A VICAR is set to join a church in Bury next week.

Starting his new role, Simon Watkinson, 31, has also been appointed as a Pioneer Minister, with the job of recruiting new church members from various different groups.

Mr Watkinson, who completed his vicarage training at St Mellitus College, London, at age 25 and will be taking over from Harvie Nicol, who will remain responsible for St Thomas Pimhole and St John the Baptist Church, Bircle.

Before moving to London for his training, Mr Watkinson grew up in Sandbach, Cheshire and had family in Rochdale, saying he feels familiar with the North West, feeling the area feels like home and that he is happy to be in Bury.

He said: "As a Pioneer Minister, I'm hoping to add to the really great foundations that have already been laid by reaching out to new groups, particularly young people.

"After the Covid-19 pandemic, it feels like there has been a gloom across Bury and the whole country, so what I want to do is encourage people that God is still on their side.

"I want to help this area flourish, to see some hope restored and to comfort the down-hearted, which is important especially after the challenging and trying times of the last 18 months.

"The opportunity to be a vicar in Bury is the opportunity to really walk alongside the community as it picks itself up and overcomes new challenges.

"I'm really grateful for all the prayers of this borough, and for the people who have blessed it.

He added: "Good things happen when we work together, and I want to help reach out to new people, and trying new things.

"My talks with members of the Bury clergy have been brilliant so far, they have all been very accommodating, gracious and kind.

"This is a very welcoming church and we're hoping to bring in some new people."

He stated further : "I'm so glad to be back in the Northwest, because it feels like home and I'm very excited to get started."