Dean of Southwell Minster retires

Guernsey’s gain will be the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham’s loss when the Very Revd John Guille retires as Dean of the Minster and returns to his family home in the Channel Islands.

His leaving service is at 3.30pm Evensong on Sunday 18th May and marks his seventh year as Dean.

Rev Guille said: “There is an invitation from me and also from my wife Sue, as we share in this service together for all of us to stop and to count our blessings. It took no time at all to recognise that Southwell Minster is a very special place indeed.

“This is an extremely friendly County, Diocese and Minster Community. There is much to be thankful for.”

The Dean was born in St Peter Port, Guernsey in 1949 with connections to the Anglican Church through his family - his father being a church warden and superintendent of the Sunday School, and his mother a member of the Mothers Union - becoming a chorister in the church choir and later an altar server.

His own faith journey began at 12 years of age when the Anglican Churches on the island held a Mission.

He said: “I remember asking how one became a parish priest and the rest, as they say, is history, except my Headmaster at the time of my GCE’s suggested I took up teacher training as a good foundation for ministry.”

Archdeacon of Nottingham, the Venerable Peter Hill paid tribute to the Dean.

He said: “One rather old fashioned word that sums him up is ‘gumption.’ A man with huge gumption - which is about initiative, drive, resourcefulness, courage and guts. Having gumption means you can be a game changer. It is a courteous, Christian gumption. He has renewed and advanced the ministry of our cathedral, and lives a life founded on faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”

Retired Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, George Cassidy appointed the Dean in 2007, and will be a guest speaker at the service, as will the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace.

There will also be a combined service in the morning at 10.30am with refreshments afterwards.