Goodbye Curate
Fred Secombe
Harper Collins
ISBN 97800006276852
Also in
Chronicles of a Curate
ISBN 9780006280532
This third book in the Chronicles of the Curate series is even funnier than the first two, in part because of all Fred has been through, you 
would expect better results. Yet it seems that anything that can go wrong does for Fred and his fiancée Eleanor. Life should be settling down into a pattern in the parish but with weddings, funerals and Christmas, who can imagine the events that will befall poor Fred. Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is worth picking up, either as the single volume or as the 3-in-one collection along with How Green Was My Curate and A Curate for All Seasons.
Hello, Vicar!
Fred Secombe
Fount an imprint of
Harper Collins
ISBN 9780006278535
Also in
Chronicles of a Vicar
ISBN 9780006281351
Fred and Eleanor have been married three months. Fred is the newly-appointed Vicar 
of Pontywen. Fred believes that becoming the Vicar, will make life a little easier. That is not the case. The follies and foibles of Fred's term as a Curate continue and now he must manage his own Curates. Eleanor becomes known as The Vicar's wife and Fred as the Doctor's husband. And Life in Pontywen is as humourous as ever. This is a hilarious book and is worth picking up, either as the single volume or as the 3-in-one collection along with A Comedy of Clerical Errors and The Crowning Glory.
A Curate For All Seasons
Fred Secombe
Fount on imprint of
Harper Collins
ISBN 97800006276845
Also in
Chronicles of a Curate
ISBN 9780006280532
This second book in the Chronicles of the Curate series is just as funny as the first. As Fred settles into his role and responsibility as a Curate he seems to make fewer mistakes, and has fewer faux pas and yet life in the ministry remains just as humorous. Now engaged to Eleanor Davies, a young Doctor, this young clergy has a very different life from the single curate that arrived in town. He founds his first Gilbert and Sullivan Society in the church, even while managing the affairs of the parish, with a quirky, twitchy assistant curate and a boring lay preacher. Life in Pontywen is never easy or simple, and Fred's life and adventures in the ministry make for good clean fun. Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is worth picking up, either as the single volume or as the 3-in-one collection along with How Green Was My Curate and Goodbye Curate.
How Green Was My Curate
Fred Secombe
Fount on imprint of
Harper Collins
ISBN 9780006276838
Also in
Chronicles of a Curate
ISBN 9780006280532
I picked up this book at an Anglican Church Room because the cover reminded me of Adrian Plass book covers. The humor is very different and the experiences seem to be a little more realistic if somewhat embellished. I am very glad I did pick it up and I am sure you will be also. This book is based loosely on personal experience, but told with a true story teller's flare. Fred Secombe embellishes upon his life as clergy in the Church of Wales in this story and his many others about life in ministry and in and around parish life. This is the story of his first posting shortly after WWII, set in the Welsh Valleys and in the town of Pontywen, a village filled with unforgettable characters and personalities. One of the funniest stories is that he gets stuck to the bottom of a freshly painted tub, and the female Doctor who treats him eventually becomes his wife. The book is written with a humorous bent yet the stories will also touch your heat. The vulnerability of a pastor sharing his struggle and follies is heartwarming. Laugh-out-loud funny. this book is worth picking up, either as the single volume or as the 3 in one collection along with A Curate for All Seasons and Goodbye Curate.
Fred Secombe:
About a decade ago I was introduced to two UK authors whose main weapon was looking at life, and life in the church through humorous eyes. They were Adrian Plass and Fred Secombe. I instantly fell in love with their humour and writings. I have read about a third of Plass' books and almost all of Sacombe's. Over the next few months I plan on re-reading some of my favourites from each but thought I would post an author profile first.
Fred Secombe, ordained as Rev. Frederick Thomas Secombe, was born 31st of December 1918 in Swansea, Wales, UK. He is the older brother of Sir Harry Donald Secombe. Fred was ordained first as a deacon and then later as a priest in The Church in Wales. He first served as an assistant curate in South Wales, later as a Vicar. Then he moved to Hanwell, as a Rector in West London. He was later appointed Prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, London. He is the author of several humorous books based on his experiences as a newly ordained priest in South Wales. These books follow his progress in the ministry and in life. They are set immediately following The Second World War. They will make you laugh out loud.
Books by Fred Secombe:
How Green was my Curate
A Curate for all Seasons
Goodbye Curate
Hello Vicar!
A Comedy of Clerical Errors
The Crowning Glory
Pastures New
The Changing Scenes of Life
Mr. Rural Dean
Two Vandals and a Wedding
Goodbye Curate 
would expect better results. Yet it seems that anything that can go wrong does for Fred and his fiancée Eleanor. Life should be settling down into a pattern in the parish but with weddings, funerals and Christmas, who can imagine the events that will befall poor Fred. Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is worth picking up, either as the single volume or as the 3-in-one collection along with How Green Was My Curate and A Curate for All Seasons.
