A FORMER vicar of St Mary’s Priory, in Old Malton, has died.

The Reverend Dr Quentin Wilson, 69, took on the role in 2010, following the retirement of Canon John Manchester.

He was previously acting rural deal of southern Ryedale, a part-time chaplain to Castle Howard and organist of All Saints Church in Helmsley.

Born in Wiltshire, the Rev Wilson was ordained in his early 20s and one of his first posts in the early 1970s covered the Isle of Dogs, home of the infamous Kray Twins. Later positions took him to Exeter Cathedral, Windsor where he was able to develop his love of music and Lancashire, before he moved to East Heslerton in 2002 with his wife, Anne. After moving to Ryedale, Rev Wilson completed a PhD at York University and researched Charles Howard, the third Earl of Carlisle, and evangelist Richard Conyers who lived in Helmsley.

His role as rural dean covered 46 churches from Hovingham to Sherburn, as well as a part-time role at St Mary’s.

Reverend Peter Robinson, vicar of Malton and Old Malton, said: “Quentin was an accomplished organist and singer. He was also an academic, his studies leading to a Doctorate from York University. He will be remembered by many in Southern Ryedale as an unassuming, sincere and gifted priest.”

Rev Wilson’s funeral will be at St Mary’s Priory on Tuesday, March 3, at noon.