Cross of St PiranViv is an explorer, an adventurer open to the wonders the world has to offer yet is also rooted and grounded in Cornwall, with Talland Church her spiritual home.

Viv has travelled extensively and her faith has been shaped and enriched by the experiences she has had. She was asked when 19 and travelling around Europe if she would like to have an audience with the Pope, she happened to be at Dharamshala on one of the twelve days in the year that the Dalai Lama was present and, in the midst of thousands of people, found a walkway that led directly to where he was speaking. She was touched by the devotion of the Jews to the Wailing Wall, visited the birthplace of Jesus and the Sinai Desert where Moses received the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

“My faith feels like it has been built up a bit like Joseph’s technicolour dreamcoat! Multi-layered, colourful but there to glorify God.”

For all the wonders that Viv has seen over the years, Talland Church holds a fascination and wealth of stories that she is passionate to share.  And so she has put her faith into action by designing, launching and managing a website for the church that gives it a platform for outreach and a place where its stories can be told.

Viv also manages their Twitter account which has an extraordinary reach, even to as far as an MP in Australia, a former soap star and a young man in New York with cerebral palsy who types with his nose. “It’s a great tool for outreach, connecting with people way beyond the parish boundaries. It’s good for us as a church, giving the command to love our neighbours a richer dimension.”

“Twitter is a great tool for outreach, connecting with people way beyond the parish boundaries. It’s good for us as a church, giving the command to love our neighbours a richer dimension.”

Viv has also served on the PCC for twelve years and has been put forward for this award for her warmth and welcome and because she has, “Consistently gone above and beyond in her service of Talland Church.” This desire to serve her church shows no signs of waning. Viv is currently gathering information about its fascinating history, continuing her quest to travel but this time through history.