Fr Michael Gill SSC read Classics at King's College in the University of London before training for the priesthood at St Michael's College, Llandaff. Following ordination in the diocese of Monmouth he served as Minor Canon of St Woolos Cathedral in Newport; this later included the post of chaplain of St Woolos Hospital. From there he went on to become Succentor and Dean's Vicar of Hereford Cathedral before returning to Wales as a Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Ebbw Vale. From Ebbw Vale he moved to the Rhondda to be Vicar of the two parishes of St Andrew's Tonypandy and St Thomas's Clydach Vale.

He is a member of the Society of the Holy Cross (Societas Sanctae Crucis) in which he served as Local Vicar of his Chapter for eight years, a Priest Associate of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, a member of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the Society of Mary. He also serves on London Diocesan Synod.

He is a pianist and organist. Since coming to Cranford he has played for various local music groups and is the accompanist for the "Soprano Soprano" recital series given in Richmond by Janet Oates and Rosalind O'Dowd and visiting instrumentalists. These have included several premiers of works by contemporary composers. He has played for the Richard Strauss Society and has given the British premier of some youthful piano pieces by Strauss at one of their functions.

He was one of the organists who took part in the organ recital at the Royal Albert Hall during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Society of the Holy Cross.

As well as playing classical organs he loves playing cinema organs. He has played a few of these in the London area including the Odeon Leicester Square, the Granada Walthamstow, the Granada Harrow and the Kew Bridge Music Museum Wurlitzer. Most recently he has played Europe's largest Wurlitzer (originally in the Trocadero Elephant and Castle) in the splendid art deco surroundings of the Troxy, Stepney.

Like so many other priests and organists, he is an ardent railway enthusiast.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Mr Howard Mason

Mrs Thandi Lopes