Nigel Coates
Assistant Priest
Nigel grew up in the New Forest and has returned to his roots on retirement from Southwell Cathedral where he was a residentiary canon for 15 years. He and his wife Rhoda have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren, 5 of whom have clergy parents, and all of whom live in or near London. The children all enjoy visiting Fordingbridge having grown up in nearby Southampton.
Nigel’s interests include natural history, bird watching, woodcarving, watercolours, reading, cinema and theatre. A former mathematics teacher, he was ordained in 1983 and served at St Martins, Epsom before ministry in the Winchester diocese. This included a second curacy in Highfield, Southampton, 8 years as University Chaplain, 8 years as Rector of Christchurch, Freemantle, and responsibility for the training of Lay Readers.
Recent ministry has included a 5 year NLHF educational project on the ‘Leaves of Southwell’ - the magnificent stone foliage of the Chapter House. The naturalistic carving suggests that the 13th century masons had an awareness of the creation that we can learn much from in our care of the environment.
Nigel is a member of the AVC ministry team and looks forward to a particular association with Breamore