A SPECIAL service to appoint Rev David Gill as the new vicar for Mitcheldean and Abenhall took place last Friday (September 2) at St Michael and All Angels.

At the same service vicars from the parish of Westbury-on-Severn were also licensed to work across the parish boundaries as part of a new partnership agreement.

The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Rev John Went, who licensed the vicars to their new roles explained: "Being a parish priest today can be a very tough and at times isolating experience. I am hopeful that by enabling clergy in neighbouring parishes to work alongside each other informally they will feel supported and feel less isolated."

The Rev David Gill, previously a vicar in Brockworth, was licensed as priest in charge for the area of Abenhall with Mitcheldean with a role as associate priest in the area of Westbury-on-Severn. He has three children Daniel (13), Rachel (11) and Charlotte (8) from his first marriage and in May this year married Sylvia who is a teacher.

Rev Sarah Hobbs was licensed as associate priest to work in Mitcheldean and surrounds. She came Westbury on Severn 41 years ago with her husband Quincey and brought up their sons in the village.

The Rev Ian Gobey, who was also licensed as an associate priest for Mitcheldean, was first ordained in 1996 while working as development control manager in the planning department at Stroud District Council. He moved to the parishes of Westbury-on-Severn with Blaisdon, Flaxley and Minsterworth in 1997.