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Other staff
Of course, there are many people who contribute to the work of our three churches in Aston and Nechells. To learn more about some of these people, click on the names of the people below or scroll down and read on.
- Sam Evans – Parish Administrator for Aston Parish Church and St Matthew’s
- Nigel Cripps – Parish Projects Officer
- David Fletcher – Parish Treasurer
- Sharon Palmer – CAN DO 4:13 Chair
- Rosemary Cripps – Music Coordinator: Aston Parish Church
- Stephanie Evans – Worship Leader: Aston Parsh Church
- Don Finnemore – Ringing Master at Aston Parish Church
Sam Evans
Sam is the Parish Administrator based at Aston Parish Church and St Matthew’s Church. He has been a practising christian for most of his life, joining the Parish of Aston and Nechells in 2011 after meeting his wife Stephanie in his former parish.
In his spare time he enjoys music, reading and games of all varieties. He also lives with one other member of the family who does nothing but generally make a mess of the place and look cute while doing it, his dog Ludo.
His office hours are 9:30-1 Mon – Fri.
Email Sam
Aston Parish Church Tel: 0121 327 3880
Nigel Cripps
Nigel assists the Vicar with specific tasks especially the Ss Peter and Paul building improvement programme. He is also the company secretary and director of CAN DO 4:13.
Born in Birmingham at the Queen Elizabeth (now University) Hospital, Nigel has far deeper Birmingham roots in so far has his parents and grand parents were all born in what is now Birmingham. The earliest known Aston association is a relative’s wedding certificate dated 29th October 1818.
Nigel comes from a Christian family. His maternal grandfather was Sunday school superintendent and church warden of St James the Less Ashted. The church was bombed and the parish absorbed into St Matthews Duddeston in the 1960’s
Nigel is a Chartered Engineer (IMechE). He served a 5 year indentured apprenticeship before joining the NHS where he held various hospital and regional posts. He has been a member of British Standards Committees and various national steering groups. After 39 years service he has now drawn his pension. His last post in the service was as the Project Manager responsible for the redevelopment of General Practice (GP) premises and Health Centres for the Heart of Birmingham (Teaching) PCT.
Nigel is married with two grown up children. He has a passion for steam engines and railways generally. His other interests are photography and gardening.
Email Nigel
Tel: 0121 327 3880
David Fletcher
David has been a Christian since his teenage years, and he enjoys being actively involved in the life of this parish. Nowadays he usually worships at Aston Parish Church; as a Reader he sometimes leads services or preaches there, or in one of the two other churches in the parish.
David retired in 2013. Before then, for seven years he worked part-time in the St James Advice Centre, which used to offer free advice on immigration, welfare, and other matters. Together with his wife Juliet, he used to lead the Lee Abbey Aston Household Community in Albert Road. They really appreciate the way Christians in Aston work together creatively to present the message of the Gospel to local residents.
David’s particular passions are singing in a local choir, umpiring cricket, working in his allotment, and making “proper” wooden jigsaws!
Sharon Palmer
Sharon was born in Aston, and has worshipped at St James’s for over twenty years. In addition to her daytime job as a chief executive within the voluntary sector, she is a Lay Canon of Birmingham Cathedral and Secretary of Aston Patronage Trust.
She writes: “CAN DO 4:13 is a strong social action organisation within the Parish of Aston and Nechells working to serve people at the point of their greatest need. Having been born in Aston and currently a worshipping member of St James’ for well over 20 years, I am really honoured to serve alongside my fellow board members.”
Rosemary Cripps
Rosemary is married to Nigel. They met more than 35 years ago when Rosemary returned to the Birmingham to work for the City Council Social Services Department after completing her Social Work training.
Rosemary grew up in a Christian (non conformist) family spending her childhood in Kent. She was led to personal faith through the witness of family members and an elderly gentleman at her parents’ church. Over the years her faith has deepened through the encouragement and fellowship of many Christian friends.
Rosemary is retired but has a wide range of interests including being a bereavement support volunteer at a local hospice, volunteering for the Aston & Nechells Foodbank & helping with some of the Parish’s Welcoming and Pastoral Care work.
Rosemary co-ordinates the music at Aston Parish Church. She plays the organ, piano or keyboards and helps to lead the singing. Other interests include playing the cello as a member of the Walsall Symphony & Walsall Senior Citizens Amateur Orchestras, swimming, reading, enjoying concerts and theatre and spending time with her family.
Tel: 0121 327 3880
Stephanie Evans
Stephanie is a keen musician; having graduated with a music degree in the summer before joining our team she regularly leads Sunday morning worship, both in the parish (Aston Parish Church and St Matthew’s Church) and further afield (All Saints, Gravelly Hill). In the rest of her free time she sings with the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, acts with The Fellowship and Grange Players in Walsall, enjoys daily walks with her dog and making gifts for her friends.
Don Finnemore
Don was born at 29 Little Oaks Road, Aston in 1943, and can trace his family back in Aston to 1691. Having always been interested in Aston history, he compiled a guide book for the Church in 1984. Don is married with five grown up children and nine grandchildren.
Don attended Prince Albert Primary school until passing the eleven plus and going to Central Grammar school, after which he did an indentured apprenticeship at GEC Witton and became and Electrical Draughtsman. He now works at home as an Electrical Engineer and Estimator. In the past, he has held positions at IMI, Birmingham University and Birmingham Airport as Electrical Engineer.
He attended St. James Church in Aston and was in the Sunday School and a member of the choir. At the age of 15, he began ringing bells at Aston Parish Church and has been Ringing Master since 1967. He became a born again Christian in 1978 and was trained as a lay reader in the Church of England in the 80’s. Don has also been a member of the St. Martin’s Guild of Church Bell ringers for the Diocese of Birmingham for 49 years and is a Guild Trustee.
Email Don
Tel: 0121 386 2361
