ASK any parishioner to name three things the Rev David Capron is passionate about and they would probably come up with rugby, real ale and railways.

You could add to that cricket, stamp collecting, walking, birdwatching, classical music and the fact that he grows his own tobacco (under licence, of course).

But first and foremost David would say he is a priest, a parish priest with a traditional role in Alcester, the parish he has served for nearly 14 years.

He was born in Minehead, Somerset, 59 years ago this October and says he is still aware of his Somerset roots although he left there at the age of two and only goes back occasionally.

He began training for the ministry at the age of 26 after working as a bank clerk, builder's labourer, dustman and insurance loss adjuster, as well as a spell on the dole.

During his first curacy in Coventry, he met his wife, Hilary, and the couple have been married for 27 years.

They have three sons - Mark, now married to Helen; Peter, a student at Oxford Brookes University; and Stephen, a sixth form student at Alcester Grammar School.

The family moved to Alcester from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and before that were in Shottery.

"I see my role here as a traditional parish priest, providing an atmosphere and environment that is conducive to people proclaiming their faith and ministering to one another.

"I try not to tell people what to do but to just provide an environment and people get on with doing things.

"If you get the temperature up and create the right conditions, that is what happens."

In July, David will become president of the Alcester St Nicholas Rotary Club and he is chaplain to Stratford Rugby Club and Warwickshire Fire Brigade, president of Shottery Rugby Club, vice-president of Alcester Rugby Club and Alcester and Ragley Park cricket team and secretary of the local clergy cricket team.

In his spare time, he enjoys going for long walks and as a member of the RSPB he has done bird surveys for local farmers.

Although not quite ready for retirement, he says when the day comes he would like to be "in a parish where there is a young priest who - could support and where - could perhaps still celebrate mass once a week."

He would also to walk more and indulge in his favourite mode of transport - trains.

"In common with a lot of my parishioners I love trains - travelling on them, watching them and reading about them."

For this reason, he is hoping to set up a railway club in the town in the autumn.