A NEW priest is at the helm in Tenbury Wells after a service in the town attended by the Bishop of Hereford.

Tenbury welcomed a new priest-in-charge on Tuesday, 18 July, when the Reverend Lawrence Gittins was "licensed" at a well-attended service at St Mary's Church by the Bishop of Hereford, the Right Reverend Richard Jackson.

Previously curate at St Laurence and St John, Ludlow, Reverend Lawrence has spent most of his working life in teaching, in London and Shropshire.

Do you have a Ludlow or Tenbury story you would like us to include? We would love to hear from you!

Send us your news by emailing news@ludlowadvertiser.co.uk or by clicking here.

This included nearly 20 years as a head teacher, "before God called me to the ministry", he said.

He is married to Ruth and has five daughters, the youngest of whom still lives with them, now at the vicarage in Burford. Three of their daughters were able to attend Tuesday's service, along with Reverend Lawrence's first grandchild.

A keen singer, he previously sang with the Quidici chamber choir, including at the choir's regular performances at St Michael's.

His first priority is "to form as many good relationships with people in the area as possible", he said.