A NEW priest was officially welcomed in to the West Dartmoor Mission Community on April 7. The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Nick McKinnel welcomed the Rev Patrick Parkes to his new role as an associate priest at a service in St Paul's Church, Yelverton. Members of the local community and churches across the area gathered to welcome Mr Parkes, who will be based in Yelverton but will work across the whole mission community. In addition to this role Mr Parkes will work with the South West Ministerial Training Course, looking after the training of readers in the Church of England. Mr Parkes, who is joined by his wife Viv, said: 'I am delighted to be here and to work with the team of clergy and the people in these parishes. 'I am looking forward to getting to know everyone in the West Dartmoor area and to share the good news with them.' Mr Parkes joins the ministerial team who work in six parishes (seven churches) including Meavy, Walkhampton, Sheepstor, Yelverton, Princetown, Horrabridge and Sampford Spiney.