The Revd Richard Banham
Vicar
As a teenager I was drifting with no sense of purpose. Becoming a Christian when I was twenty years old, gave me a purpose and a passion! I love sharing the good news of Jesus with others in creative ways – and helping Christians share their faith with others outside the church. Since getting “Rev-ed up” (ordained) in 2006 a lot of my ministry has focused on helping children, families, young people and young adults discover Jesus and the abundant life he wants for us all. I am so excited to be Vicar of St Mary’s Church - I can’t wait to see how God is going to use us to grow His Kingdom in Watford.
I admit I’ve never been very good at sitting still, so lots of my hobbies have been about burning excess energy. I took up running as a hobby just before I turned fifty and aside from the odd injury, I’ve not stopped! I love working in partnership with others and doing anything which builds community (which includes running!) so, in the years before moving here I organised a pig keeping co-operative and a monthly “steak night” dining club.
Way back at the end of the last century, I married Claire who is a Youth Worker and founder of Haven Hope – a Christian project providing support to children and teenagers with problematic anxiety. We have two children, both in their early twenties, who have certainly kept us busy/entertained over the years!
Eileen Roby
Churchwarden
Eileen was elected as Churchwarden at the Annual Meeting in 2023. She was appointed Vice Chair at the first meeting of the PCC after the APCM; and was acting Chair during the Vicar’s absence in the summer of 2023.
She did not grow up going to church but met Christ when she was sixteen and has walked with him since. Her first church was a Baptist church and she only started going to an Anglican church when she married Andy in 1985, which was when she started attending St Mary’s. She has worshipped at St Mary’s off and on since then as they spent some 16 years overseas; Andy working for the government on development and Eileen raising a family and finding work where she could. They have three grown-up daughters and 2 grandchildren who keep them well occupied and remind them of the pleasures that life brings. She is a teacher by profession and retired at the end of the 2022/23 academic year. She also has a degree in HR which she is sure will come in useful as a Churchwarden.
Email - eileen.roby@stmaryswatford.org
Marcus Jones
Churchwarden
Marcus has attended St Mary’s since 1989. He was elected as Churchwarden at the Annual Meeting in 2024 but served previously in that role during 1999-2003, which included a Vacancy. He has also served on the PCC’s Staff Committee (2012-2019) and was PCC Secretary (2022-2024).
He has always felt the presence of God in his life thanks to his mother and the headmaster of his first school. However, he did not make a personal commitment to Christ until, at the age of 18, he heard a sermon about the meaning of the cross at a church in central London. His years of training there taught him much about discipleship, service and leadership.
Marcus is a retired civil servant. He has many interests, largely in the arts and music, but also in theology, history and politics. He has a special interest in how the Bible speaks to social justice and its challenge to the way we do politics. He ran a monthly Current Affairs Group for several years and still holds occasional meetings e.g on the General Election.
Marcus is married to Caroline and they have two adult sons.
Email - marcus.jones@stmaryswatford.org
Pam Rastall
Church Administrator
Pam joined in September 2019 and is a key part of the team! She is working part-time in the Church Office and also working in the Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy. Pam has amazing experience having previously worked in the Church Office at St Lawrence, Abbots Langley for thirty years and after deciding it was time for a change, these two jobs popped up! We feel very lucky to have her with us!
Email - office.stmaryswatford@gmail.com
Liz Allan
Facilities Manager
Liz joined the staff team at St Mary’s in 2019 but was an active part of the church family from the moment she started coming! Originally from Lancaster, Liz has now been a Watford resident for 16 years with her Husband and daughter Sophie. She started her working life as a Play Leader looking after 4-11 year olds and continues to volunteer with the church playgroup. Liz loves photography, nature & animals so you may also find her at the Zoo where she can combine all three things!
Email - stmarysfacilitiesmanager@gmail.com