Fond farewells and new adventures

Alison Comlay - Office and IT Manager

Alison joined the DBF as IT Services and Office Manager on 2 October 2000. When she arrived:

• The network cabling had only just been installed,
• The database ran on Omnis 3, loaded on a single PC,
• Bulk copying was performed on a risograph which involved cutting stencils for each page – and lots of messy ink, and
• Email was barely used.

In addition, the office space itself was much smaller with the Sowter & Clerical Library occupying the Great Hall, the empty “Miss Trott’s Flat” taking up half the ground floor of the 18th Century wing and the Communications/ Pastoral/ Ramsbury Office section not even built. In fact, this last part of the site was still the old Victorian toilet block which was being used for storage by the Sudan committee.

She has both overseen and assisted with a huge amount of change and improvement over the past 20 years.

Alison has been the Church House authority on cricket, crafting, and all things Portsmouth/ Portchester! If she wasn't in Church House - and you’d checked under all the desks for her hunting down a wiring problem and she’s not hiding in the server room - then she was either in The Mouse Loft creating something amazing with fabric, or in better weather, at The Ageas Bowl. Family means everything to Alison and her extended family at Church House will really miss her.

Alison is married to Stephen, Deanery Treasurer for Stonehenge.

John Kilbee - Mission & Stewardship Advisor (Wilts)

John has served the diocese in this post for 10 years, working alongside Ian Bromilow. John describes this as a "tremendous 10 years working with Ian, learning and understanding how churches grow through their purpose, mission and story."

His role along with Ian’s has enabled them to help parishes and benefices link their vision to stewardship and finance.

John was born in Hong Kong, his first language Cantonese, and started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining an American Bank, Security Pacific where he focused on commercial and corporate banking. Family and cricket remain a passion and new adventures await.

John also serves as the Deanery Treasurer for Calne Deanery and is married to Penelope, who was first commissioned as an LPA in 2009.

Ian Bromilow - Mission & Stewardship Advisor (Dorset)

Like John, Ian has served the diocese in this post for 10 years, serving the parishes and benefices of Dorset. Alongside this role, Ian and his wife Wilma both serve as LPAs and LWLs in the Winterbourne Valley. Both have a very strong pastoral heart and have been involved in running the annual Mother’s Union holiday. Ian has a strong connections to the Sudan Link and is the Milton and Blandford Sudan Link as well as being heavily involved in Milton Abbey, and previously Longmead Community Farm.

Jane Murrell – Team Administrator (Discipleship)

When Jane leaves us on the 15th February 2021, it will be almost 23 years to the day since she joined on the 16th Feb 1998. Jane has held various administrative roles within the Mission and Ministry Team, most recently in supporting the work of the Discipleship Coordinator, LLMs in training and those training for commissioned lay ministries. Jane is one of the kindest and caring people you’ll ever meet. Dedicated to her role, and always willing to go out of her way to support and help others, she’s overseen the team's tea & coffee list, birthday card coordination, and staff prayers rota.

Jane is married to Tim, who runs his own business. Jane also works for Tim and looks after her 2 grandchildren, which she will continue to do when she leaves us in the New Year.

Lisa Cowley - PA to the Bishop of Sherborne

Lisa joined us last December from Sturminster Newton High School. She has missed the setting of a school and leaves us to join Bryanston School in January.

Heather Bland - Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Heather Bland has been our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser for nearly 7 years, and has overseen a sea change in the way we approach Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in this Diocese. Read More…