Pat Benson

BA (Hons), PGCE     

Youth Leader

I studied for a degree in English at Bangor University where I met John who was studying Forestry. After graduating we married and travelled to Zambia where we lived and worked for a year, John with the forest department and me as a teacher of English and RE at a boys' secondary school.

On our return to England we had our three children and John managed the family farm. His call to ordination changed life for us all and we moved from very rural Devon to the middle of Bristol and then Plymouth, before returning to a more rural lifestyle. When our three children were older, I returned to teaching English in a large comprehensive school in Devon where I shared the responsibility for my subject and for pastoral oversight of a year group.

I am involved with the youth work here at Halstead and Knockholt, helping to run a discussion group for young teenagers in the parishes. I have a keen interest in the ideas and opinions of these young people as they explore their faith and its challenges in today's world. I also enjoy being in the choir at St Margaret's, helping with the flowers and being part of a reading group.