THE challenges and joys of being the new vicar of Tavistock is something the Very Rev Dr Christopher Hardwick very much looks forward to, along with meeting his new flock and the wider community.

On Wednesday, January 28 he will be officially licensed in St Eustachius' Church as priest-in-charge of the parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor by the Bishop of Crediton, the Right Rev Nick McKinnel.

It's an occasion Chris is looking forward to and when asked by the Times if there was one message he would like to relay to the whole community, he said: 'This post is a calling to me. I am very conscious that Tavistock Parish Church has a very rich tradition of worship, prayer and ministry and I hope to build upon this.

'My hope as priest in charge is that the church and the community come and work together for the benefit of all.

'We can value this rich tradition even more deeply by coming together to worship God and make more disciples in building his kingdom here.'

Looking around St Eustachius' Church, his first impressions was that it was 'a very spiritual place'.

Chris, aged 57, a former Dean of Truro, comes to Tavistock from his post as the mission leader and enabler for the Holsworthy Mission Community, and priest-in-charge of the parishes of Pyworthy with Pancrasweek and Bridgerule.

He married Sarah, a medical secretary, in 2011 and they have five children — two are music graduates living and working in London, two are approaching the start of their GCSE studies at Tavistock College, and their youngest daughter is at a local primary school.

Chris was born in Lichfield and with his parents was part of the local Anglican church.

Although he was a regular attender when younger he did not feel a particular religious calling and for 15 years followed a career in banking before becoming a licensed Reader in 1987 — a secular experience which he says he is grateful for.

As to his own faith and his path towards church ministry, he confesses it was 'a change of direction that came about gradually. There was no sudden conversion experience.'

Indeed, it appears that his colleagues at the bank had more of an inkling to Chris's vocation than him — when he announced that he was leaving the bank for the church, one asked him: 'What took you so long?'

He went on to train at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford, and was ordained in Worcester in 1992, subsequently obtaining a BA at the Open University, and an MA in pastoral theology at Birmingham University in 1996, followed by a PhD in theology in 2000.

Since then his church 'curriculum vitae' has been impressive, starting off as an assistant curate in Worcester, a part-time hospice chaplain and at a college for the blind before becoming a rector.

From 1997 to 2005 Chris was rural dean of Upton, and chairman of the Worcester Diocesan House of Clergy from 2002-2005. He was appointed an honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral in 2003.

In 2005, he became Dean of Truro and Rector of St Mary's, Truro and chaired the Truro Diocesan Board of Education.

At a national ecclesiastical level he was elected to the Church of England's General Synod in 2004 and served on the Church Commissioners' pastoral, bishopric and cathedrals committees.

He experienced the spotlight of the national media four years ago when he resigned as Dean of Truro following the breakdown of the marriage with his first wife.

Of those events, Chris said: 'I have always said that when a marriage ends it is always very difficult and it certainly was for me, my family and the church at that time. But that is now in the past.'

Three years ago Chris married Sarah and they are very happy, having enjoyed family life together in their former parishes in North Devon.

The family is looking forward to living here in Tavistock.

'We have three children here, two at Tavistock College and another at St Peter's School and they have all settled in well, making friends and made to feel welcome,' said Christopher.

Music plays an important part in his life, having sung with a number of choirs — