The Venerable Nicky Fenton
Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales
nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org
01332 388658

Emily Woodhouse
PA to the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales
emily.woodhouse@derby.anglican.org
01332 278177

Having loved four months working as acting archdeacon, I was absolutely delighted and thrilled to be invited to continue the work that I have started and to partner with you to create transformed lives through growing church and building community, so that we might be good news for all and bring God’s kingdom nearer.

I was born in Birmingham and came to faith when I was 17 through a mixture of a Billy Graham Crusade, a school Christian Union, membership of uniformed organisations and Bible reading at home.

I am married to Michael; a chartered accountant and we have two adult children Emily and Sophie, and we enjoy going out for meals and exploring new places together. Most days I try to get to the gym and either swim or do aqua, pilates or yoga. Music and dance have played a significant part in my life too. When I’m on my own I love reading, watching films, jigsaw puzzles.

Prior to ordination, I worked in education – my last teaching job was as nursery teacher with 95 pre-school children and a team of nine staff in my care. I also have a qualification in people practice.

My theological education was based at Cranmer Hall and my curacy in St Ann’s, Nottingham. My previous roles within the Diocese of Derby include Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Hazelwood, Holbrook, Milford with Shottle, Diocesan School Missioner, Bishop’s Adviser in Spirituality, Retired Clergy Officer, Bishop’s Chaplain, and a residentiary canon at Derby Cathedral.

The image that speaks to me most clearly about my ministry as an archdeacon is that of a midwife: coming alongside people and places offering ongoing care, guidance and advice; mediating and bridging gaps between different groups of people; supporting the birthing of new initiatives and offering comfort and strength as people let go, and breaking down barriers to change and growth.

I focus my ministry around five key priorities – prayer, people, places, projects and planning - while ensuring I am also attentive to my ongoing personal formation.  I would love the opportunity to share with you what that looks like in practice – so please do invite me to come and visit!

My prayer is that knowing we are loved by God, and supported by each other, we can give ourselves wholeheartedly to serving God in the communities and worshipping contexts we are part of; and consistently and persistently move forward in generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.

Parish map of the Archdeaconry of Derbyshire Peak and Dales

>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of Derbyshire Peak and Dales (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]

>> Maps of individual deaneries can be downloaded from their respective pages here.

The Venerable Matthew Trick
Archdeacon of Derby and South Derbyshire
matthew.trick@derby.anglican.org
01332 388684

Sue Hidderley-Burton
PA to the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire
sue.hidderley-burton@derby.anglican.org
01332 388682

Parish map of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire

>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]

>> Maps of individual deaneries can be downloaded from their respective pages here.

Bishop Libby on sabbatical

Bishop Libby will be on sabbatical from Friday 2 May through to Sunday 3 August 2025. During this period all of the legal and statutory duties of the Bishop of Derby shall continue as normal through delegation to the Bishop of Repton.

Please continue to liaise with the Bishop’s Office as normal by telephone on 01332 840132, or by email at bishop@bishopofderby.org. All correspondence will be automatically forwarded to +Malcolm for the duration of +Libby’s time away. +Malcolm will continue to work from Repton House.

The Archdeacons and the Parish Support Team at Church House will continue to be on hand to provide support and advice to parishes as normal. Bishop Libby will return to her duties in August.

Temporary office relocation

From Thursday 1 May 2025, the Bishop of Derby’s office will be based at Derby Church House to allow the Church Commissioners to make repairs and improvements to the office.  

Please direct any post during this time to:

The Bishop of Derby’s Office, c/o Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR

Office emails and phone numbers will remain the same.

The move will take place during the week commencing Monday 28 April.  The Bishop’s office may not be able to respond to emails or calls as promptly as usual during this week.

The Bishop’s office expect to be at Derby Church House until the end of this year.  Information regarding their move back to Duffield will be provided when plans have been confirmed.

The Bishop of Derby is the Rt Revd Libby Lane.

Bishop Libby was installed at Derby Cathedral on 25 May 2019, having previously been the Suffragan Bishop of Stockport, in the Diocese of Chester – a post she occupied from 2015.

Libby describes Derbyshire as ‘the place that holds my heart’.

She grew up in Glossop in the north-west of the county and was selected for ordination while working in the parish of St Thomas Brampton, Chesterfield.

