On this page, we will be feature some of the people who make sure that St Catherine’s continues to provide a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ to the Parish of Montacute, and to the many visitors who we welcome to our beautiful and historic village. These are the people who look after and run the historic building, everything that happens in it and who organise and run its many activities. They are also the people who ensure that everyone who comes to St Catherine’s or has need of the Church’s help finds a warm welcome, support and an experience of God in meeting with St Catherine’s people.
Rev Gary Edmunds – Associate Priest of Ham Hill Villages Benefice
Rev Gary is our Associate Priest. His contact details are gary.edmunds@hotmail.co.uk and 07485 789968.
Reader – Ruth Briggs
Ruth has been a Reader in St Catherine’s since 2022, after moving here with her husband, Andy, from Birmingham. Ruth has spent a lifetime researching and teaching Latin (and a little Greek) at the University of Birmingham and latterly also in some Midlands schools. Aside from her passion to share the good news of God’s love for us, she is also passionate about classical music and enjoys playing the violin in a local chamber orchestra.
Reader – Susan Laycock
Susan has been a Reader attached to St Catherine’s since moving here with husband, Nic, to take on their retirement project of creating a beautiful garden. Susan has been a Reader since 1984 and has worked in four Dioceses including Johannesburg in South Africa. She is now is Lay Dean of the Ivelchester Deanery. Beyond gardening, Susan is passionate about travelling.
Church Warden – Elaine Beedle – 07969 955442
Elaine was previously a Chartered Accountant, then a farmer and a wedding venue host. She now combines a busy life as a volunteer gardener for the National Trust at Tintinhull and Lytes Cary with looking after three almost grown up children, an allotment, her bees, and Daisy, her lovely yellow Labrador.
Church Warden and Treasurer – Nic Laycock – 07800 587717
Married to Susan, Nic was previously a business consultant with an international career which included living in South Africa for 17 years during the transition to democracy. As well as looking after St Catherine’s finances, Nic jointly runs a Diocese HelpDesk supporting the 500 Treasurers of the Bath and Wells Diocese. Like Susan, he is a keen gardener.
Lay Vice-Chair of PCC – Keith Hann
Keith has lived in Montacute for the whole of his life – more years than he is prepared to disclose! A member of St Catherine’s throughout his life, Keith is passionate about the church’s ongoing witness in the village. Keith is Assistant Lay Dean of the Ivelchester Deanery. He is a keen conservationist with a huge knowledge of the wildlife around the area and of course, his beloved Exmoor.
St Catherine's Montacute Parish Church 