THE people of Nether Stowey have come together to celebrate the institution and installation of the new rector of the Quantock Villages Benefice.

The Rev Chloe Kingdon was welcomed at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday, September 9 by Bishop Peter of Bath and Wells, together with the Archdeacon of Taunton and the rural dean.

The benefice includes the six parishes of Aisholt, Enmore, Goathurst, Nether Stowey, Over Stowey and Spaxton with Charlynch with over 3,000 people and three church primary schools.

During the welcome, people from the community presented various gifts to symbolise her tasks ahead.

These included a bible, a cross, bread and wine, a map of the area from our Parish Council Chairman, a children’s bible from the Headteacher and a basket of eggs from the farming community.

The service was followed by a reception with buffet and wine in the Nether Stowey Church Centre.

Chloe is the daughter of a farming family from Wheddon Cross, meeting her husband Steve through music and the church. Both are organists, and recognition of this was made by a music group as they played during the procession of Chloe and the bishop led by eight churchwardens from the six parishes and nearly 30 members of the clergy and readers from the area.