Revd Tom Stuckey and Mr John Bell elected as President and Vice-President Designates for Methodist Conference 2005-6

Revd Thomas J Stuckey, Chair of the Southampton District, hasbeen elected to serve as the President of the Conference from June2005. He will serve alongside Mr John A Bell, a retired businessexecutive from the Chester and Stoke District, who was votedVice President Designate.

Mr Stuckey was educated at Yeovil Grammar School and City,London and Edinburgh Universities. On being elected, he said: "Thisis a great privilege, but I also feel slightly out of my depth, soI will be looking for a great deal of support and help from others.This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about God when the Churchis at a time of change."

Mr Bell was educated at Grammar Schools in Sunderland andNewcastle, but chose the latter for his football team, describinghimself as a United supporter "through thick and thin". He has aspecial interest in the role of faith in the workplace and, onhearing news of his election, commented: "Who? Me?"