Alison McTaggart

Retired Local Licenced Minister (Retired Reader)

Alison is Australian born, who came to this country to train as a nurse and midwife. She has lived in Repps for 32 years, having moved to Norfolk as a nurse teacher, primarily in continuing education, with management and interpersonal skills.

Alison is an active person: not only does she do woodcarving and run a boat, sailing on the Broads enjoying the history and wildlife, she has been a Church Warden at St Peter’s for 30 years, and was the Chairman of Repps Parish Council for 17 years. Alison remarks, “When I moved to Repps, I became involved with both St Peter’s and the village, where I feel I have been able to serve in the community. I do feel closest to God when I am sailing at sea, and the enormity of the sea and the smallness of my boat is evident.” Alison time as a Church Warden included the periods between Rectors. During this time Alison was asked to lead services and it was doing this that made her realise that she was also called to be a reader. She was licensed in Norwich Cathedral in 2000.

Alison’s first memories of ‘Church’ was in the living room on her family’s sheep station with the fully robed Bishop of Willochra on one of his numerous pilgrimages to his scattered flock. She later became involved with the youth club at her local church in Adelaide. Alison’s Christian faith became increasingly important when she arrived in Britain in the early 70’s when she was away from the security of friends and family in Australia.