HAVING served in Launceston for the last five years, Rev Alison Hardy has moved on to pastures new — a little closer to home.

On Sunday, November 26, in St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Holsworthy, she was inaugurated as priest-in-charge of the Holsworthy Benefice.

In attendance was the Archdeacon of Barnstaple Verena Breed and Bishop of Crediton Jackie Searle who helped welcome Rev Hardy to her new role.

It was back in July 2015, with her family looking on, Rev Hardy from Bude was ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton at Truro Cathedral.

A farmer from just outside Holsworthy, she left the family farm in order to take up a full time curacy in north Cornwall.

Alison said: “Sheep were always my special interest having trained at agricultural college in lowland sheep production. After getting married, my husband Chris and I started farming on my parents’ land before buying our own farm and then taking over my parents’ land as well. Leaving the family was hard, leaving the livestock almost as hard!”

Alison’s journey from farm life to church life began when she was a teenager. “It was discovered I could play the piano and so the village church asked me to play their harmonium for services.”

Working in the church full time has also been rewarding. 

“There is much to learn and so many dedicated Christians supporting their congregations and giving sacrificially that I am constantly humbled by their strong faith displayed in action and through commitment. As I’ve seen God’s hand guiding my own faith journey I have become keen to see how he is leading others. 

“I would like to encourage everyone to put their own gifts to use in their local church. It would be a privilege to be able to help that happen.”