The Rev Dr James Woodward has been chosen by the Queen and the Church of England to be Canon of Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Dr Woodward was chosen ahead of thousands of potential candidates because of his positive impact on vulnerable people’s lives in ten years as Master of the Foundation of the Lady Katherine Leveson Foundation at Temple Balsall, near Knowle.
Dr Woodward, aged 47, from County Durham, says he is still in shock at being offered the role which will see him in regular contact with the Queen and many of the Royal Family.
“It was and still is a shock to the system,” he said. “The first I knew about it was a letter from 10 Downing Street asking me to explore the possibility. I had some informal meetings, a formal interview and was offered the job. It’s clearly a privilege to be asked to do it and one I hope I can respond to.”
As part of the post – which he takes up on April 23 – Dr Woodward will be responsible for leading three services a day, sustaining a healthy worship, chairing theological courses and seminars and organising lavish religious and State functions.
Before moving to Temple Balsall, Dr Woodward was chaplain manager at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Trust in Edgbaston and priest in charge of the Middleton and Wishaw parish in Warwickshire.
Temple Balsall houses a church, a primary school, a residential care home and the Leveson Centre for theological study. He said: “Temple Balsall has been an enormous part of my life. I have had the privilege of leading this community and enabling change and growth in all aspects of its life. There will always be a special place for our work and the people here in my memory and heart.”
The Earl of Aylesford, chairman of Foundation Governors, said: “While we are, of course, very sorry James is leaving us, we are very excited for him.”
