A FORMER stage manager is raising the curtain on a new era in three Vale of Glamorgan parishes.

The Revd Jon Ormrod is to be licensed as priest in charge of the parishes of Sully and Wenvoe with St Lythans on Tuesday, June 10, by the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, David Wilbourne. All are welcome to the licensing service at St John the Baptist, Sully, at 7.30pm.

Jon, who is moving from Llanstrisant, where he has been the assistant curate for the last three years, takes over from Canon Edward Dowding, who retired last year.

The Revd Andrew James will be licensed as associate priest of these parishes and in a reciprocal cluster arrangement, Jon will also be licensed as associate priest in Andrew’s parish of St Andrews Major with Michaelston-Le-Pit.

Jon, 50, is originally from Neath but worked as a stage manager for many years, including at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Before training for ordination, he was head verger at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, where Shakespeare is buried. He is married to Sheonagh and has two daughters, aged 21 and 23.

“I’ve been a churchgoer throughout my life, from by childhood days in Neath and by the time my vicar in Stratford asked if I had ever thought about ordained ministry, my reply was that I’d been thinking about it for 20 years!” said Jon.

That conversation led to Jon going for selection and training and finally a return to Wales as assistant curate in Llantrisant.

He will be responsible for St Mary’s, Wenvoe, St John’s, Sully and St Bleddian’s, St Lythans.