All Saints Church, Rockwell Green, has a new priest in charge, the Rev Martin Beaumont.

He steps into the shoes of the Rev Maria Hearl who retired in February having been at All Saints’ since 2015.

Father Martin, a Yorkshireman, read Theology at London University and was ordained in 1974.

Although a he has served in three separate parishes, most of his ministry has been spent as a school chaplain, where he also taught moral philosophy and prepared pupils for A level Religious Studies.

“Between 1985 and 1992, I was the chaplain at Taunton School and it was for this reason that my wife and I retired to Milverton in 2017,” he said.

“My main extra-curricular enthusiasms were mostly outdoors: walking and climbing – including three World Challenge expeditions – rugby football and swimming, the last of which I still enjoy in the outdoor pool at Wiveliscombe!”

In 2019, he was appointed a part- time associate priest in the Wellington and District Team Ministry, with particular responsibility for the Ashbrittle group of parishes to the west of the benefice.

He said that being asked to assume responsibility for the pastoral care of All Saints’ coincided with the relaxation of some of the Covid-19 restrictions.

“We have gradually re-commenced with our Sunday worship at the new time of 11.15am.

“At the end of July we managed, successfully, to welcome the school leavers to a memorable end of year service, where we were also able to bid farewell to the children.”

Father Martin is hoping that anyone who recognises him in and around the parish will introduce themselves, and he added: “Everyone is very welcome to join us at our Eucharist on Sundays."