St Albans Abbey gets new Sub-Dean

A FORMER theatre publicity manager before his ordination is to become the new Sub-Dean of St Albans.

The Rev Richard Watson will be leaving his current appointment as Rector of St Mary’s, East Barnet, to become number two to the Dean at St Albans Abbey.

The appointment was announced on Sunday and the Dean, the Very Rev Jeffrey John, said: “All of us at the Abbey who were involved in his appointment are delighted that Richard is to be our new Sub Dean. I feel we should apologise to St Mary’s East Barnet (which was founded by the Abbey) for stealing him. I am sure he will be as popular and successful here as he has been there.”

Richard, who has wide experience of working with young people and children, worked as a theatre publicity manager and manager of an ecumenical youth project before training for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol.

He retains an interest in theatre, is an avid reader and since his 40th birthday and a chance meeting with the 10th Doctor under a railway arch, he has become a fully-fledged Doctor Who fan who shares his study with an inflatable Dalek.

Richard, now 44, his wife Linda and their three children will be moving to St Albans in September to take up his new appointment.

He succeeds Canon Stephen Lake who will be installed as Dean of Gloucester in June – 10 years after taking up the role of Sub Dean at St Albans.