Fisher of Men

Born on 22 September 1950 at Gillingham in Kent, Pam Rhodes joined Thames TV as a programme secretary on Eamonn Andrews’ ‘Today’ before becoming programme organiser for the ITV documentary series ‘This Week’. Moving in front of the cameras for the first time, Pam began her career in news journalism as anchor woman for Anglia Television’s local daily news programme appearing every evening for seven years. A comfortable and reliable presence on screen, Pam also presented the holiday and travel programmes that were growing in popularity with the advent of affordable air travel. Pam has also hosted, her own daily interview series for Lifestyle Television, and presented faith based broadcasts for Radio 2 and Premier Christian Radio.

In 1987, Pam began her long and much loved association with the BBC’s flagship religious music programme, ‘Songs of Praise’. In her 25 year involvement, Pam has personally hosted more than 2000 editions. Remembering the many highlights of the 50 year, long running series Pam recalls visits overseas to present programmes from the Sydney Opera House, the Vatican basilicas, Zimbabwe, Vienna, Nashville, Hong Kong and Brazil. She also looks back with fondness on her interviews with fascinating people including Pope John Paul, Dolly Parton, Sir Cliff Richard and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Perhaps her most influential memories are not of the great and good, but the many ordinary people who told the worldwide ‘Songs of Praise’ audience personal stories of extraordinary grief, endurance, honesty and courage.

Pam is married to Richard Crow and lives with the family on their two-acre small holding in Bedfordshire. From here the couple manage the Biggleswade Cat Lodge which takes in cats while their owners are on holiday, and acts as an RSPCA boarding haven for animals waiting for new homes. Unknown by many, Pam also enjoys dancing and is often involved in ballroom, line or tap dancing - or at modern jive evenings. It’s through her love of dancing that she came to meet her husband Richard. A professional speaker, Pam is often asked to chair conferences or discussion groups and speak on specialist subjects ranging from the impact of bereavement to the welfare of Army personnel, their wives and children at The Army Families Federation Conference.

With at least four speaking engagements a month, and audiences numbering from a handful to several thousand, Pam is an accessible speaker for groups meeting under the banner of The Women's Institute, University of the Third Age, Rotary, Lion, Luncheon Clubs and fund-raising events. Pam also comperes concerts and presents events on behalf of charities in which she has an official role, such as patron – as with Keech Cottage Children's Hospice, Livability, MHA Group providing housing for the elderly, Christian Aid and The British Legion. She is also Vice-President of the Church Army, and an Honorary Member of the Royal School of Church Music. She holds an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Bedford for her contribution to news journalism and charity work.

Part one of Pam Rhodes' heart-warming comedy of good manners set in an English country town.

The Revd Neil Fisher arrives in St Stephen's Dunbridge, to take up his first curacy under the formidable Rev Margaret Prowse. Shy, gauche, earnest, kind and determined, he learns the ropes as he meets the many colourful characters who form the congregation. After a family tragedy rocks his boss, Neil finds himself in the deep end.

This is a charming mix of stories, comical and moving by turns, around a central core of familiar characters, situations and storylines. One such storyline will be the on/off romance between Neil and Ros, the spiky single mum who looks after the vicarage garden. Another will be the determination of Wendy, leader of the church music group, to bag a vicar for her husband. A third will be the apparently unbalanced partnership between Margaret Prowse and her underdog husband, Frank. The book combines social comedy with spiritual resonance and depth.

For many years Pam Rhodes has presented the world's number one religious programme, Songs of Praise. She writes for the Daily Mail' Femail section, and is also a successful novelist, author of 'With Hearts' and 'Hands and Voices' and four other novels, as well as other titles.