KNOWN as the ‘Parachuting Priest’, the Reverend Jerry Sutton from St. Margaret’s and St Mark’s Church Dunham Massey, is holding a rededication service to mark 30 years in the Ministry,

Since 1990, the Altrincham vicar has also been a Royal Army chaplain and is now a Lieutenant Colonel. He is responsible for the recruitment, training and deployment of all reserve chaplains.

His nickname comes from his involvement with the Airborne Division of the parachute regiment with whom he regularly jumps out of aeroplanes.

He served in Bosnia twice during the 1990s and, sadly, buried young men in Afghanistan. He has joined troops all over the world.

“You won’t find a Humanist in the army because young soldiers regularly confront death,” he said.

While training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, the bishop instructed him to stay for two weeks in Hollesley Bay prison.

“I was terrified. I was locked in a cell for 23 hours a day and wretched at the smell of the food."

As intended, it successfully offset his privileged position as a former pupil of Westminster School.

After curacies in Seacombe and Northwich, Mr Sutton became vicar of Birkenhead Priory where, at a cost of £1 million, three churches became one, St Annes.

The Queen opened the church, in one of the most deprived areas in Britain despite protests by anti-monarchists outside.

Then followed seven years at St Chad’s, Winsford. He became vicar of St Margaret’s and St Mark’s, Dunham Massey in 2001.

“I have loved being a parish priest and Army Chaplain.”

The speaker at the service on June 29 at St Margaret’s Church, Altrincham, will be the Deputy Chaplain General, The Reverend Canon Peter Eagles. All welcome.