Andrew Salt
A statement from The Rt Revd Libby Lane - Bishop of Derby; Hannah Hogg - Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Helen Jebb - Independent Chair of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel
Today the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its report into the Church of England. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, alongside the CofE lead safeguarding bishop and the national director of safeguarding have set out their thoughtsin an open letter.
We would like to assure you of our shared and joint commitment to Safeguarding and place this at the heart of our Diocese. Safeguarding is a fundamental expression of our faith and a sign of the Kingdom of God. At this difficult time, we will support those affected by the publication of the report.
The new safeguarding leadership team including Hannah Hogg, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Helen Jebb, Independent Chair of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel in the Diocese of Derby will be taking time to digest and understand the outcomes and learning from the report and are committed to making changes which promote a safer church culture.
If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want totalk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk. There are also other support services available.
Alternatively, please contact the diocesan safeguarding team in Derby.
The Bishop of Huddersfield, Jonathan Gibbs, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop and Melissa Caslake the Church’s national director of safeguarding have issued a joint statement on behalf of the national Church of England.
The monthly diocesan message is available to download here
May 2026
Download Revd Canon Matt Barnes message for May
April 2026
Download Bishop Malcolm's message for April
March 2026
Download Dean Peter's message for March
Church of England Digital Labs
Diocese of Derby in-house training: Learning in Faith Bitesize and Discipleship training
Deanery Synod
7pm for 7.30pm start
Chapel-en-le-Frith Primary School, Warmbrook Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0NL
Wednesday, 6 November 2024
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Wednesday, 2 Jult 2025
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Full Chapter meetings
2024 - 10am for 10.30am start
Tuesday, 12 November 2024 - St John's Institute, Commercial Road, Tideswell, SK17 8LF
2025 dates not available currently.
Leadership Team Meetings
Becket Room, Chapel-en-le Frith 1pm
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Monday, 10 February 2025
Archdeacon's Visitation
To be announced
The Revd Ian Mountford, Associate Priest of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh from 2014, Vicar-designate of the same benefice (Derby), previously Curate of Chilwell 1996-2000 (Southwell) and Team Vicar of Thame 2000-2014 (Oxford), died on Saturday, 7 December, 2019. Funeral details to follow.
The Revd Canon Geraldine Pond, recently retired as Diocesan Director of Vocations with responsibility for clergy well-being and Warden of Readers, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed interim Chaplain to the Cathedral Church of All Saints Derby for a period of one year. Canon Pond will start in post on Sunday, 15 December 2019.
Mr John Spreadborough will be ordained deacon in the parish of Elton within the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 15 December at 3 pm at All Saints Elton by the Bishop of Repton.
The Revd Louise Petheram will be licensed as House for Duty Priest-in-Charge of Hope, Castleton and Bradwell, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 22 January at 7.30 pm at St Peter’s Hope by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Chesterfield.
The Revd Rachel Williams, Assistant Curate (SSM) of Bolsover, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (SSM - to be known as Associate Priest) in the same benefice. Mrs Williams will be licensed in the new year. Her contact details will not change.
The Revd Louise Petheram, Priest-in-Charge of Youlgreave, Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover, has been appointed House for Duty Priest-in-Charge of Hope, Castleton and Bradwell in the same Diocese. Mrs Petheram hopes to take up her new post in 2020.
The Revd Sarah Watson, Assistant Curate in the Walbrook Epiphany Team Ministry, will transfer her curacy and become Assistant Curate of the Derwent Oak BMO (including St Philip’s Church Plant) and of Spondon in the same diocese with effect from 1 November 2019.
The Revd Peter Green, Vicar of Old Brampton and Great Barlow and Priest-in-Charge of Loundsley Green LEP, has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of The Abbey Group of Parishes, Diocese of Lincoln.
The Revd Richard Benson, Vicar of the White Peak Group, retired with effect from 31 August 2019. Mr Benson will move away from the Diocese after retirement.
We are aware of some suspicious emails that appear to be from clergy and even from Bishop Libby. Responding to the emails will result in requests for money or gift cards.
Please DO NOT reply to the emails.
We are not currently aware how many may be affected; however, it is important that we are all aware and be vigilant to protect our online safety and security.
We are not aware of any system security breach and are in the process of compiling some website best practice guidelines so that our churches can take action to greater protect themselves.
Steps to take if you receive a suspicious email
- DO NOT reply to the email.
- Check the email address of the sender – is it the same email address as usual?
- If in doubt, type in the usual email address of the clergy, rather than just hit reply. Better still, talk to them and check if they have sent this email.
- Run a complete anti-virus scan of your computer.
- If you have sent any money as a direct result of the email, please contact the Police to report the matter.
Steps to take if you are the named sender of a suspicious email
- Reassure any recipients that you have not sent the email and verify your correct email address.
- As a safety procedure, reset your email password and any clergy portal passwords.
- Run a complete anti-virus scan of your computer.
- If you receive any reports of money being sent as a direct result of the email, please contact the Police to report the matter.
On Sunday, 6 October 2019, four candidates were Admitted and Licensed by Bishop Libby as Readers at a very special service in Derby Cathedral. The service also served as a Thanksgiving for 50 years of Reader Ministry by Women.
Our special congratulations to:
Katherine Mary (Kate) Brookbank
Jacqueline Haywood
Anthony (Tony) Hill
Roberta (Bertie) Walker
In addition, Brenda Silcock, who was formally Licensed in the Diocese of York was given Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Derby.
On a later occasion, Martin Cox, Licensed in another diocese will be Licensed to the Diocese of Derby.
Photographs from the day are available to view and download on our Flickr page.
Readers in the Church of England are lay people froma range of backgrounds and experiences who are trained and authorised to preach, teach and lead worship.
There are more than 8,500 Readers actively involved in ministry in the Church of England today.
Men were licensed into the role in 1866, but it was over 100 yars later before women were permitted to become Readers.
Legislation was passed in 1969 and since then the ministry of both women and men as Readers has continued to be a vital part of the life of the Church of England.
