Norfolk Policeman Detective Constable Neil Wilson has retired from the force after 26 years to spend two months in Brazil where he will help build houses for slum dwellers.
Colin, 53, who lives north of
Norwich and worked with Police investigation teams and crime squads, headed out to South America at the beginning of October with the Christian charity,
Mission Direct. He said: “It’s been a little bit strange, but I went to Zambia with Mission Direct in 2009 and from then on I knew that, having seen abject poverty up close and personal, I had to help the poor.
"I’m not trying to set myself up as a saint or anything, but I realised that was where my life was destined to be really.” Colin, who hopes to embark on a further charity trip in January to Cambodia, where he hopes to spend four months helping others, need to raise sponsorship for both trips. To sponsor Mr Wilson go to
www.virginmoneygiving.com/NeilWilson128 or to follow his blog log onto
www.Weelz1958.livejournal.com To find out more about Mission Direct log onto
www.missiondirect.org
The Bishop of Norwich has ordained four new deacons in Norwich Cathedral. They are: Stephen Andrews (54) who will serve in the Great Yarmouth Team Ministry, Helen Garrard (46) who will serve in Ranworth with Panxworth, South Walsham and Upton and Woodbastwick, Maggie Swayze (62) who will serve in Diss and Paul Wilkinson (48) who will serve at the Fountain of Life in Ashill.
Norfolk rector, Rev Adrian Bell, conducted the wedding of his own son James Bell to Amanda Knights, both 26, from Thorpe St Andrew, on October 1 at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, in Fakenham.
Rev Bell, 64, who is Rector of St Peter and St Paul’s Church, said: “It was very emotional because James has been very supportive by helping out during difficult times. He has always been there, regardless, and is always ready to help everyone.”
The family of a north Norfolk clergyman killed in a crash near Fakenham have shared precious memories of the “eccentric” grandfather. The Rev John Miller was busy planning his 80th birthday party and golden wedding anniversary before the crash on the A148 at Kettlestone, near Little Snoring, on September 28.
Mr Miller, of Walsingham, was airlifted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, but never regained consciousness and later died of his injuries. His youngest son, Tim, said: “He spent his life working with vulnerable people. He was eccentric, but very socially adept and he enjoyed chatting to people.”