Singing clergyman who used to pull teeth honoured for his work in the local community

A Derry clergyman has been honoured for his work in the local community. The Rector of All Saints, Clooney, the Reverend David McBeth (pictured above), has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘his service to charity and to the community in County Londonderry’. The news was revealed when the 2016 Honours List was published at the weekend. The local clergyman, who is on a family holiday in Spain, said he and his wife, April, were shocked when they first learned of the award, although he added they are both thrilled at the news. “I am delighted to have received this recognition from Her Majesty,” Rev McBeth said. “Although there are many others who share in this honour: my wife, my children and the many people I have performed with. “I’m particularly thankful that our efforts here in the All Saints, Clooney Parish, in the Diocese and in the wider Church of Ireland have also been recognised.” Rev McBeth, who is a chaplain to the Foyle Hospice, has been a minister for ten years and worked previously as a dental technician. He is a familiar face at fund-raising events throughout the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe and further afield, and has helped raise large sums of money for charities including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The father-of-three grown-up children plays guitar and keyboards, and has released two country gospel albums, ‘The Gospel Album’ and ‘He is Risen’. He performs regularly in local hospitals, nursing homes and caring facilities. He has been prominently involved in cross-community work in the Waterside and in Dungiven where he was previously Rector.