Rachel grew up in the Staffordshire Moorlands. After reading Environmental Geoscience at Edinburgh University, she spent ten years in youth ministry, most of which was in the Roman Catholic Church in which she was raised.
Following an extraordinary series of events, Rachel became a lay pioneer in the Church of England and began exploring ordination. She trained at St Mellitus College in London before going onto a curacy in a group of villages outside Stratford-upon-Avon. There she opened her vicarage and garden as part of the Quiet Garden Movement, running quiet days and spiritual discipline courses alongside parish ministry.
As a walker, gardener and birdwatcher she’s always been happiest outside in nature, and has become increasingly committed to climate justice and food security. Prior to moving to Gloucestershire in July 2021, she spent the pandemic year volunteering in sustainable horticulture and therapeutic gardening projects in Devon.
St. Andrew's, Awre 