Welcoming our new Vicar

On Tuesday, 30th April, St Paul’s was filled with clergy – active, retired, ecumenical, and lay readers, together with dignitaries, representatives from various parts of the community including our primary schools, and members of the congregations of St Paul’s and The Fell, Grange-over-Sands, and St Peter’s, Field Broughton.

It was a very happy occasion as the Right Reverend Rob Saner-Haigh (Bishop of Penrith, and Acting Bishop of Carlisle) licensed the Rev’d David Wilmot  as Team Vicar of the Parishes of St Paul, Grange-over-Sands, and St Peter, Field Broughton with Lindale.  David was then duly installed by the Venerable Vernon Ross (Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness).

The service began with the Introit: ‘Fairest Lord Jesus’ arr. Martin How, followed with Fanfare by Richard Lloyd before the Crucifer led in the clergy procession, followed by the Bishop.

During the service the Rural Dean, the Rev’d John Dixon, invited members of the wider community to greet the new Minister, and symbols of the different aspects of church life were presented to David by members from both Grange and Field Broughton, including two youngsters from the primary school.

The choir sang the anthem: ‘Panis angelicus’ (Bread of heaven) by Cesar Franck, and also John Rutter’s anthem: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’.

We were privileged to have the Deputy Lieutenant, Henry Bowring, with us, and also Roger Handley, Mayor Grange Town Council.

David was accompanied by his wife Margaret, and was supported by friends from his former parishes in Cumbria and further afield.

The service ended with an organ voluntary: Organ voluntary: ‘Postlude in C’ by Henry Smart, after which everyone stayed for the refreshments.

A full copy of the service can be read here.