Who's Who

Fr. Ed McKenna

Father Ed McKenna has been vicar of St Martin's since April 2009. He is a retired civil servant who has now begun his second career serving God. Formerly a Reader in the Diocese of Sheffield, he has a Degree in Theology from Chester College. He attended the Northern Ordination Course and was ordained Deacon in Chester Cathedral in 2006 and priested in 2007. He served as a curate at St Matthew's, Stretton and St Cross, Appleton Thorn and was also an Assistant Prison Chaplain at HMP Risley from 2005 to 2009. Married to Moira, they have three grown up children and five grand-children. Born on Tyneside, Father Ed calls himself a native Geordie and that is certainly easily observed in his accent. For hobbies he likes to play the guitar, work on his allotment or sail his model boats.

Geoff Brammall

Geoff Brammall has been a Reader in the Church of England for over 40 years and has served in four different parishes in the Dioceses of Manchester and Chester. He values the beauty and the structure of the Anglo-Catholic liturgy at St. Martin's, as well as the friendly atmosphere. A teacher of Modern Languages (principally German) in local grammar and comprehensive schools for 27 years, Geoff retired from teaching in 1996 and now works as a freelance Education Consultant. Beside his church work, Geoff's other interests include hill-walking, the theatre and travel (especially to his beloved Germany!)

Tony Doust

Tony Doust has worshipped at St Martin's since 1991, when he started being in Marple at weekends. He retired from working in computer programming in 2002 and started the part-time three-year course of Reader training later that year. He was licensed as a Reader in Chester Cathedral in October 2005.

He values St Martin's for the very friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and also for the important role of good music in the church. His other interests include (classical) music, chess, and, sadly, Watford Football Club.

Barbara Hodskinson

David Ford

David Ford has worshipped at St Martin`s for the past 30 years and is currently in his sixth year as Churchwarden. He is also the Chair of the Hall Management Group.

Jean Tipper

Jean Tipper is married with two grown up children and three small grandsons. She is now retired but in her working life was head of Modern Languages at Harrytown High School She has been worshipping at St. Martin's for over 30 years and assists in the services by reading,acolyting and leading the intercessions.

Reg Holmes

Reg Holmes has been playing the organ for more years than he cares to remember. For over twenty years he has been Director of Music at St.Martin's Church, Marple Bridge, where he plays the splendid "Father Willis" organ of 1870. For many years, Reg worked in the field of music education, taking early retirement some 20 years ago. Since then, when not at St.Martin's, he works as a free-lance organist and teacher, or pursues his other interests - steam railways and motorcycles.

Debbie Moores

Debbie Moores was born and raised in Yorkshire and lived there until the summer of 2010 when she took the momentous decision to move to Marple. She quickly settled into life on the 'wrong side' of the Pennines and into the life of St Martin's Church, having had a warm and friendly welcome. She and Rob were married by Father Ed at St Martin's in June 2011. Debbie works full time but still finds time to follow her beloved Yorkshire cricket team, is a member of a Gilbert & Sullivan society (also in Yorkshire), loves reading and travelling - especially with Rob in their touring caravan.

Mike Yates

Mike Yates is a local businessman living with his wife, Bernice, in the former vicarage of St Martin's Church. His work necessitates frequent business travel to India and this has led to his deep involvement with Rotary International's work of immunisation to achieve a Polio Free India. Two years ago his work was recognised by the World Health Organisation with their regional award for south east Asia for personal service towards a Polio Free World. He is a trustee of a charity Disaster Aid U.K. which sends tent accommodation to help in disaster areas whether natural or man-made. He has a son and a daughter living in the parish with four grandchildren between them attending Ludworth School in Marple Bridge.