Fr Keith - Vicar of Selby

Selby Abbey

At the Heart of the Community Since 1069

It was announced in Selby Abbey on Sunday that the Vicar Fr Keith Richards would shortly be leaving to take up an appointment as the Priest in Charge of St. Barnabas, Hove, in Sussex. Details of the Licensing will follow as soon as it is known and his new address and telephone number will be forwarded. He anticipates leaving towards the end of August.

Fr Keith began his working life in industrial laboratories at the age of 16 but moved into Higher Education at the age of 19 qualifying as a teacher in 1972. He taught in a South London Church of England Primary School from 1972 – 1985 during which time he was both Deputy Head and Head Teacher. For the next 2 years he was Chaplain to what was then the Derbyshire college of Higher Education before taking on his first incumbency of Rottingdean in East Sussex. Almost 7 years later he was invited to be the Team Rector of Crawly – a large team ministry with 5 parishes, a hospice and an industrial chaplaincy incorporating Gatwick Airport!

Fr. Keith became Vicar of Arundel in 1997 during which time he was made a Canon of Chichester Cathedral and also Rural Dean of the Arundel and Bognor Deanery. He moved to Selby in 2007.

For a number of years Fr. Keith was also a Bishop’s Selector which recommended candidates for training to ordained ministry. He has served on a Diocesan Board of Finance; Mission Renewal Committee; Diocesan Synod and more recently on the Diocesan Advisory Committee. In spite of this he still retains a good sense of humour.

Fr. Keith enjoys listening to music and concerts, has an abiding passion for the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. He enjoys cooking and eating and appreciates a good pint of real ale!

Meet Fr. Keith - Vicar of Selby Abbey