PARISHIONERS at a town church, who waited 15 months for a new appointment to be made, have given a warm welcome to their new parish priest.

Patricia Allsopp, a 55-year-old mother of two, was officially installed and licensed at a special service at St Godwald's, Finstall. The service, held on January 6, was conducted by the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev David Walker, and the Archdeacon of Dudley, the Ven Fred Trethewey.

Tricia succeeds the Rev Pat Harvey, who retired in the autumn of 2002.

She will assume the title of vicar when the new vicarage, now under construction in the grounds of the old building, is completed - possibly in the spring.

As was appropriate for the sixth, Epiphany, the archbishop chose gifts as the theme for his sermon to a congregation which included many local clergy and church officials and representatives from civic and community organisations. A party from Upton-on-Severn, where Tricia had been curate, travelled to Bromsgrove by coach to attend the service.

Born in Colchester, Tricia was educated at Chester City High School and trained as a primary school teacher in Cheltenham.

She trained and was licensed as a reader in the Worcester Diocese in 1989-90.

Later she undertook theological training at Queen's College, Birmingham, obtaining a diploma in applied theology.

Tricia is married to Michael, a retired sixth form teacher. She has held a variety of teaching posts in primary education and has been a governor of a comprehensive school.

The couple have a grown up son and daughter and a ten-month-old granddaughter. Finstall is her first parish.

"I am looking forward to my role as priest-in-charge of St Godwald's and to working with members of the Group Ministry in Bromsgrove," she said.