, Revd Matthew Street, Tom was their first ever Curate. Joy Fraser, Churchwarden at St John’s Church in Peasedown, said: “We have been richly blessed to have Tom with us for the past four years. His energy, enthusiasm and dedication has been hugely welcomed.

“His drama expertise has brought sermons to life, the work he has done to support Men’s Ministry has been a lifeline for many, and his interest in serving the wider community has been much appreciated by all.

“We would like to wish Tom and his family the very best as they move to Stoke Gifford to take up a full-time post as an Assistant Vicar. I have no doubt that he will make a positive impact there, as he has done in the St J’s Group!”

A Curate is a term used in the Church of England to describe a ‘Vicar in training’. They will move to a parish for a minimum of three years and experience all aspects of parish life.

As well as his work in the Church, Tom also threw himself into civic and community life across the parishes. In Wellow and Shoscombe, he became Chair of Governors at the local primary schools, and in Peasedown St John, he served for two years as the Party in the Park Festival’s Volunteer Manager.

Nathan Hartley, Chair of Peasedown Party in the Park, added: “We will certainly miss Tom! He worked well with the rest of the festival team, and I was always impressed with his desire to get stuck in and try new things. During his tenure, he worked with us on two festivals and recruited almost a hundred volunteers. Thank you, Tom!”

Last Sunday, church and community members joined together to say thank you to Tom, his wife, Sara, and their sons at a special service in St John’s Church.