Meet the Team

We are delighted to have been joined in the Market Drayton Methodist Circuit by Rev. Rob & Carol Cotton as our Minister and Lay Pastor, here at Ashley and at MDMC.

Rob was born on a farm in Staffordshire, he has been a life-long supporter of Stoke City, plus Notts County in recent years (since living in Nottingham for 16 years).  He also enjoys walking, swimming, films, music and gardening.

In 2024, Rob retired as Methodist Minister in Sandal, Wakefield.  Rob and his wife Carol took a very enjoyable ‘gap-year’ touring the UK in their beloved motorhome Freda, alongside caring for their Grandchildren, before coming to Market Drayton.

Rob was formerly Superintendent Minister of Alderley Edge and Knutsford, at KMC (Knutsford Methodist Church) and Plumley.  He served as Bible Society’s Senior Campaigns Manager leading city wide Campaigns in Bristol and Greater Manchester, then helped to develop nationwide campaigns such as Hope 08 and Biblefresh. Other previous appointments were in Arnold, Nottingham and Preston.

Carol was born in Alton, Staffordshire (of Alton Towers fame). After turbulent teenage years, Carol caught up with education later in life by, among other things, completing her MA last year. She has worked at Alton Towers, latterly as the resident bingo caller, also in a grocery shop, a restaurant, has been a personal carer, worked for Age UK managing a service to give carers respite. She has had three previous roles as a Lay Worker in Nottingham, Knutsford and Barnsley, all had a community focus alongside pastoral care.

Carol enjoys walking, theatre, cinema, gardening, cooking, baking and knitting. She loves being a Grandma and a mum too, and would describe herself first and foremost as this and a homemaker.

Rob and Carol have three children, Sarah, Steven and Timothy, plus seven Grandchildren.

They look forward to meeting you and if you do have any questions or want to know more about Jesus and the amazing churches here, do get in touch.