Bishop Libby said: “I am excited and privileged to have been called to serve as Bishop of Derby.

“I grew up here and my vocation was fostered here. Derbyshire nurtured me and brought me to faith and I want to love Derbyshire back.

“I want to lead a church in Derbyshire where people find hope because they know they are loved by God in Christ, and I pray that hope sets us free to live our lives in ways that bring change for good.”

If you wish to contact the Bishop of Derby's office, the contact details are:

The Bishop’s Office
6 King Street
Duffield
Derby
DE56 4EU

01332 840132 | bishop@bishopofderby.org

Download the Bishop of Derby's Office's Privacy Statement [PDF]

The term of office of the current Diocesan Synod ends on 31 July 2015.  Therefore Derby Diocese must elect a new Diocesan Synod from its clergy and church members. The electors are members (other than currently co-opted members) of the House of Clergy and the House of Laity of the Deanery Synods of the Diocese. The rules state that the electors are defined at 6.00am on the date on which the nominations papers are issued locally by the Deanery.

Elections to the new Diocesan Synod will be carried out during the period May to July 2015 to a timetable fixed by the Bishop in accordance with Church Representation Rule 32(1).  The new Diocesan Synod will take office on 1 August 2015 and the first meeting of the new Diocesan Synod will be on 17 October 2015. 

The Bishop, in accordance with Rule 32(2) has appointed the Rural Deans to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Laity of Deanery Synods and the Lay Chairs to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Clergy of Deanery Synods.

Nominations

A Notice of Election must be sent to every qualified elector, together with a nomination form. Every candidate may be nominated and seconded by qualified electors and every candidate must express with their signature, their willingness to serve, if elected. Opportunity is provided for a candidate, if he or she so desires, to set out in 100 words or fewer, a factual statement, such as professional qualifications, present office of relevant experience, for circulation with the voting papers.

 Nomination Forms will be posted to all electors on 14 May 2015.  Nomination Forms will be sent by post on the same day in order that every elector is treated equally.

Valid paper copies of Nomination Forms must be returned by mid-day on 5 June which is the closing date for nominations.

If nominations are received, which are equal to or less than the number to be elected, then these persons will be elected and notified accordingly.  If there are less than the number of people to be elected then the remaining places are treated as casual vacancies and are then filled by the House of Clergy or the House of Laity by a method to be decided by them in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.  This process is the responsibility of the Chair of the appropriate House.

Voting Papers

If there are more nominations than there are places to fill, then an election will be organised. A voting paper must be circulated to every qualifying elector by post no later than 12 June 2015 and these have to be returned by mid-day on 3 July. The completed voting paper must be signed by the elector, together with their full name written on the reverse of the form in order to be valid.  Candidates will be notified of the result. In the event of equality of votes, the decision shall be taken by lot by the Presiding Officer.

TIMELINE

14 May 2015                        Each Deanery issues Notice of Election and Nomination Papers

  5 June 2015                        Closing date for nominations

19 June 2015                       Deanery issues voting papers (if elections are required)

  3 July 2015                          Closing date for voting

10 July 2015                         Deanery presiding officers inform Diocesan Secretary, Deanery Synod Secretaries and candidates of election results and of Diocesan Synod Members

15 July 2015                         Diocesan Synod Elections must be complete

1 August 2015                     Members of the new Diocesan Synod hold office from this date

17 October 2015               First meeting of the new Diocesan Synod

NUMBERS TO BE ELECTED

DEANERY                                   Clergy                     Laity                      

Alfreton                                         3                               3

Bakewell and Eyam                      4                               5

Bolsover & Staveley                     3                                4

Buxton                                          3                               2

Chesterfield                                  8                               8

Glossop                                        2                               3

Wirksworth                                   2                               3

Ashbourne                                   2                               3

Derby North                                 6                               4

Derby South                                5                               4

Duffield                                        3                               5

Heanor                                        2                               2

Erewash                                      5                               6

Longford                                     2                                2

Melbourne                                  3                                3

Repton                                        3                                 4

Diocesan Synod

The statutory governing body of the Diocese is the Diocesan Synod which is elected with representation across the Diocese with broadly equal numbers of clergy and lay people meeting together in Diocesan Synod with the diocesan Synod with the diocesan bishop, the suffragan bishop and archdeacons.

