Simon Beveridge

Simon Alexander Ronald Beveridge (born 1961) is Roman Catholic priest. He was formerly an Anglican clergyman and Royal Navy chaplain. He was one of the handful of Commando trained chaplains. He has also competed in amateur horse racing, thus earning the nickname "The Galloping Padre".

The Reverend

Simon Beveridge
Born1961 (age 61–62)
Alma materUniversity of Nottingham
Chichester Theological College
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
Church of England (former)
Ordained1987 (Anglican deacon)
1988 (Anglican priest)
2017 (Catholic deacon & priest)
Military career
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Royal Marines
Years of service1993–2015
RankChaplain
UnitRoyal Navy Chaplaincy Service

Early life and education

Beveridge was born in 1961. He studied at the University of Nottingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1984. From 1984 to 1987, he trained for Holy Orders at Chichester Theological College, an Anglo-Catholic theological college.[1]

Ordained ministry

Church of England

Beveridge was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1987 and as a priest in 1988.[1] He was the vicar of Down St Mary.[2]

In 1993, he joined the Royal Navy as a chaplain, and passed his commando course in the same year. He subsequently served with 42 Commando Royal Marines[3] and served on operations in Sierra Leone.[4][5]

Beveridge is also known as the "Galloping Padre" since he learned to ride (at Mr Frost's Yard at Buckfastleigh) whilst serving with the Royal Marines at CTCRM Lympstone in 2004. While serving in HMS Bulwark in 2005 he took the Amateur National Hunt Jockey's course at the British Racing School in Newmarket and gained his Category 'A' racing licence.[6] In December 2007 he became the first priest to win a point-to-point with a 50–1 victory at Wadebridge.[7] In 2008, aged 46, and whilst chaplain at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, he represented the Navy at the Grand Military Cup and became the first Navy chaplain to ride at Sandown, though he unfortunately fell on the last circuit after being intercepted by a riderless horse.[5]

He was an early advocate of the Royal Navy/Royal Marines Trauma Risk Management project (TRIM) and used the technique when, as chaplain to Commando Helicopter Force, a helicopter crashed on the flight deck of RFA Argus, injuring three men, one very gravely.[8]

Beveridge's final posting was as chaplaincy team leader at HM Naval Base Clyde.[9] He retired from the Royal Navy on 12 March 2016.[10]

Roman Catholic Church

After leaving the Royal Navy, Beveridge undertook the Academic Programme of Formation for Catholic Priesthood in London from September 2016.[11] On 17 June 2017, he was ordained as a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church by Robert Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop for Birmingham. Beveridge serves the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in Scotland.[12] He was ordained to the priesthood by William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway, on 14 December 2017.[13]

Personal life

Beveridge and his wife Sarah have two children and lived in Devon before moving to Wigtownshire, in Galloway, Scotland.[5]

References
  1. "Simon Alexander Ronald Beveridge". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  2. The Guild of Devonshire Ringers Archived 3 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Cost of Conscience
  4. "Sea Changes Ahead in Naval Chaplaincy Service". Navy News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2003.
  5. "Praise ye the Lord, 'tis good to race". thisisbristol.co.uk. 25 July 2008.
  6. "'Galloping Padre' makes history at Sandown". Ministry of Defence. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2008.
  7. "Vicar makes history at Wadebridge". The Daily Telegraph. 18 December 2007.
  8. "A fresh approach to combat stress". Church Times. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  9. "No. 61565". The London Gazette. 26 April 2016. p. 9724.
  10. "Ordinariate Scotland Clergy: Father Simon Beveridge". www.ordinariate.scot. The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in Scotland. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  11. "News: Summer 2017 Issue" (PDF). Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in Scotland. June 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  12. "Ordinations in Scotland (note change of venue)". The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017. Deacon Simon Beveridge will be Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by The Right Rev William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway, in the presence of Mgr Keith Newton, Ordinary, on Thursday 14th December at 2pm in St Martin's and St Ninian's, George Street, Whithorn DG8 8PZ.
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