In the diocese of St Asaph, Church in Wales
Our Mission Area Team:
Our Mission Area Charity is managed by 'The Mission Area Committee' (a board of volunteer Trustees ) who are legally responsible for the Mission Area and all of its Churches. The day to day running of the Mission Area is delegated to an Executive Committee; see below
The Mission Area Executive
Rev Marcus Pipe
We are delighted to have Rev Marcus as part of our Mission Area community. Marcus is warm, kind, and genuinely down to earth. He has an approachable and amiable nature that helps people feel at ease, whether meeting him for the first time or working alongside him in church life.
He brings energy and initiative to his role, always looking for ways to grow and strengthen the community. Recently, he has introduced new projects such as All-age services, creating opportunities for people of all generations to come together in worship.
Marcus is also actively involved beyond the church, building strong links with the local school where he runs ukulele lessons, something the pupils
thoroughly enjoy.
We are grateful for all that Marcus brings and look forward to seeing these initiatives continue to flourish.
Priest-in-Charge Bangor-on-Dee, Marchwiel & Erbistock
Canon Paul Whittaker CBE
Mission Area Leader
Canon Paul was recently appointed as a Canon of
St Asaph Cathedral.
Paul is a retired barrister and CBE, bringing a wealth of professional experience alongside his deep commitment to church life.
Within the Mission Area, he is highly respected for his calm, thoughtful approach and his ability to lead with clarity. He provides strong and effective leadership as Lay Chair of the Trustee Board, particularly in governance and strategic direction, helping to
ensure that the Mission Area is well organised,
forward-looking, and grounded in good practice. His clear thinking and careful guidance have been invaluable in supporting both clergy and lay teams.
Alongside his leadership, Paul is also a longstanding and accomplished organist, regularly playing at
services over many years and contributing richly to the worshipping life of the church.
We are delighted to see his contribution recognised in this way and are grateful for all that he continues to bring to the life of the Mission Area.
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Lady Hanmer [Elizabeth]
Mission Area Warden,
Warden of Hanmer Church
Katie Marshall
Mission Area Administrator, Treasurer and Magazine Editor
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Brian Neale
Mission Area Warden,
Other Mission Area Officers
Vanessa Brodie
Mission Area Safeguarding Officer & Trustee
Gerard Robson
Mission Area Eco-Champion
Our Licensed Lay Ministers
Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs), also known as Readers, play a vital role in the life of our Mission Area. They are lay people who have been trained and authorised by the Church to lead, teach, and support the worshipping community.
They regularly lead services, preach, and assist with pastoral care, working alongside clergy to support the spiritual life of our churches. Many also take on specific responsibilities within their local church or across the wider Mission Area.
LLMs bring a wealth of experience, insight, and commitment, offering a different but complementary perspective to ordained ministry. Their contribution helps ensure that our churches remain active, supported, and rooted in faith within their communities.
We are very grateful for their dedication and the important role they play in the life of the Mission Area.
Michael Vellacott
Michael is a Licensed Lay Minister a Marchwiel Church. He has given many faithful years of service to the church, and has recently received royal Maundy Money honours at St Asaph Cathedral in 2026 in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the life and ministry of the church, and the Mission Area. He leads Morning Worship on a monthly basis.
Bill Barlow
Bill is a Licensed Lay Minister at Hanmer Church. He has given many faithful years of service to the church, and has made outstanding contributions to the life and ministry of the church, and the Mission Area. He leads Morning Worship on a monthly basis and writes the Hanmer Articles for the Mission Area Magazine.
Our wider ministry team
Our team consists of retired clergy with Permission to Officiate, and Non-Stipendiary Ministers. They help us during holidays, and general cover and during periods of Interegnum (vacant posts). They help us to keep the Mission Area running smoothly and we are very grateful for their service.
Revd Ian Arch
Non-Stipendiary Priest
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Revd Canon Kate Tiltman
Retired Priest
Canon Kate is a warm and friendly minister, who has had many roles within the church over her many years of service including most recently, before her retirement, Mission Area Leader in our neighbouring Offa Mission Area. Canon Kate usually takes Holuy Communion at Erbistock Church once a month.
Revd Richard Diggle
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Revd Harry Edwards
Retired Priest