Richard Court was born in Birmingham in 1954 and educated at The University of East Anglia. For 34 years, until September 2004, Richard worked for BT, latterly as Head of Test and Assurance. Whilst in full-time secular employment, he was a non-stipendiary priest. He trained for ordination at the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course; he was also awarded a degree in Theology from the University of Wales, Bangor. Richard was licensed as a Reader in 1993, ordained deacon in 1997 and priest in 1998 and served in Framlingham and Saxtead in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury for the five years prior to moving to Badsey.
Richard’s move to the United Benefice of Badsey with Aldington, Offenham and Bretforton in February 2005 was his first post as a full-time stipendiary priest.
Richard is married to Avril and they have two grown-up daughters, Elaine and Vicki.
Richard retired from full-time Ministry in 2015, his last Sunday service taking place on 26th April. He and Avril moved back to Suffolk where they had spent 18 years before moving to the Vale.