General Synod Election Candidates 2026

SAM MAINDS
Standing for election to the General Synod of the Church of England.
I seek election to the House of Laity for Peterborough Diocese
to support SAVE THE PARISH.
I worship at Most Holy Trinity Church Hinton in the Hedges, Astwick vale benefice,
Diocese of Peterborough. On PCC for over 20 years. Church Warden for 8. Our Rector
Rev. George Frost joined us 3 years ago after a 3-year interregnum when I took services
if clergy unavailable.
I am fortunately fit and row in an eight at Henley evry week also cycling.
COMMITMENT TO THE ROLE
“Vicars are becoming an endangered species, leaving the nation's poorest
communities without regular priestly care,” Save the Parish, Times Sept. 6, 2026.
I support all six campaign proposals to support Parish, Priest and People particularly
‘the work to enshrine a priority for the parish in legislation once more and that the
Dioceses are sustainably resourced to keep priests in parishes”.
EXPERIENCE
LEGAL: Solicitor in Bow Street then Scotland Yard. Called to the bar, pupillage with the
‘Vicar General’, drafting ‘faculties’, attending court including a consistory court hearing
over whose duty to pay for the upkeep of a mausoleum.
I practised for over forty years and led for the Crown and for the defence in several
significant cases and became a Recorder, sitting in Crime, Civil and Family.
I enjoy speaking in public and presenting arguments succinctly.
Our Two Ancient Churches. Most Holy Trinity C12/13 (Pevsner’s p333) , plus for last 300
years St Peter’s Steane built 1620 (Pevsner’s p588), just 6 services a year.
EXPENSIVE LITIGATION: St Peter’s only access the manor house drive, disagreement
over access and parking led to trial before Land Registry Tribunal fixed Nov 2025
diocesan solicitors fee could be £25,000 . Diocese suggested I represent the PCC alone,
however if we lost, we could be ‘caught’ for other side’s costs , too big a risk so settled,
limited access and parking agreed.

Decision “Close one or lose both”. Hinton is smallest of the 5 benefice parishes and
only one with responsibility for two ancient churches, the other churches could not
afford to assist . We have congregations of 10/15 at Hinton only 2/3 from Hinton attend
at Steane, the rest curious visitors from outside. No option but to close St Peter’s.
Archdeacon’s comment ‘good fit’ with Churches Conservation Fund who we hope
would allow the services to continue.
SAFEGUARDING: At the Bar I prosecuted or defended in many crown court trials of rape
or lesser sexual offences learning how effective guilty defendants can be at hiding their
real intentions and winning over the unsuspecting.
My wife, a teacher, is our safeguarding officer.

WHY AM I STANDING?
My experience of how the framework of the commissioners and the Diocese effect a
small parish with limited resources, and managing the work of a parish with two historic
churches (sometimes without a priest) has motivated me to make change on a larger
scale by representing Save the Parish.

499 words!

benefice,crime,dioceses,interregnum,pcc,safeguarding,safeguarding officer,save the parish