HIGHBRIDGE was one of the first port of call for the first woman Bishop of Taunton after her appointment was announced on Tuesday, May 30.

The Ven Ruth Worsley travelled to Churchfield Primary School, a CofE Academy in Highbridge, to meet school children and staff.

Before that she toured the YMCA’s George Williams Centre, which supports local young people without a safe place to stay by providing accommodation, advice and counselling.

The Ven Ruth Worsley, Archdeacon of Wiltshire since January 2013, is the 13th Bishop of Taunton and fifth Bishop in the UK.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

She was ordained in 1996 and served for 14 years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, during which time she was Dean of Women’s Ministry and parish development adviser in the Diocese of Southwark.

The Ven Worsley said: “I’m surprised and amused to be chosen as the next Bishop of Taunton as I grew up in a non-conformist church where women held no roles of leadership.

“I’m delighted to be heading to Somerset to join the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the world, moving ‘next door’ as it were.

“It’ll be a great privilege to meet and serve everyone who lives and works in the county.

“In a diocese with such a mix of rural and more urban parishes, each I’m sure with its own distinct personality, I’m really keen to experience how our churches and the diocese are meeting those different needs.”

The Rt Rev Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells said: “Ruth is going to bring a wealth of experience in town and country to her new role as Bishop of Taunton.

“I look forward to sharing in the service of Christ with her and know our parishes, schools, chaplaincies and all our communities will benefit from the gifts she brings.”

The Ven Worlsey will be ordained and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the autumn and be officially installed as Bishop of Taunton in Wells Cathedral later this year.