THE United Parish of Parkend and Viney Hill formally welcomed a new resident on Saturday (October 13) who has joined the Forest community with his family.

Rev Sam Norton has moved into the vicarage in Yorkley to take over the role of parish vicar, responsible for St Paul’s Church in Parkend and All Saints Church, Viney Hill, from Rev Philippa Brunt, who retired last November.

Somewhat unusually, Rev Norton grew up on a houseboat in Essex, and is deeply interested in environmental matters.

Churchwarden Trish Ducker said: “We interviewed Sam for the position, which includes a role with the associate director of ordinands, helping to train new vicars and readers.

“When we met him, he just fitted in and had such enthusiasm that we know he’ll be a great asset to the parish.”

Rev Norton said: “The job really appealed to me. I was looking at Gloucestershire for family reasons, and there were two things that stood out – one was the word ‘Forest’ – as my wife Victoria put it, there is the right ratio of trees to people here – and the other was the combination of a parish job with the Diocesan job of helping people to discern what God wants them to do with their lives.

“Both elements appealed to me equally, so I was fortunate to be offered the post.

“My wife and I have six children between us, ranging in age from eight to 24 and the younger ones are all home-educated. Before joining the church I was a civil servant in the Department of the Environment, and I remain interested in environmental matters.

“I love teaching the faith, especially to ad- ults in small groups, and hope to be able to continue that work here. I’m passionately political, but a Christian first (and second and third).

“I use Twitter probably a bit too much – @Elizaphanian – and I’ve written a book about how the church needs to understand the environmental crisis.

“I also write a monthly article for a magazine back in Essex and my wife and I even edited the local newspaper in Essex for a time,” he revealed.

“We like fine food and wine and have been impressed with the local pubs. I plan to visit all the parish pubs before the end of the month.”