A NEW vicar at an Oxford city centre church is keen to help combat the problem of rough sleeping in Oxford.

The Rev Anthony Buckley will join the team at St Michael at the North Gate in Cornmarket in January, in a role that will see him take on a lively ministry in the city centre.

As City Rector he will also work closely with Oxford City Council, attending meetings and civic occasions.

One of his priorities when he arrives will be helping to oversee the church’s contribution to Oxford Winter Night Shelter scheme.

Last year seven city churches provided overnight accommodation for 10 rough sleepers a night and this year each church every night will try to accommodate 20 homeless people per night.

Chaplain to the homeless, Rev Mary Gurr, who is also associate priest at St Michael at the North Gate, said: “Anthony is very keen to be involved with what is happening with the winter night shelter - he is very energised by the idea that the church is showing its support in this way.

“What happened last year helped the homeless and it also strengthened our church community - congregations felt they were getting involved and actually doing something.”

More than 200 volunteers from across Oxford helped to keep the scheme running and this year additional venues could also take part, although these venues have not yet been finalised.

Rev Buckley, who replaces the Very Rev Bob Wilkes, grew up in Ealing and went to Keble College before becoming a teacher in Hereford.

A career change saw him return to Oxford to train for ordination at Wycliffe Hall before becoming a curate and then a vicar in Folkestone, Kent.

In 2008 Rev Buckley became the full-time chaplain at Allyen’s School in Dulwich, South London, where he is also the honorary curate at St Barnabas’ Church.

He said: “I have a heart for Oxford as a city that has played an important part in my life on two previous occasions and I love the fact that St Michael’s is right in the centre of things, seeking to play its part in the welcome to visitors, and in the supporting of people working in the surrounding shops and colleges.

“I very much enjoyed meeting the St Michael’s congregation and I’m looking forward to becoming part of the community there.”

The vicar is married to Monica, who he met when he was first studying in Oxford. They have two children in their 20s; one is a teacher and one a doctor.

Rev Buckley enjoys writing, gardening and walking.

He is also a keen enthusiast of fantasy author CS Lewis and king of rock and roll Elvis Presley.

The vicar will be installed at St Michael’s by the Bishop of Oxford Rt Rev Steven Croft in a ceremony on January 9.

Those interested in staffing the church winter night shelter as volunteers can attend a number of training sessions.

The new project manager is Graham Doel and he is busy working on a new rota system and contacting volunteers.

Existing and new new volunteers can attend at the church on Tuesday,, from 7pm to 9pm and on Monday, October 19, from 7pm to 9pm.

To get involved or find out more visit www.ownsoxford.org.uk