Reverend Richard Corrie has been appointed priest-in-charge of the benefices of both Wigton and Thursby.

Since September 2023 Father Corrie has been temporary curate-in-charge of both benefices, taking the regular services during the interregnum following the retirement of Canon Geoffrey Ravalde.

Born in Carlisle, Richard is perhaps best-known in Cumbria generally as the voice of the early morning programmes on BBC Radio Cumbria – until last year when he moved into full-time ministry.

His broadcasting career began in the 1990s with voluntary work for Carlisle’s hospital radio before landing a role as a presenter for CFM.

He moved to Radio Cumbria in 2008.

Throughout his broadcasting career, Richard felt a definite vocation for ministry in the Church of England. He began this journey as a server and assistant organist at Currock Methodist Church, moving on to St Herbert’s Parish Church in Currock and later St Michael and St Mark’s Church in Stanwix.

Having become a licensed lay reader in 2004, Richard continued to pursue his vocation alongside his busy radio schedule and in 2019 was at last accepted by the Diocese of Carlisle to train for ordination.

Having spent a short period as curate at Carlisle Cathedral, Richard was ordained priest in 2022. Following his ordination,

Revd Richard was Assistant Curate for the Warnell Parishes (the churches of Westward, Caldbeck, Rosley and others) before becoming temporary curate-in-charge of Wigton and Thursby last year.  

News of his appointment has been greeted with 'innumerable expressions of delight' from the Richard’s congregations and the wider communities of Wigton and Thursby.

Richard is particularly well-known in Wigton as the owner of Bryce’s Chippy for nearly 20 years.

Before selling this business earlier this year, Richard was regularly to be seen behind the counter - sporting his ‘dog collar’ - serving fish and chips – and agreeing to take baptisms and weddings for his customers too.

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Besides regular services in both Wigton and Thursby, Rev'd Richard is now also embarking on a new journey into podcasting.

The Cumbrian Faith Podcast, launched earlier this month, features faith stories from around Cumbria, interviews with local ministers and lay people, plus a round-up of church events taking place in the area – all presented by Rev'd Richard.

 Revd Richard continues as curate-in-charge of both Wigton and Thursby until his official licensing service as priest-in-charge, which will take place in St Mary’s, Wigton, on Tuesday, October 8