Meet The Team

At St Mary's, we have a dedicated and welcoming team

Rev'd Steve Benoy, Team Rector

Steve joined St Mary's and St Peter's in November 2025, having moved from Peterborough where he had served for over 20 years. He oversees all aspects of the worship, pastoral care, and missional life of the church and represents the church in the community. His rest day is usually Thursday, he can be contacted at rector@stmarysrisborough.org.uk

Lesley Tate, Children and Families Minster

Lesley joined St Mary’s as Children and Families Minister in January 2026. She and her husband Jim recently retired from ministry in London. Lesley oversees the different areas of ministry to children and families and builds links with local schools and community organisations. She is part-time with her usual working days being Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact her at childrenandfamilies@stmarysrisborough.org.uk.

Heather returned to Buckinghamshire in December 2013, after sixteen years in, where she was a member of St. John’s Church, Fareham. She joined St Mary’s, and became part of the baptism team, the Nursery service and Social committee. In 2022 she was elected as a church warden. Her email address is: parishoffice@stmarysrisborough.org.uk

Heather Hardy, Church Warden

Neil Dyson, Church Warden

Neil is a local dairy farmer and Primary School teacher and has been attending St Mary's for over 20 years. He has served in many capacities, most recently as worship leader, Youth Group Leader and Churchwarden. Neil can be contacted at: parishoffice@stmarysrisborough.org.uk.

Tony has been a Christian since his school days. For much of the time he has been involved in children’s and young people’s ministry, and he became a Licensed Lay Minister in 2012 while living in Spain.

He is also the Parish Safeguarding Officer, building on a career in education and social care.

His partner is Jan and his other interests, when he has time for them, rugby and motorcycling.

He can be contacted on tony.eccleston@btinternet.com

Tony Eccleston, LLM, Parish Safeguarding Officer

Kathryn Trout, Parish Secretary

Kathryn joined St Mary's as Parish Secretary in 2012 and was appointed PCC Secretary in 2025. She oversees all aspects of church administration including PA support for the Rector, parish organisation, communications & website, events and building hire and liaising with church partners in the community.

She is available in the office between the core hours of 11am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.

She can be contacted at parishoffice@stmarysrisborough.org.uk

Jenny joined the Staff team in 2015 as an administration assistant. She helps the parish secretary with various administration tasks and in particular deals with life events such as weddings and baptisms, fees and weekly communications. She also assists the parish safeguarding officer with safeguarding administration. She works in the Office on Wednesday afternoon between 1.30pm and 5pm and on Thursday from 9.30am until 5pm. She can be contacted at parishoffice@stmarysprincesrisborough.org.uk