missioner for the Diocese of Salisbury, where he spent the next nine years serving the Christian mission in country parishes. During this time he developed an interest in information technology.

In 1983 he was appointed to the Deanery of Liverpool cathedral, where David Sheppard was already bishop (1975-1997). Here, with the support of his wife, Joan (née Joan Trollope Fisher,) and in co-operation with his bishop, he