A NEW minister has been welcomed at Christchurch, the Methodist/United Reformed Church on The Grove, Ilkley.

The Rev Dr Roberta Topham follows on from the Rev Rob Hilton and brings with her a love of Yorkshire in all its rich diversity and a real commitment to get to know Ilkley and the area.

Roberta, who was born in Newcastle, Co. Down, and experienced life during the Troubles, is keen to work ecumenically and with all people of good will. Roberta left Northern Ireland to attend university in Cambridge before becoming a Methodist lay worker in a Leeds project instigated by Mission Alongside the Poor. She returned to Cambridge to undertake her theological training and pursued doctoral research at the same time as having her children.

She comes to Ilkley after working as a minister in Bradford and then latterly Harrogate. Roberta said: “ I am delighted to find Christchurch so well placed for many different community groups.

“It’s great to be living in Ilkley and I have already enjoyed a couple of bracing walks on the moor with the mesmerizingly-beautiful views. I am looking forward to working in a place that is already so good for body, mind and soul and to making my contribution.”

Roberta joins a team of seven colleagues to serve in the Wharfedale and Aireborough Methodist Circuit of fourteen churches which stretches from Addingham to Bramhope and includes among others Timble, Otley and Pool Methodist churches.