Suzie Allen with Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, Minster Rector, Archdeacon of Sherborne, Rural Dean of Wimborne and Churchwardens from The Minster, Witchampton and Holt
At a service held in Wimborne Minster the Revd Suzie Allen was licensed by the Archdeacon of Sherborne, the Venerable Paul Taylor as Associate Priest of Wimborne Minster and the Northern Villages. At the same service the Rector of Wimborne Minster, the Revd Canon Vanessa Herrick was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Northern Villages. The Archdeacon, who conducted the service was assisted by the Rural Dean of Wimborne the Revd Canon Chris Tebbutt. The villages encompass Holt, Hinton Martel, Charlbury, Horton, Witchampton, Stanbridge, Long Crichel and Moor Crichel.
The ministry team already serving the Minster, Revd Belinda Marflitt (Curate) and associate priests Revd Dr Brenda Gibson and Revd Elise Harding and licensed lay minister Elfriede Mills all received licenses to serve in the northern villages.
Suzie, who takes on the responsibility of the pastoral care for the northern villages has come from the parish of Wareham where she served her curacy but is originally from Salisbury.
Over 200 people attended the service including many from Wareham, the Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Victoria McDonaugh, the chairman of Dorset County Council Cllr John Wilson and his wife Lesley and the chairman of East Dorset District Council Cllr Robin Cook . The singing was led by members of the Minster Choir together with choir members from the villages.
