IF you've ever wondered what the clergy like to do in their downtime, Barnton and Winnington's new vicar enjoys nothing more than chopping down trees for firewood at her very own sustainable woodland allotment in Marbury Park. 

The Reverend Debbie Dalby, formerly curate at St. Andrew’s Church Grange, Runcorn, took up her new role in January, and was licenced as ‘priest-in-charge’ at a special service on Tuesday, February 7.

Very much a local, Debbie was born and raised in Little Leigh, and before ordination, had an executive career in the community, voluntary and faith sector, eventually rising to become CEO of Healthwatch, Warrington.

The 52-year-old was also a borough councillor for Vale Royal in her 20s and 30s, and has lived in both Barnton and Winnington parishes in the past.  

Debbie explained how her vision for both Christ Church, Barnton, and St Luke's, Winnington, centres on hospitality and helping to build a real sense of community.

She said: “I’m really excited to be here, and I’ve had such a warm welcome.

“And that’s what we want to extend to the community – a really warm welcome to everyone.

“It’s a very inclusive space in both churches, so I want to say to people, whoever they are and whatever their background, you’re very welcome.

“As far as I’m concerned, that’s what it is all about.

“It’s quite hard, particularly with new estates like we have at Winnington, creating that sense of community.

“But that’s one thing the church is great at – giving people a space to get to know each other."

Outside her ministry, Debbie has a passion for the environment, though she hopes to combine the two through involvement with Forest Church, Marbury, where the congregation explore spirituality through nature, and vice versa.  

She and her family also have their own ‘woodland allotment,’ where they grown and sustainably harvest their own firewood, and she loves anything to do with British wildlife.

In terms of church itself, Debbie says she is, ‘quite open to new ways of doing things, new suggestions, and new ideas’.

She added: “I come from quite a traditional background, and I love a good traditional hymn. But I’m open to services being different and people from all walks of life being welcome.

“That’s very much my perspective on things.”