Ryk Parkinson, a Leverington man, the Senior Padre for Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force, retires from the Cadet Force after 12 years of service on 1st July. The Senior Padre manages two other Padres and has responsibility for the spiritual and welfare needs of over 700 teenage army cadets, as well as 170 adult leaders spread across the County of Cambridgeshire.
Ryk’s “day job” is that of the priest in charge of three parishes, covering Wisbech St Mary and Guyhirn, Parson Drove and Gorefield. A very busy man who still found time to support the youth of Cambridgeshire in Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force.
Being in uniform is second nature for Ryk, as he joined Manchester University Officer Training Corps in 1969 and subsequently served 6 years in the reserves before joining the Regular Army in 1975. Concluding his regular service in the Royal Engineers with the rank of Major, Ryk then became a lecturer in civil engineering at The College of West Anglia, Kings Lynn. A proud achievement to wear Her Majesty’s uniform for some 30 years.
Ordained into the Church of England in June 2007, he was appointed Curate for three fenland parishes near Wisbech. In 2008 Ryk joined Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force and was commissioned in the Royal Army Chaplains Corp Department in 2009.
Col. Mark Knight MBE DL , Commandant said ”Ryk was always very popular with the Cadets as he always had a bag of jelly babies to share with them. His military service was a great asset in carrying out his duties both as Padre and member of the County Command Group. Our best wishes go with him in retirement from the Cadet Force”
Padre Mark Amey, Vicar of St Ives, will step into the Senior Padre role with effect from 1st July 2020.
Text by Colonel Mark Knight MBE DL
