Mary Melbourne
Licensed Lay Worker
Mary was licensed as a Lay Worker in 2021 and is also a Churchwarden, Focal Minister and Organist at Breamore. She is now continuing her training to become a Licensed Lay Minister.
Having been born and brought up in Southampton, Mary moved to Fordingbridge in 1980 with her husband David (who is Sacristan at Fordingbridge) and both quickly became involved in the life of the Church and the town. Shortly after moving to Fordingbridge, Mary learnt to ring and joined the band of ringers at both Fordingbridge (8 bells) and Breamore (4 bells). This interest for ringing has remained with her and she can frequently be found in nearby churches assisting with the ringing.
Although now almost retired, Mary spent most of her working life as a Music Teacher both privately at home and in schools. She has taught scores of local children to play the piano and worked for many years in a Residential School for children with severe learning difficulties. In 2010 she qualified as a Humanistic Counsellor, a skill that she now uses to help with Pastoral Care in the Parish.
Her interests are music of all kinds, cooking, reading, walking and gardening