By Geoff Fisher 
The Reepham and Wensum Valley Benefice will welcome its new priest in charge, Revd Nigel Kinsella (pictured), on Tuesday 2 July. He will be licensed by the Bishop of Lynn, Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, during an evening service at 7.30 pm in St Mary’s, Reepham, followed by refreshments in St Michael’s.
Revd Nigel will serve the newly revised benefice, which now brings together the parishes of Alderford and Attlebridge, Great Witchingham, Reepham, Salle, Swannington, Thurning, Weston Longville and Wood Dalling. He and his wife Sharon will be moving into The Rectory on Station Road, Reepham.
Before returning to Norfolk, Revd Nigel served as academy chaplain at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the final post in his 16 years of army service, which took him to many parts of the world, including Kenya and Afghanistan.
He is also no stranger to rural ministry in this region. After beginning his working life as a police officer in Birmingham and later Dereham, he trained for ordination and went on to serve in Attleborough, Quidenham and East Harling, leading a seven‑parish benefice and acting as chaplain to a children’s hospice.
“I am excited by the prospect of serving in a benefice that values tradition while embracing innovation,” he said. “I hope to bring a steady, prayerful and imaginative approach to this next chapter of ministry.”
Photo: submitted