Former Lincolnshire journalist Neil Vickers has started his new job – as the Methodist Minister for Retford.

He has moved to the north Notts town with his wife and children to start a five year term in the Methodist circuit in something of a career change from writing.

Neil, 45, had always had the ministry at the back of his mind but was advised against it at school.

Now, a few years down the line, he’s realised his ambition.

He became a minister two years ago after finishing a course at Wesley College, Bristol, then spent his first two years as a qualified minister in Worksop.

Neil was a freelance journalist at the Lincolnshire Echo, where he had a number of roles during ten years there, including business, farming and motoring correspondent.

Before that he was a sheet metal worker, a civil servant and also trained to be an accountant.

He’s now responsible for nine churches and is looking forward to five busy years at the helm.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here