Our Team

This page aims to help you identify and become familiar with the people who lead our church. If you need to contact any of them, please use our contact page or telephone the Parish Office on 01256 840502.

Reverend Nicola Such, Parish Priest

More tea, vicar?

Nicola joined St Mark’s as Vicar in April 2018 and loves being creative and collaborative, building community, working with children, drinking coffee (or tea) and eating cake!

Nicola grew up in Slough and previous to being ordained was a primary school teacher and youth and children’s worker. She has taught in London, Surrey, Bristol and Tanzania and was part of the Christian community at Lee Abbey in Devon before moving to Swindon for her curacy. When she’s not vicar-ing she likes nothing better than to explore new places, wander in nature and have a cuppa and a natter with friends.

Reverend Kim Robins, Curate

Not another holiday!

Kim has been part of St Mark’s since Christmas 2011, first as a church member and then March 2013 as the Parish Administrator.  She enjoys taking holidays and photos, baking and eating cakes, gardening and is known to enjoy filling in spreadsheets! Kim was ordained as a Deacon in July 2021.

Kim grew up in Thatcham and has lived in Basingstoke for over 30 years since marrying Graham. They have two grown up children who have left home. When she’s not working or baking, Kim can be found with her nose in a book or completing her curacy paperwork. She can also be found dressing up to take part in an Open the Book story at one of the local schools or chatting to young people at the Zone.

FURTHER POSITIONS CURRENTLY TO BE AGREED

Primrose Gibson, Church Warden, Immanuel Church

Sue Hooper, Church Warden, St Mark’s Church

Let’s stay in Basingstoke a little longer!

Sue has been part of St Mark’s Church since the early 1980s, when the church met on Sundays in Kempshott Junior School hall. Originally expecting to stay in Kempshott for around four years, Sue and her husband Will, find that they are still here over forty years later.

Sue grew up in West London and, having trained as a primary school teacher, taught in London, the Derbyshire Peak District and in Basingstoke.

With four sons and now proud grandmother to nine grandchildren, Sue likes nothing better than to spend time with her family, but is also a volunteer and an enthusiastic supporter of Compassion UK, a Christian children’s charity. Sue enjoys gardening as well as visiting gardens in the UK and abroad, preferably those with coffee shops and a good selection of cakes.

Clare Nunn, Church Warden, St Mark’s Church

It can all be sorted with a hug!

Clare has been part of St Mark’s for the last 23 years – first joining with her husband Jason and two little boys – who are now 21 & 25! Clare used to be a teacher and has travelled a lot with her family including living overseas in Texas – yeehaa!

She has enjoyed being a Church Warden for the last 3 years and also loves to help lead Tea@2 – a church community tea afternoon every Tuesday as well as serving on the PCC. Over the last 5 years, she has developed a passion for her work with the Basingstoke Foodbank which proves to be rewarding, challenging and fun in equal measure! Clare particularly enjoys swimming, reading, going to the cinema, meeting up for coffee or lunch with friends and encouraging others – but most of all just chatting!

Chris Welton, Church Warden, Immanuel Church

I feel like a Basingstoke local!

Chris was brought up as a Roman Catholic, but stopped attending church in the late 1980s. He restarted by attending at Immanuel Church in 1998 and after participating in an Alpha course the following year discovered his faith once again. He has been a regular member of the Church of England ever since and has had two spells as a Church Warden at Immanuel Church.

He moved down with his parents from London in 1963 as part of the London overspill project. He started training as a Chartered Accountant in 1971 and having qualified, has worked for all his life in Basingstoke (Yes accountants are known to be dull and boring). He can remember Basingstoke as a market town before it was demolished in the late 60’s, went to a farm animal auction at the cattle market and knew there were a lot of pubs in the old town despite being far too young to go in them.

He has lived with his wife Jeannette for over 30 years in Hatch Warren. They love spending time with their family which consists of three daughters, a step daughter, step son and seven grandchildren. Chris enjoys virtually all sports and was an active competitor in several sports when he was younger. Sadly, age has caught up with him and after two knee operations, he now attempts to play golf but there is a lot of room for improvement!

Both he and Jeannette are very keen on attending live music shows and musicals both locally and in London.