Its role is to:

• consider matters affecting the Church of England in the Diocese;
• act as a forum for debate of Christian opinion on matters of religious or public interest;
• advise the Bishop where requested;
• deal with matters referred by General Synod; and
• provide for the financing of the Diocese.

Deanery Synod

Deanery Synods have two houses, laity and clergy, and their role is to:

• respond to requests from General Synod;
• give effect to the decisions made by the Diocesan Synod;
• consider matters affecting the Church of England by drawing together the views of the parishes within the deanery;
• act as a channel of communication to express the views of parishes to Diocesan Synod and thence to General Synod;
• raise with Diocesan Synod such matters as it considers appropriate; and
• elect members of the deanery to the Diocesan Synod and in respect of the House of Laity elect lay members of the Diocese to General Synod.

The Bishop's Council (and Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod)

Under the construction of the Diocesan Synod, Bishop's Council has the following functions:

• to plan the business of the Synod, to prepare the agenda for its sessions and to circulate to members information about matters for discussion;
• to initiate proposals for action by the Synod and to advise it on matters on policy which are placed before it;
• to advise the President, being the Diocesan Bishop, on any matters which he may refer to the Committee;
• subject to the directions of the Synod, to transact the business of the Synod when the Synod is not in session;
• to appoint members of committees or nominate individuals for election to committees, subject to the directions of the synod; and
• to carry out such functions as the Synod may delegate to it. 

Got a question about APCMs? See our FAQs

>> 2025 Diocesan Meeting Schedule

Synodical procedure

Diocesan Synod

The statutory governing body of the Diocese is the Diocesan Synod which is elected with representation across the Diocese with broadly equal numbers of clergy and lay people meeting together in Diocesan Synod with the diocesan Synod with the diocesan bishop, the suffragan bishop and archdeacons.

Its role is to:

• consider matters affecting the Church of England in the Diocese;
• act as a forum for debate of Christian opinion on matters of religious or public interest;
• advise the Bishop where requested;
• deal with matters referred by General Synod; and
• provide for the financing of the Diocese.

Click here for more information, including Diocesan Synod members for the Triennium 

Deanery Synod

Deanery Synods have two houses, laity and clergy, and their role is to:

• respond to requests from General Synod;
• give effect to the decisions made by the Diocesan Synod;
• consider matters affecting the Church of England by drawing together the views of the parishes within the deanery;
• act as a channel of communication to express the views of parishes to Diocesan Synod and thence to General Synod;
• raise with Diocesan Synod such matters as it considers appropriate; and
• elect members of the deanery to the Diocesan Synod and in respect of the House of Laity elect lay members of the Diocese to General Synod.
  
  

The Bishop's Council (and Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod)

Under the construction of the Diocesan Synod, Bishop's Council has the following functions:

• to plan the business of the Synod, to prepare the agenda for its sessions and to circulate to members information about matters for discussion;
• to initiate proposals for action by the Synod and to advise it on matters on policy which are placed before it;
• to advise the President, being the Diocesan Bishop, on any matters which they may refer to the Committee;
• subject to the directions of the Synod, to transact the business of the Synod when the Synod is not in session;
• to appoint members of committees or nominate individuals for election to committees, subject to the directions of the synod; and
• to carry out such functions as the Synod may delegate to it. 

The Diocese of Derby consists of most of Derbyshire and a couple of parishes in Staffordshire.

The cathedral is in Derby itself.

The diocese serves a population of around one million people and has more than 300 churches.

It works in communities, schools, prisons and hospitals as well being represented in various other aspects of city and county life.

Under three archdeacons, the Archdeaconries of Derby City and South Derbyshire, Derbyshire Peak and Dales, and East Derbyshire consist of deaneries and parishes all of which work alongside Christians of other denominations.

The diocese began life as the Archdeaconry of Derby and was originally part of the Diocese of Lichfield.

It was moved to form part of the Diocese of Southwell, when that diocese was created in 1884.

In 1927 the Archdeaconries of Derby and Chesterfield became the new Diocese of Derby, as a response to population growth. 

All Saints Derby was hallowed as the Cathedral on the 28th October 1927 and the next day the first Bishop of Derby, Edmund Pearce, was installed.   

Although only founded as a separate diocese in 1927, the county has a long and rich Christian history.