The Cricketer, the Publican and the Bishop's Wife...

John Rhodes is the publican in the line up, but only because he has been instrumental in setting up a occasional, temporary "pop-up" pub for his home community of Putley.

He will working in the Putley parish, near Ledbury, as a man of the cloth.

Mr Rhodes has a PhD in Chemistry and worked in that field for many year before becoming a self-employed freelance copy-editor, working from home on books in the field of chemistry, a job he will continue alongside his church work.

He said: “When we first moved to the county we were in Hereford and I was very much involved in children's work. I was also involved in Hereford Open Door, a charity that provides breakfast for the homeless and people in substandard accommodation.

“Outside of church I also enjoy baking and am a member of a local poetry group. Along with two friends I run the recently founded 'pop-up-pub' in Putley, ‘The Prancing Pony’.”

Mr Rhodes is married and has two daughters.

The other two people to be ordained on the day will be Louise Magowan, and she and the others will be ordained by her husband, Bishop Allistair.

She said: "I trained as a nurse and midwife but in 2002 I joined the staff of a large church as their pastoral worker, a role I thoroughly enjoyed.”

She has been married to Bishop Alistair for thirty five years and they have three children.

After her ordination, she will serve as a curate in Church Stretton, Shropshire.

The third candidate is a keen sports person who admits that his talent does not match his keenness.

“Geoffrey Boycott once described my batting as the worst he's ever seen,” said Richard Mutter.

He added: “I also follow rugby, especially when England are playing, which might cause some friction with Ashley, my new vicar, who supports Wales.”

Mr Mutter is married with three young sons and one young daughter. He will be serving as a curate in Cleobury Mortimer.

The ordination service will take place at 10am on June 29, in Hereford Cathedral.