The Reverend Alison Cooper
Following the retirement of The Revd Sue Diggory, as Vicar of Crockham Hill on 31 January 2021, The Bishop of Rochester licensed The Revd Alison Cooper as Interim priest on 3rd March.
Introducing the Revd Alison B Cooper
Life before Crockham Hill: My husband, Rod, and I lived in Ascot from our marriage in 1977 until a move to Limpsfield Chart in 2010. We have five daughters, ten grandchildren and Rod is now the proud great-grandfather to four little ones! I was ordained priest in the Oxford diocese in 2005, having been a licensed lay minister for the previous eighteen years. I was fortunate enough to be offered full-time training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon on the outskirts of Oxford, an opportunity to be immersed in good study of the scriptures, a love of which has been an abiding passion.
I served my title in our home church of Ascot Heath before moving to the neighbouring parishes of Sunninghill and South Ascot as an associate priest, followed by the move to St Andrew's at Limpsfield Chart as minister in charge. The Royal Ascot Racecourse fell within our parish boundary at Ascot Heath, and I was excited to follow a dream to set up a chaplaincy there, a chance that presented itself when the course was redeveloped. That became a central focus for my ministry, believing that to 'take the church out to the people', whether in their homes, schools or workplaces, was a priority in mission. Alongside this has been a joy in all aspects of worship, particularly gathering the people around the Lord's table in the Eucharist, and to this end exploring good use of liturgy and music. The ministry of healing has also been a focal point in my church life, as has the practice of receiving and offering spiritual accompaniment and working with adults, in particular in their faith exploration.
My family has always played a loving and vital role in my life and I count music and all aspects of the natural world, especially that discovered in our back yard, as very close to my heart.
Over the last seven years in this village, I have come to know and love the people of Crockham Hill and being offered this opportunity to serve the parish and the village in a priestly and Christo-centric manner, has come as a gift from God, to which I aspire with great delight and gratitude.
The Reverend Ali Cooper Ali and Rod
Reverend Alison Cooper was licensed as our interim Vicar on 3rd March 2021. Alison’s appointment in the parish is on the basis of four days a week including Sunday duties. She and her husband, Rod, live in Oakdale Lane in the village. Apart from Sunday, Alison is normally on duty on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. She can be contacted by phone (01732 669447/07747 682139) or email (alison8@talktalk.net) and will usually respond the same day.
Normally, Alison is very happy to visit or to welcome people to her home at Rosemary Cottage. However, because of the present restrictions due to the Covid virus, Alison is unable to visit people or to welcome them to her home, but is available either by telephone or email.