Reading Out Loud
Focused Elements:
You can have these explanations read out loud by clicking on 'Speak Explanation' (access key 'a')
These controls are to provide alternative means of accessing the information on this page. Two main facilities are provided: adjusting the text size and listening to the text on the page.
1) Adjusting Text Size:
You can increase the text size by clicking on 'Larger' (access key '+'), and reduce it by clicking on 'Smaller' (access key '-'). You can reset the size back to its original value by clicking on 'Reset' (access key 'j')
2) Listening to the Text
You can adjust the pitch of the spoken word, the rate or speed of delivery and the volume. You can also choose the voice to use by clicking on the drop-down list. The default voice is whatever is the standard for the computer and browser you are using.
To set your default, please refer to the description in the Accessibility Statement.
There are normally three sections of text on the page that you can listen to: the headings, the main text and a selection. Click on 'Speak Headings to speak the page headings (access key 'l'). Click on 'Speak Main Text' (access key 'q') to listen to the main text.
You can also select an area of text in the page using standard select methods and click on 'Speak Selection' (access key 'w') to read the selection aloud.
You can enable the reading out loud of the element that currently has focus by clicking on 'Start Focus Speaking' (access key 'f') and you can stop this by clicking on 'Stop Focus Speaking' (access key 'd').
You can pause the audio by clicking on 'Pause' (access key 'r') and resume by clicking on 'Resume' (access key 't').
To cancel or stop the audio click on 'Cancel' (access key 'y'). To restart the current audio from the beginning, click on 'Restart' (access key 'k').
To hide the accessibility controls click on 'Hide Panel' (access key 'h')
To hide this explanation click on 'Hide Explanation' (access key 'x')
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Introduction To Our New Priest
There is a new priest resident in the Vicarage in Widecombe-in-the-Moor for the next few months and it will not be easy to miss him in his Akubra hat and Drizabone coat. Fr Graham Sawyer is a citizen of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (or if you want to be pedantic, a British subject). Born and bred in England, he studied Theology at the University of Durham but rejected going on to theological college in favour of being a radio DJ in Paris (this provided him with much-needed and never to be repeated “street credibility”). Later he taught French, Latin and Greek at schools in York and Oxford, before moving into a political career which saw him first as a researcher and speech writer to a Member of the European Parliament and then standing himself for the Westminster Parliament in the 1992 General Election. During this time he set up his own Educational Public Relations and Marketing company and persuaded wealthy private schools to part with cash to improve their image in the community.
After spectacularly failing as a politician Graham turned to broadcasting and joined the BBC World Service as a news reader and presenter having been told that he had the perfect face for radio. He then emigrated to New Zealand where he continued his work with a national radio programme and editorial and journalistic work - all of which landed him a position on the Board of the National Press Club of New Zealand and winning an award for the best comedy radio commercial. He also taught at Wellington College and counts as the next resounding failure his attempt to introduce Aussie Rules football into the New Zealand sporting psyche.
Ordained an Anglican clergyman in Wellington, Graham then later moved to industrial chaplaincy in Sydney working for the ecumenical organisation – The Inter Church Trade and Industry Mission. Hoping to move into the Australian Army as a Padre and thereby managing to be physically fit for the first time in his life (and the last), Graham had a chance meeting with the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams (then Archbishop of Wales) at a seminar in Sydney; Dr Williams offered him a parish in his diocese where Graham also continued workplace chaplaincy and became head chaplain in a tertiary educational institution. Unable to revert to being a Pom (let alone becoming Welsh), Graham went back home to Australia as a parish priest in Perth and Chaplain for the Arts in 2004; however, he soon realised that the bright lights of Western Australia were no way near great enough to satisfy his enduring passion in life for comedy and a sense of the ridiculous. He therefore moved to Melbourne and worked for The Australian Ballet and Trinity College, University of Melbourne on short term contracts before ending up in rural north-eastern Victoria at the tourist town of Beechworth. Graham remained there for two years doubling up as a Child Protection Worker for the Victorian Government.
The Bishop of Plymouth invited Graham to move to Devon last December and he now finds himself in Widecombe-in-the-Moor for up to six months while looking for a permanent and full time role in the Church. You will see him often walking around the village with his two dalmatian dogs or perhaps reluctantly being forced to sample the guest beer each week in The Rugglestone Inn.
Graham counts among his many hobbies, talking about politics and religion and above all else, exercising in self parody.
The information on this page was last modified on March 26 2009 18:39:57.