A NEW team rector has been welcomed to Malvern Link.

Father Peter Knight was installed at St Matthias Church last Wednesday, September 7, by The Rt Rev. Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester.

He replaces the recently retired Fr Graham Lyall and leads the churches of St Matthias, the Ascension and St Peter's.

"I am very pleased and so are my family about moving here, we are pleased to be part of the community, he said.

Fr Knight is married to Judith and has a son Ricky, 16.

He was ordained priest in 1981 after a variety of careers, including working as a religious studies teacher in Winchombe and seven years working for the Keith Grove Project for the physically disabled.

Vicar of St John the Baptist, Maldon for ten years from 1992, in 2002 he became co-ordinating chaplain at Long Lartin Prison, Evesham. He is now pleased to return to parish life.

"We look forward to getting to know the local people, starting with those who are involved with the three churches," said Fr Knight.

"I didn't come here with a plan, I want to get to know the team and learn to work with them. Together we can be better at being a church and serving the local community," he said.