Rev Dr Tim Weatherstone, the new rural affairs advisor to the Bishop of Norwich, first became acquainted with Norfolk agriculture while working at a flour and feed mill in Saxlingham near Norwich. During his time at Duffields Feed and Flour Mill, he developed a deep appreciation for rural Norfolk and the beauty of its natural environment. Tim described Norfolk as a place where the greenness of the land, expansive skies, and quality of the air come together to create something extraordinary in the everyday. His experience at the mill taught him a great deal about Norfolk life and its people, shaping his love for the agricultural landscape.
In his new role as rural affairs advisor, alongside his duties as a rector and rural dean, Tim is responsible for keeping the Bishop of Norwich informed about agricultural and environmental issues. He also works closely with the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Rev Dr Jane Steen, on the church’s ministry to people living in rural parishes. Tim sees it as a privilege to serve as the Bishop’s advisor and aims to be a conduit for understanding and supporting the challenges faced by those who work on the land. He believes that it is essential for the Christian Church to fully grasp the insights and contributions of individuals connected to agriculture and rural life.
The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham Usher, expressed his delight in Tim Weatherstone accepting the role of rural affairs advisor, praising his wealth of experience, wisdom, and pastoral heart. Tim’s deep connections with farmers, farms, and farming communities in Norfolk have been strengthened over the past 13 years as he has served in the Barnham Broom and Upper Yare benefice, overseeing 15 churches and around 3,000 parishioners. Tim and his wife Mary, a pharmacist and church lay reader, reside in Reymerston near Dereham, with their four grown-up children and one grandchild.
Tim’s journey to becoming a rural affairs advisor includes a diverse background that began in the Far East and involved learning multiple languages before settling in the UK. He studied at the University of East Anglia and pursued a career that encompassed roles at the feed mill and in IT at Aviva before transitioning to priesthood. His passion for connecting with rural communities and supporting those who work on the land is evident in his commitment to serving as the Bishop’s advisor and contributing to the church’s ministry in Norfolk’s countryside.
