The Revd David Houghton (and Zach)

The Revd David Houghton comes to St Andrew's and St Mark's as part of a ministry that has taken him around the world. He will become Priest-in-Charge and Vicar designate of our parish at the end of this month, having chosen to trade Paris, where he is Chaplain of St George's Anglican Church, for Surbiton.

'I feel a need to complete my ministry in an English parish,' David says. 'And there is something about the needs of this parish, especially The Vision, I feel I can contribute to.'

Born in Birmingham, David, 59, went on to study Economics in Edinburgh before training for the ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon, near Oxford. He served his title with a curacy in Prestbury near Cheltenham in the Diocese of Gloucester. He has already spent many years in the Diocese of Southwark, being Vicar of Holy Spirit Clapham for 11 years and Rural Dean of Clapham for nine years. He has been Chaplain of Warwick School, an independent school for boys where he also taught economics. But his great love of travel has taken him far and wide. He became Precentor and Chaplain to the Port of Gibraltar, working among the seamen there. He also served as Assistant Chaplain at St George's Anglican Church in Madrid.

'I went in 1976, just after the death of Franco,' he says. 'I stayed for two years and it was a very interesting time.'

He took up his post in Paris in 2002, becoming also the Bishop in Europe's delegate for ecumenical affairs in France. His present congregation is made up of more than 20 nationalities. So will he miss anything about Paris?

'The food!' he says. 'But also, there's a much more courteous style of life in France. It's lovely that people always greet each other properly. And there is nowhere near the level of mobile phone use here as there is in England. They're always used discreetly.'

Now he is looking forward to exploring Surbiton, where we can only hope he isn't disappointed by the café society afforded by Puccino's and Starbucks. It's lucky a French patisserie has recently opened on St Mark's Hill.

'The first time I ever came to Surbiton was three months ago,' he says. 'I was struck by all the commuter bustle as I came out of the station.'

David says he is looking forward to being nearer to friends and family, and to enjoying our lovely Surrey surroundings.

'I'm looking forward to living by the river,' he says. 'I was surprised at how hot Paris could be in the summer, so a cooler climate will be welcome.'

David's interests include cooking, music, amateur dramatics, piano and travelling in Europe and South America. And of course, David will not be arriving alone. He will have faithful friend Zach, his beloved border terrier.

'I've had him for 13 years,' says David. 'He is very well-travelled!'

Sharon Wright

March 2007

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