Vicar of Taunton Minster
The Minster is now in Vacancy, if you would like to contact for any reason please email the Minster Office [email protected]
Our Vacancy Prayer
Contact: [email protected]
The Reverend Louise Bale
Associate Vicar
I became Assistant Curate in the benefice at the end of September 2020, when I was ordained Deacon. On 23 June 2024 I became Associate Vicar.
I trained for ordination at Sarum College, Salisbury, on a three-year course combined with working part-time as a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Somerset. Prior to coming to Somerset, I worked in Bristol (my home city) in the City Council’s education department – recruiting, training and supporting volunteer school governors for over 12 years. And before having a family I worked for many years in product development in the fine wine and alcoholic drinks industry.
I am married to Simon (also a Rev); we have two sons and one granddaughter.
Contact: [email protected]
The Reverend Gwen Smith
Associate Priest
I have enjoyed 27 years in ministry, which started in the Diocese of Rochester, we then moved to the Diocese of Exeter, before arriving in Somerset, the Diocese of Bath & Wells, in 2017.
During this time, I have had the privilege of being a Training Incumbent, to several Curates, a Rural Dean (as it was known back in the day!), whilst enjoying every aspect of Parish Ministry, both in town and rural settings.
I am married to Pete; we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. We both enjoy sharing our time with family and friends, travel, and the odd glass of wine!
Contact [email protected]
The Reverend Dr Caryl Plewes
Curate
Caryl joined the Minster as Curate in June 2025 following her ordination as Deacon having completed her Masters in Theology, Ministry and Mission at Sarum College in Salisbury. In June 2026, she was ordained Priest in Taunton Minster. Before ordination she had a varied career including academic research, NHS project management, parish administration, supporting troubled families and school governance. She has played an active part in the life of all the churches she has belonged to, most recently in St James and St Peter’s churches in the parish of Preston Plucknett, Yeovil. In the 21 years she and her family worshipped there she led a small fellowship group, was part of the music worship group, a Lay Worship Assistant and then a Reader, as well as serving on the PCC twice. She is married with two grown-up daughters
Contact: [email protected]
Margaret Laver
Minster Administrator
Margaret can be found in the Benefice Office Tuesday to Friday each week, usually between 9am and 1pm. She oversees the Minster’s administration and as a long time member of the church is a fount of knowledge and long experience.
Contact: [email protected]
Telephone: 01823 213388 (Option 1)
Valerie Gaskell
Churchwarden
Churchwardens are officers of the Bishop, chief representatives of the congregation and volunteers working closely with our Vicar to enable us to deliver on our ministry and mission.
Their responsibilities include various aspects of administration, operations and personnel.
Contact: Valerie.
Murray Cochrane
Churchwarden
In April 2026, I was elected as a church warden at Taunton Minster.
I like the idea of a church warden’s role being to promote peace and unity. We also represent local people, work with the clergy and look after church property. At Taunton Minster, we are so reliant on volunteers (and I’m one of them), which means that we support volunteering in all its forms.
I grew up around many different sorts of churches, with parents who worked for The Leprosy Mission in India, attending school in South India, then living in various places around the UK, ending up at Taunton Minster – drawn by the wonderful music….
I retired a few years ago, after working on various programmes for the NHS for much of my career. Part of that involved planning new developments. In a way, that’s what I’ve been working on at Taunton Minster – helping us to get to ‘net zero’ carbon as part of the Taunton Minster Heating and Environmental Action Taskforce (HEAT). And my main contribution as a church warden will be to continue our work on caring for God’s creation.
I’ve quickly learned that God’s mission at Taunton Minster is a big team effort. I’ll certainly rely on the advice and support of many others at church. So, if you’ve got some tips for me, please catch me at church!
Contact: [email protected]
Miles Quick, ARSCM
Director of Music
I have been Director of Music at Taunton Minster since 2011.
I was born in Taunton and studied music at Durham University and the Royal Academy of Music. I then worked in London at Merchant Taylors’ School and Westminster Abbey, and then for sixteen years in Norfolk at Norwich School. Returning to my Somerset roots, I was Director of Music at Queen’s College, Taunton from 2007 to 2014. Following this, I became Head of Congregational and Instrumental Music at the Royal School of Church Music. In this role I ran workshops and events all over the UK and further afield for six years, and now continue as an RSCM tutor and consultant.
Contact: [email protected]
