Reverend Peter Edwards was yesterday welcomed to Bathwick as the new parish priest. The united benefice covers St Mary’s and St John’s churches.

The service in St John’s included licensing by the Bishop of Taunton and installation by the Archdeacon of Bath. Children from St Mary’s Primary and local councillors also took part in the ceremony.

Father Peter has been a vicar for five years in Bridport, on the Dorset coast. Many of his former parishioners traveled up to Bath for his installation, helping to fill the church. Prior to his calling, Peter Edwards worked in finance, including as a consultant for a large accountancy firm. He is married and has three sons at school.

Bathwick’s previous parish priest, Father David Prothero, is now chaplain of the Magdalen Chapel on Holloway.