A POPULAR Methodist minister is leaving her Malvern church for pastures new at the end of July.

Rev Alison Richards and her husband David will be leaving the church in Lansdowne Crescent to move to a vary different area, Lozells and Handsworth in inner-city Birmingham.

Mrs Richards came to the Malvern area as a newly ordained minister in 2010 and has looked after three churches, Lansdowne Crescent, Somers Park Avenue and Upper Welland.

Cynthia Merriman, Senior Steward at the Lansdowne church, said: "She is a well-loved, caring person who has brought many fresh ideas to Lansdowne, and encouraged new initiatives."

These have included the weekly pay-what-you-can cafe, the public debates which happen twice a year, and a listening group for the bereaved and lonely.

The Lansdowne Development Project, a scheme to bring the premises up to the standards of accessibility and comfort required today began in the last few years and will be continuing after she has moved on.

On Sunday, July 16, there will be a garden party and service to say Farewell, and her final service at Lansdowne Crescent will be on Sunday, July 23, at 10.30am. All are welcome to these services.