From the Revd Julian Hollywell
Sir, - May I just clarify that I am not the rural dean called
Julian quoted in your report "Study reveals personal cost of life
in the priesthood" (News,
3 May) as wanting to tell callers at the vicarage on my day off
to "Sod off, then." Very far from it.
Although this appears in character, those who know me well will
appreciate that the only occasion when I have ever been caught
"working on my car on the driveway" was when phoned and asked, at
short notice, to give the Bishop a lift.
In my resulting stroke-inducing panic, while attempting to clean
the vehicle, a kindly parishioner did turn up, and took pity on me
by just giving me their car, which was in a suitable condition for
such an honour. A good example of collaborative ministry, I
feel.
JULIAN HOLLYWELL
Rural Dean of Derby North
The Vicarage, Gascoigne Drive
Spondon, Derby DE21 7GL
[The name given in the research that was reported may not be the
rural dean's real name; so we would plead with other rural deans
called Julian not to feel it necessary to send in their
disclaimers, too. Editor]