THE newly-appointed vicar of St Stephen’s Church, Shottermill, led prayers at Haslemere’s full town council meeting the day after her induction service on March 20.

Reverend Jenn Riddlestone was the favourite candidate for the ministry following the departure of former vicar The Rev Danny Wignall, who left in 2018 after 11 years, to take up a position as mission advisor for the Diocese of Guildford.

Mrs Riddlestone, who previously served as a curate in Egham, said: “I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have received from the people of St Stephen’s Church and the wider community. I am really looking forward to getting to know the community better.

“I have found St Stephen’s to be a warm and friendly group of people, and I hope to be able to help more people in our community, of all ages and backgrounds, get to know just how good God is and how much he loves them.

“I am married to Andy and have two children of primary school age and a three legged dog. I have a degree in mathematics and I trained for ministry in Durham, so I have a degree in theology too.

“The induction service was full to bursting. The Bishop of Guildford, The Rt Rev Andrew Watson, presided over the service and preached a wonderful sermon. I was given the keys to the church and rang the church bell to announce my arrival.

“The service was followed by a reception in the church hall with wine and nibbles. It was a lovely evening and a great way to start my time here.”