I'm looking forward to coming to St Annes to be the new vicar at a parish with such a fine reputation
“I am very much looking forward to coming to St Annes.”
St Annes Parish Church has a new vicar.
Canon Adrian Ling, currently Rector of South and West Lynn in the Norwich Diocese, has been appointed successor to Fr Glen Brooks, who left the parish in January to take up a new role in Bedford.
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Fr Adrian’s institution and induction will be on Sunday, September 6 and he said: “I am very much looking forward to coming to St Annes. I am a Norfolk man and have served in the Diocese of Norwich for the past 20 years. I am pleased to be coming to a parish with such a fine reputation and a wonderful church school.
“I’m also looking forward to joining in the mission weekend celebrating the centenary of the diocese and look forward to getting to know everyone as priest and pastor and working with to help more people know the love of Christ.”
‘We are delighted’
Fr Brooks was vicar of St Annes Parish Church on Sunday for four years up to his departure to take up a new ministry as vicar of St Martin’s, Bedford combined with serving as bishop’s chaplain to the Bishop of Richborough.
He had previously been rector of Somerleyton Benefice, comprising six rural churches on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in the Diocese of Norwich.
A St Annes Parish Church spokesman said: “We are delighted to welcome Canon Ling after four great years with Fr Glen and his wife Heather, with progress in attendance, and the relaunch and growth of the Sunday School, which Heather particularly helped with.
"Other highlights were refurbishment and augmentation of the bells, repointing of the tower and new heating in the Parish Rooms.”
In the time since Fr Brooks’ departure, the church wardens have been in charge of keeping things ticking over, supported by many members of the congregation who regularly help out, with services will be taken by various local clergy.
While the Church of England Diocese of Blackburn, which covers St Annes, celebrates its centenary in November, St Annes Parish Church dates from 1873 and gave its name to the town, which was founded in 1874, celebrating its 150th anniversary last year.