Copthorne Village website

 Alastair Cutting

The Reverend Alastair Cutting came to Copthorne in 1996 from running The Nave, an arts centre which was part of St Margaret's Church, in the Uxbridge Team Ministry; and before that two parishes in the Sheffield Diocese.

Roger Walker

The Reverend Roger Walker moved to Copthorne from the parish St Andrew's Hove, and he and his wife Margaret were keen to build up the congregation, and to make sure that members of the congregation grew in their understanding of God and of their faith in Him. The most 'noticeable' thing Mr Walker will be remembered for in the village was the way that he 'revealed' the church, hidden for a number of years behind extensively overgrown hedging, with the help of his agriculturalist son. Unfortunately the Copthorne air did not agree with him physically, and Mr Walker left to take on an early retirement role in Streat & Westmeston. Fortunately his health got much better after his move.

Lesley & Peter Baden, (& Bracken)

The Reverend Peter Baden had a very different style. The parish magazine took on a new style when the Vicarage dog 'Bracken' (sic) started writing articles! Numbers for the choir were struggling, but fortunately Mrs Lesley Baden was able to support with some of the newer guitar based music, and liturgical dance was also used from time to time. St. John's became known as a church moving in the Charismatic Movement. Peter moved on to be Vicar of Clifton in Cumbria.

Fred Butler

'Father Fred' Butler was one of the real characters of the village during his time as Vicar, with his larger than life personality, rotund black-cassocked figure, and flowing white locks. He made a big hit by playing the Pantomime Dame in the village one year with the Copthorne Players, and was famed for his bar-room banter and his love of model railways! He also led the choir-practice each week personally, as the organist at the time, Bernard Saunders, was not able to be back from London in time in the evenings.

The church also celebrated its Centenary during Father Fred's time, and there was a year-long succession of events including a large formal Open-air Mass on the Village Green, with the many previous clergy of the parish, and with the Bishop of Chichester presiding. Nora Butler was involved in helping plan many of the events. Fred had a warm catholic churchmanship. He was known locally before he was ordained, working in the print industry. He went on from Copthorne to be Team Rector of Moulscoomb, and then to Etchingham and Hurst Green. He retired to Eastbourne attached to the parish he had been a choirboy at, and died unexpectedly in the autumn of 2001.

David Couling

The Reverend David Couling was involved in the replacing of the Vicarage, and had the foresight to see that the temporary Church Hall would not in itself be enough in the long-term, but a purpose built facility would best suit the needs of the Parish. How right he was! Being incumbent during a building programme in a parish can be rather wearing - but often bears much fruit in the parish in the long run. Mr Couling went on to be Vicar of St. Michael's Eastbourne, and then to the North-East.