A RETIRED priest, the Rev Chris Dobb, is appealing for reminiscences as he prepares a biography of the former Archdeacon of Malmesbury, the Ven Freddy Temple.

The Archdeacon died last year at the age of 84. He lived in Wootton Bassett and was the Archdeacon of Malmesbury between 1973 and 1983.

Mr Dobb, 55, of Kingsbury Hall, Calne, is a former priest who served in the Diocese of Bristol and knew the Archdeacon over a number of years. He hopes that a biography could be published in two years' time.

Mr Dobb said: "I want to hear from anyone who has reminiscences or memories of him.

"He was a very popular man and there must have been plenty of people out there who met him and have some vivid memories to share."

The Archdeacon was born in India in 1916 and went to Oxford University. A pacifist, he joined the Friends Ambulance Unit during the Second World War.

He went on to become the Dean of Hong Kong between 1953-59. On his return he took a position as senior chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most Rev Geoffrey Fisher.

He was later the vicar of St Mary Portsea, near Portsmouth, before becoming the Archdeacon of Malmesbury, as well as the Archdeacon of Swindon.

"Churches in Swindon today have an ethos of working together, much of which is down to his efforts," added Mr Dobb.

He said he would appreciate written recollections or photographs.