A local vicar has accepted an additional new role as Norfolk Rural Chaplain. The role aims to provide pastoral, emotional and spiritual care to farmers and agricultural workers across Norfolk regardless of their faith.
The Revd Dr Tim Weatherstone is Rector of Barnham Broom and Upper Yare Benefice as well as the Bishop’s Adviser for Rural Affairs. Before he was a priest, Revd Tim worked in IT for Aviva and as a chemist at Duffields Feed and Flour Mill at Saxlingham.
Revd Tim says:
“I am delighted to have been invited to pilot this new role of Norfolk Rural Chaplain. Much valuable work is already being done and I look forward to working with partner organisations as well as farmers and farming related businesses to continue to bring practical support to this absolutely essential industry.”
The Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen had the idea for a chaplaincy role specifically for the rural community.
“Recent research has shown how much collaborative working amongst organisations is valued by those in need of support and I am determined to lend my efforts to working alongside many others including of course, own own parishes, their clergy and people.”
In the course of 2026, Tim will take on the role of Rural Chaplain part time. He will hold the Bishop of Norwich’s licence, and his role will be supported and paid for by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and has the full support of other rural charities, including YANA (You are not Alone) and the FCN (Farming Community Network).
Revd Dr Tim Weatherstone will continue to live in Reymerston near Dereham and as the role develops, he would like to establish and train a rural chaplaincy team to reach more people with pastoral support.