In the TV series, A Vicar’s Life you will have seen The Reverend Ruth Hulse – Team Vicar in the West Hereford Team Ministry and you’ll also have seen fleeting glances of The Reverend Prebendary Robert North.

Rob is one of those very special people that make the world a better place. He is in fact, my TI – my Training Incumbent. The person whose job it is to attempt to shape and support me as I step through this stage of my training.

Anyone who has ever had to work with me, or manage me knows what a big ask that is. I run at 150mph as my average speed. I run at almost everything with boundless enthusiasm and want to change the world through the action of God’s love in the world NOW.

Rob has sat and listened, gently guided and stood in front of me, supported me, (and also said no) with a grace and kindness that I often don’t deserve. He is a model of what Christ’s love looks like in the world.

You don’t get to see Rob in the TV series very much, which means you have missed the gift of this wonderful man – and so – for a moment when I have a degree of public attention I would like to turn the light towards Rob… a man I have come to deeply love and admire, a man who will make me a better Deacon, a better Priest and a better person.