ON A COLD and wet evening at the end of January the Reverend David Barnes was licensed by the Bishop of Truro as Priest-in-Charge of the United Benefice of Bude Haven and Marhamchurch and the United Benefice of Stratton and Launcells.

The event took place in the Parish Church of St Andrew, Stratton where he was installed by the Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Venerable Audrey Elkington.

The new priest was formally welcomed by the Rural Dean, the churchwardens of the four parishes and by representatives of various parish communities.

Among those represented were the Blanchminster Trust, RAOB, the Mothers' Union, the local schools, Ecumenical Partners, the Street Pastors, Stratton Hospital League of Friends, the funeral services, local and county councillors and the Stratton Deanery.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.