On Tuesday, March 15th, a Requiem Sung Eucharist service will be held at St Giles's Church, Matlock, in tribute to the Rev'd Canon John Tomlinson, former Rector of the Church, who died in January this year.

A former Bishop of Repton, the Rt Rev'd Henry Richmond will preach at the service which starts at 7.30pm. The life and ministry of the Canon will be remembered and celebrated. He served at St Giles for six years and retired in 2002 and was also an Honorary Canon of Derby Cathedral from 1991 to 2002.

His ordained ministry began in 1962 when he was made a Deacon in the Diocese of Lichfield. He came to the Diocese of Derby in 1973 taking on many duties over and above parish responsibilities. He was initially Bishop's Youth Chaplain, then Deputy Director of Education from 1978 to 1979 and then Director up to 1984.

He was Team Rector of the parishes of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale from 1984 to 1996, and also Rural Dean of Buxton from 1991 to 1996. From 1985 he was also the Diocesan Adviser for Pastoral Care and Counselling.

The current Bishop of Repton, the Rt Rev'd David Hawtin, who preached at the Canon's funeral on February 7th, said: "Canon John Tomlinson has made a very special contribution to the life of Derby Diocese as somebody with a great commitment to education and the needs of young people. That shone through in his specialist appointments and his ministry as a parish priest. He certainly has a distinctive and distinguished place in the story of Derby Diocese."

Ends

For further information please contact:-

Ruth Green
Communications Officer/Bishop's Press Officer
Diocese of Derby
(The Church of England across Derbyshire)
01332 388680

OR

The Rev'd Mark Crowther-Alwyn
Rector of St Gile's Church, Matlock
01629 582199