A NEW minister has taken charge of the Methodist churches at Addingham and Ben Rhydding.

The Rev Vicky Atkins was welcomed into the Wharfedale and Aireborough Circuit at a service held last Wednesday evening at Ben Rhydding. The service was led by the Superintendent minister of the Circuit, the Rev Lesley Taylor, and the preacher was the Chairman of the District, the Rev. Anne Brown.

Rev Atkins was commissioned and welcomed into the Circuit and then received greetings of welcome from representatives of the two churches coming under her care as well as from a representative of St John's parish church in Ben Rhydding, and from the Moderator of Churches Together in Ilkley. Vicky Atkins was ordained as a diaconal minister in 2011 before taking up training for presbyteral ministry in 2014. Her husband Andrew is also a Methodist minister currently serving the church in Guiseley and as part-time chaplain at Leeds/Bradford airport. They have four children and are living in the manse at Addingham.

Rev Atkins said: "I am really looking forward to working amongst the people of Addingham and Ben Rhydding and to sharing with them in the next stage of their journey."