Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of five elected members and five appointed members.  See the bottom of this page for upcoming PPC meetings.

Elected Members

Teresa Britton (Elected representative for liturgy)

I am married to Mick and we have four grown-up children and two grandchildren.  I have been a member of St Mary's parish since moving here in 1979.  During that time, I have been involved as a catechist for Children's Liturgy of the Word and for the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion groups, as a Eucharistic minister, a reader and a sacristan.  I also enjoy taking my turn on the flower-arranging rota.  I was born in Liverpool where I trained as a primary school teacher.  Before retiring, I taught at St Robert's Harrogate for 18 years.  I was recently appointed as a Foundation Governor for St Mary's.

Jules Finn

I currently represent International Outreach Mission on St Mary's PPC.  My family and I have been parishioners at St Mary's Church for 18 years.

I live in Staveley and have 3 children who have attended both St Mary's Primary School and St John Fisher High School.  My children are actively involved in the church ministries as Acolytes and Bidding Prayer Leaders.  I am a member of our Parish Fundraising Committee and a Reader at Mass.

Amanda Kelly (Elected representative for our support ministries - cleaning, gardening, church flowers ...)

After 30 years teaching in St Mary's Primary school I am now retired and still managing to keep busy.  I usually go to 5pm Mass on Sunday and am a Eucharistic Minister.  I am part of the fundraising team which involves me in many of the social events of the Parish.

Frances Watson

I am married, have two grown up children and four grandsons.  Before retiring I worked as Leader of St Mary's Pre-School and Teaching Assistant at St Robert's Harrogate, both thirteen years each.  I was baptised in St Mary's many moons ago.  I am catechism for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and in the past Children's Liturgy of the Word and Confirmation.  I am privliged to be a Eucharistic minister.  I help at the parish friendship group and am a member of our prayer group.   

Appointed Members (appointed by the Parish Priest)

Paul Jackson (With responsibility for representing the parish school)

I have been a member of St Mary's parish since moving to Knaresborough from London in 2001.  I am married, with two grown up children and three grandchildren.  I am a Eucharistic Minister and was appointed to the Academy Council (governors) of our parish primary school in September 2015, elected to the role of chair from September 2016.  I am now happily retired but spent my teaching career in Catholic, secondary education, with 22 years as headteacher in two Catholic secondary schools, including St John Fisher Catholic School, Harrogate, from 2001 to 2014.

Simon Stockdale

I am Simon Stockdale and our family has been part of the parish since we moved to the area in 2006.  I am a primary school teacher and have worked at a number of schools including St Mary's from 2006 until 2010.  I am currently a Eucharistic minister and a sacristan.

Vince McGurk

I have been a member of St Mary's parish since moving to Knaresborough in 1998.  I am married to Janet and we have 2 daughters both of whom attended St Mary's Primary School and St John Fisher High School.  I have been the Parish Health and Safety advisor for nearly 20 years, a member of the Parish Finance Committee for 5 years and a Eucharistic Minister for the last 4 years.  My background is in distribution and services businesses. 

Chris Clissitt

I have been a member of St Mary's parish since moving to Knaresborough in 1993.  I am married with three grown up children, all now living in the south.  I am a reader, a bulletineer and the minutes secretary for the Parish Finance Committee.  I also look after the Parish Contact database - you may receive mailshots about parish events from me from time to time!