Bishop of Taunton Visits Yeovilton

The Right Reverend Peter Maurice made a short visit to the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton while touring the general area of South Somerset. He showed great interest in the work of Royal Naval Chaplaincy on the base and discussed with the team what lessons could be drawn from it for the wider Church.

The Station is one of the busiest military airfields in the United Kingdom and is amongst the largest in Europe, normally housing eight squadrons and around one hundred aircraft of varying types. It is also the biggest aviation establishment in the Royal Navy, employing over 4300 service personnel and civilians to operate and support squadrons, and to provide the many facilities required to run a Naval Air Station.

He dined in the Wardroom with the Chaplains before meeting Commodore Paul Chivers OBE, the Commanding Officer of the base.

“The Bishop hasn’t visited us in years and it’s nice to see him. We value his interest in our work.” Said Rev Tudor Botwood.

Fromleft to right in the picture are Mr David Mayor RSR Pastoral Worker, Rev Bruce Faulkner, Priest in Charge at Ilchester, Mrs Alison Handcock RSR Pastoral Worker, Rev Ned Kelly, Anglican Chaplain, The Right Reverend Peter Maurice, Bishop of Taunton, Rev Tudor Botwood Free Church Chaplain, Mrs Tina Cullen Office administrator, Mrs Francis Hathaway Fleet Air Arm Church Custodian.