FORMER farmer, the Rev Mark I'Anson, has been inducted as priest-in-charge of Kirkby Malham and Coniston Cold, his first job in charge of a parish.

Mr I'Anson and his wife, Maggie, moved to Malhamdale from Firbank, near Sedbergh, where they had farmed for 20 years. In addition, Mr I'Anson ran a farm management business.

So the largely agricultural nature of Malhamdale presents no real change for the vicar, who has served as a non-stipendiary priest for the last six years.

"This is a great place, and it is very similar to where we came from," he told the Herald.

He is keeping an active interest in farming as he has brought with him a small flock of blue faced Leicester sheep.

The Archdeacon of Craven, the Ven Malcolm Grundy, performed the induction ceremony, and Mr I'Anson's first service as incumbent will be the Mothering Sunday service this weekend.

He takes over from the Rev Barry Newth who retired on health grounds. During the interregnum a previous Kirkby Malham vicar, the Rev Charles Trevor, helped out, as did the Rev Ted Kendall, of Settle. The Bishop himself even took the odd service.

Mr I'Anson paid tribute to the hard work of the local churchwardens Bill Bland, Shirley Rycroft, Chris Hall, Gerald Hall and Kathleen Towler.

As well as agriculture, Mr I'Anson's interests include dry stone walling and computers. Maggie lists the WI, sewing, upholstery, gardening and socialising among her hobbies.

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