Tim Hastie-Smith appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire

The Revd Tim Hastie-Smith has been appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of the Gloucestershire Lieutenancy.

He is one of the four new DL’s announced last month who support the Lord Lieutenant, who represents the monarch in Gloucestershire. A large part of this involves honouring, supporting and connecting volunteers across the county.

Tim said: “As a representative of the monarch, my role is about recognising and encouraging the huge number of people who are doing extraordinary work, across the county, work that is vital, yet so often fulfilled very humbly below the radar.

“Over my 25 years at the diocese, I have had the joy of meeting many of those involved in such work. Their selfless attitude is engrained within them, forming a part of who they are, and is an inspiration. I am thrilled with this new role because I gives me the opportunity to spend more time with so many amazing people, and to thank them for all that they are doing, and to remind them that what they are doing is so precious and important. As Bishop Rachel so often reminds us, such labour is building God’s Kingdom, and my new role honours and encourages such partnership”

Tim will continue his duties as Vicar of Bibury with Winson and Barnsley in the South Cotswolds, and as Diocesan Missioner, serving as a member of the Bishop of Gloucester’s staff team. He will also carry on as chair of the LIFE Implementation Group, which collaborates with charities and churches across Gloucestershire. His Deputy Lieutenant role gives the opportunity to connect charities and volunteers with the LIFE group and the church, where appropriate.

Early engagements in his new role include attending a citizenship ceremony at Shire Hall, where new UK citizens are welcomed, attending the AGM of Scouts Gloucestershire, and a briefing on local policing by Avon and Somerset police.

He said: “I am very grateful to Bishop Rachel and the Lord Lieutenant Edward Gillespie for their support in this new role. Edward has done incredible work across the county, building on the work of his predecessors Dame Janet Trotter and Sir Henry Elwes, both of whom were also good friends of the diocese.”

This appointment continues the tradition of clergy serving in this role, previous clerical DLs include the Revd Canon Paul Williams, and the Revd Canon Michael Irving.