Never mind the cassocks
Former punk rocker ordained as minister in the Church of Scotland
THE former lead singer of a punk band has been ordained as a Church of Scotland minister.
Craig Dobney, 54, fronted The Grind, who performed covers of punk and heavy rock at pubs and clubs.
Now he has been named as the new man in the pulpit at Comrie Parish Church in Perthshire.
Craig was also an RAF avionics engineer serving in both Gulf Wars, and won an episode of BBC’s The Weakest Link with Anne Robinson in 2010.
The married dad-of-four told how he had been inspired to join the ministry after witnessing extreme poverty during military duty.
Craig, who spent his spare time as a DJ and singer whi le living in Northallerton, Yorkshire, joined the RAF in 1984 . He served for 22 years including time with 43 Squadron at RAF Leuchars and service in the Falklands, Middle East and Baltic regions.
He said: “I was an engineer on the ground based in Saudi Arabia with XI Squadron Tornado F3s.
“I fixed the radar, navigation fly-bywire and weapons-aiming systems but I also assisted in loading the missiles and the guns.”
He visited Khartoum in Sudan in 2014 with Air Service Training based in Perth.
Craig added: “Our vehicle stopped at traffic lights where a number of very young children, aged around six to 10, came over to us selling little plastic toys.
“They needed the money to feed themselves and their families – it was heartbreaking.”
Craig grew up as the son of a Baptist minister in Perthshire. He and wife Donna-kerri have four children, Laura, Steffi, Daniel and Liam, and four grandchildren.
He said: “At a time when life is so difficult for so many people, I feel so honoured to serve the communities of Comrie and St Fillans.”