NEW PRECENTOR INSTALLED AT SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

The Revd Tom Clammer was installed as the new Canon Precentor at Salisbury Cathedral during Evensong on Saturday 28 April. The appointment, made by the Bishop of Salisbury the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, sees Tom become one of the three full-time residentiary Canons at the Cathedral working alongside the Dean.

Gallery of photographs here.

Speaking afterward the service Tom (aged 31) said “It is wonderful to have arrived in the Salisbury community. Emma and I have been made so welcome by everyone. I am grateful to all those who made my installation such a memorable occasion and I am now looking forward keenly to becoming part of the worshipping life of the Cathedral family.”

The Canon Precentor is head of the Department of Liturgy and Music and responsible for devising and delivering all services at the Cathedral. Tom will build on its tradition of creative and transforming liturgy with a brief of further developing its reputation as a centre of excellence in Cathedral music. He will also advise Chapter in relation to its mission and ministry in Cathedral and diocesan life. The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd June Osborne, said “We are delighted that Tom has now begun his life with us here in Salisbury. He has a wide understanding of the ministry and mission of the Cathedral together with immense enthusiasm and warmth, engaging with everybody he meets. His is a demanding role because Salisbury Cathedral delivers high quality services to a broad range of voluntary and civic bodies with widely varying needs in addition to our commitment to daily worship, but we are confident Tom has all the skills and insight required.”

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, said “Tom Clammer is young and exceptionally able. He will be an outstanding Precentor.”

Ordained in 2005, Tom previously held a dual role appointment in the Diocese of Gloucester as Priest-in-Charge of the Severnside Benefice and the Diocesan Worship Officer. He is currently reading part-time for a PhD in Liturgical Theology at the University of Winchester. Married to Emma, they share a love of the sea and sailing, the cinema, entertaining their friends and colleagues, and singing.

was born in Sheffield in 1980. He studied Geography at the University of Sussex, and then worked as a parish assistant for one year at St Barnabas’ Church, Dulwich Village, South London. Between 2002 and 2005 Tom trained for ordination at Westcott House theological college in Cambridge. He married Emma in September 2003.
In July 2005 Tom was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Gloucester, and served his Title in the parish of Longlevens, a suburban parish on the northern edge of Gloucester city. He was particularly involved in ministry to the schools, youth and young adults, and in co-ordinating the team of servers. His role also included leading the parish during his incumbent’s three month sabbatical leave, and reacting to the catastrophic flooding of large parts of the parish during the summer floods of 2007.
In October 2008 Tom was installed as Priest in Charge of Deerhurst with Apperley, Forthampton, Chaceley, and Tredington with Stoke Orchard and Hardwick, a rural benefice with a wide range of worshipping styles and population types. He has concentrated particularly on building up the benefice as a united group of Christians. He has addressed the Sunday worship, introduced study courses, and encouraged the training of lay people in leadership in the church and community. He has served as chaplain to two borough Mayors, the local Royal British Legion and local Sea Cadet unit. He has trained a curate, as well as several placement students. He recently led a significant reordering of the Grade 1 listed Deerhurst Priory Church.
Tom also holds the post of Diocesan Worship Officer based in Church House, Gloucester, working there two days a week. This is a teaching and training role which sees him devising and delivering a wide range of training to lay people and clergy across the diocese in various areas of worship, liturgy and music.
Tom has published two papers on the theology of ordination, and a training course which is now being used nationally to train lay people in the leadership of worship. He is currently reading for a PhD in Liturgical Theology through the University of Winchester. Tom and Emma own a narrow boat called Cariad to which they escape whenever possible and have begun to explore the canal network during their holidays. Both enjoy film and theatre, and are constantly amused and frustrated by their tabby and white rescue cat, Esther. Emma was recently appointed Head of Performing Arts at Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh.