Richard Hopkins has been Rector of Sileby, Cossington and Seagrave since 2006.  He is married to Rosie and they have two sons and two Labrador dogs.  He loves playing football, watching cricket and is an over-competitive board game player!  Richard has overall responsibility for the leadership of the church and its activities.

Leonie Dryden has moved to Sileby from the frozen North (having been born and bred in Dundee) to co‑ordinate schools and children's work across the Benefice.

You'll find her listening to Radio4 (especially the Archers whilst cooking and pottering in the kitchen) or drinking tea.  Otherwise she may be found reading, walking, training and clipping (straight back and sides only) Dickens the poodle and doing crafty things - of the fabric and scissors type.

Dave Oakley is our Ministry Assistant.  His role chiefly involves responsibility for running the Impact and Y youth groups, although he is also involved in much of the work amongst younger children.  He was born and lived in Derbyshire before studying politics at Nottingham University and then moving to Sileby in September 2010.  He enjoys sports, especially cricket and rugby, and watching Newsnight.

John Backhouse is a retired Church of England minister who moved to Sileby with his wife, Mary, in 1994.  Converted to Christ in his teens, he was ordained in 1953 and has served in the dioceses of Liverpool, Lincoln, Leicester and Lahore, mainly in parish work.  John has a passion for history, especially the story of the growth of the Christian church.  .He says "I am glad to be a part of this church family and to take services from time to time.

John Dean is a Reader in the Benefice.  After Army National Service in Nigeria and a short time of teaching Agriculture at a Mission Secondary School, he had three roles and 39 years with Scripture Union (SU).  He had 10 years as a Schools' Travelling Secretary in Nigeria and 15 years travelling Africa-wide as Coordinator of SU work in that continent, living in Africa from 1955 to 1983.  He then had 14 years as SU International Training Consultant travelling worldwide from Seagrave.  Involvement in God's Church worldwide is a continuing challenge.  John is married to Jan.  His hobbies are jogging, cycling, vegetable-growing and poultry-keeping.

Heather Sewell is also a Reader.  After completing a music degree at Huddersfield and a PGCE at Bretton Hall she took up her first teaching post in Birstall.  Heather is currently Head at Cossington C of E Primary School.  She plays 'cello regularly with the Bardi and Heart of England orchestras.  She also owns a 16:2 chestnut gelding and hopes that they don't part company for many years to come!

John Harrison was licensed as a Reader in the Benefice in 2009, having previously been a Methodist Local Preacher for 20 years.  He has been involved in outreach missions throughout the UK and helped to run many Alpha courses in the Derby area.  John is married to Geraldine and between them they have 5 children and 5 grandchildren.  Hobbies include watching football, collecting music and film from the 1950’s and 1960’s and occasionally playing golf.