Castel rector leaving after three years for post in Slough

Mr Lamb has served Guernsey as parish rector, vicar of St Matthew’s Church, and the deanery safeguarding officer responsible for ensuring the Church of England is a safer place for children, vulnerable adults, and others who come through church doors.

Mr Lamb and his wife moved to Guernsey three years ago. In that time, he said, he has greatly appreciated the openness of the local community.

‘I like that it’s possible to get stuck in the community in Guernsey and not just church life. In that way, the church is still really woven into the fabric of the island. A lot of places still have an open door to the rector,’ he said.

One of his biggest roles over the last three years has been leading the Guernsey church in safeguarding the vulnerable.

‘I think a safe church is the basis of everything we do. We are trying to protect exactly the same people the church should have special care for – and we are learning from mistakes made in the past,’ he said.

‘It is a subject very much in the media and spotlight. In the last three years, I think everyone has got on board with safeguarding – no one is going to argue it’s not needed.

‘There have been some arguments to be made in Guernsey, but I believe the church is a better and safer place than it was three years ago.’

Although Mr Lamb does not know who will take over the safeguarding role when he leaves, he hoped someone would be appointed to the job.

Mr Lamb is to become rector of Upton-cum-Chalvey in Slough, an urban district near London.

Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker said Mr Lamb’s new appointment was an exciting opportunity.

He expects the area of Slough to see a lot of growth in the next few years as the new Transport for London Elizabeth Line will go through the area.

‘Scott has been a very good colleague and has brought a number of gifts to the island. We’ll be sorry to see him go, but he is being called to take his gifts to other places,’ said Mr Barker.

Mr Lamb said Slough will present its own unique challenges and opportunities. Although Slough is the most religious place in the British Isles, he said Christianity is only the fourth most popular religion.

Father Stuart Tanswell, the rector of the Vale, is leaving Guernsey before the end of the year as well.

Although one vacancy has followed on the heels of another, Mr Barker said he is not worried about the changes.

‘It’s not unusual to see a number of vacancies after a period of stability,’ he said.

‘We’ll go through all applications carefully to make sure we are making the right appointments.’

Mr Barker will lead the process for finding new clergy and take advice from the Bishop of Salisbury.

Then he will make a nomination to the Lt-Governor, who will pass the nomination on to Buckingham Palace for the Queen to give her stamp of approval.