Who's Who

Vicar – David Knight

David spent the first 18 years of his life in Derby. He then went on to the University of London where he read Russian with Music (1963-1966).  After studying Theology at St Edmund Hall, Oxford (1966-68) he trained at St. Stephen’s House, Oxford (1968-70).  Ordination followed in 1970 and he worked in a number of parishes around the London area before taking the post of Canon Precentor at Chelmsford Cathedral in 1991. He became Vicar of St John’s Ranmoor in 2001. David is married to Elizabeth who is a maths teacher at the Sheffield High School and they have two married children, Christopher and Rachel.

Hon. Assistant Priest – Bridget Brooke

Bridget was born in London and trained as an Orthoptist at Moorfield Eye Hospital, London.  She came to Sheffield in 1962 as Head Orthoptist at the Children’s Hospital and in 1978 became Principal of the training of the training school based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. At the same time as coming to Sheffield, she came to St John’s, teaching in the Sunday School and also beginning the Junior Youth Club. In 1980 she was licensed as a Reader and then ordained Deacon in 1989 after training at Mirfield. In 1994 Bridget was one of the first women to be ordained Priest at Sheffield Cathedral.

Reader – David McClean

David is a Professor of Law in the University of Sheffield and also Chancellor of the Diocese. He was formerly Chairman of the General Synod’s House of Laity.

Churchwarden – Alan Heath

Alan has been a member of St John’s since the age of 13 when he joined the choir; he has sung with the choir ever since, He has worked in finance for Sheffield city council education department for many years. In his spare time,  in addition to singing, Alan enjoys football, cricket and walking. He has recently taken on the role of church warden and is enjoying the new challenge.

Director of Music – Robert Webb 

Robert Webb returned to his native Yorkshire in September 2003 to take up the post of Director of Music at St John's. He is also Director of the Sterndale Singers of Sheffield, directs and accompanies various other choirs and groups and is a vocal coach and accompanist at SLP Musical Theatre College in Leeds. Robert is also active as a composer and arranger, and as a teacher of singing and piano.

Assistant Organist – Derek Grover

Derek recently retired following a distinguished career in the civil service. He was a Foundation Scholar and conducted the college choir and orchestra at Clare College, Cambridge, and for fifteen years was conductor of the Sheffield Motet Singers. He has been Assistant Organist at St John's for over twenty years.