Who's who | Cockington Church

Who's who

Revd Preb Samantha Stayte

Becoming the vicar of Cockington and Chelston is a return to my roots here in Torquay, where my own faith was shaped and formed in local churches. At Torquay Girls’ Grammer School an inspirational RS teacher
set me on a journey to study Theology at Exeter College, Oxford, which was founded in 1315 by the Bishop of Oxford to train priests for his diocese. Over 700 years later, I am the first woman to fulfil his vision!

Initially though, having volunteered as an assistant at a L’Arche community, living in support of a community of people with learning disabilities, I became a RS teacher in Canterbury and later in Oxford where, as my vocation to priesthood, emerged I also became a lay chaplain.

I trained for ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge and had a very happy curacy at St Michael and All Angels in Summertown, Oxford. The I heard the call to “go west” again and have come home: first to the beautiful Lyn Valley Mission Community in North Devon and now to
Cockington.

My hope is that in this changing world, our church communities and our buildings will help everyone encounter the steadfast love of God for all
creation, the love for which we were made, and which we are called to share, by living out the good news that “all are welcome”.

Vicarage phone: 01803 607709

To email the Vicar please click here

(Vicar’s rest day normally Friday)

Revd Paul Evans

"When I moved to Devon, over thirty years ago, I brought my young family to our new home in Cockington parish, where we have worshipped ever since. We appreciated how lucky we are to live in glorious Devon.

After a long career as a geography teacher, I returned to the classroom, to study for the ordained ministry. Hard work, the degree course opened my eyes to the richness of God’s loving plan for His creation. Ordained in 2014, I have been thrilled to be able to serve exclusively in Cockington parish.

I am married to Tracey, and together we enjoy walking on the coast path and in Dartmoor. We occasionally manage to see son Matthew and his young family in Yorkshire."

Revd Sue Groom

I grew up in Cheltenham and went to University in North Wales then Cambridge. I met my husband Phil working for a charity on the canals of the West Midlands in the 1980’s and we now enjoy spending the summer months travelling on our narrowboat called ‘Almost.’ I was ordained in the Diocese of London in 1996 and since then I have served in parish ministry, theological education, as a Diocesan Director of Ordinands and as an Archdeacon. I have ministered in four different dioceses in cities, towns and villages. I have been a member of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis for more than 25 years and I find Francis both inspiring and challenging. I trained as a Spiritual Director many years ago and I love helping people to discover who God is calling them to be and what God is calling them to do.

For relaxation I swim most days (both in the sea and at Plainmoor Pool), I read widely including detective novels and theology, and we enjoy exploring the coastal path and National Trust properties. I love chocolate and cake!

When I retired from full-time ministry in 2024 we moved to Torquay and we have been made to feel very welcome in Cockington and Chelston. We now consider the parish to be our spiritual home and I’m delighted that the Bishop has granted me Permission to Officiate here.

Lay Minister - Vicki Osborne

Church Warden - Mo Ashcroft

Head of Music - Stephen Royle

PCC Members

Mo Ashcroft

Ron Ashcroft

Barry Church

Roger Downing

Paul Evans

Sue Macleod

Sue Groom

Phil Harnett

Pam Holton

Marion MacDonald

Vicki Osborne

Mike Papasiviliou

Maggie Shelton

Samantha Stayte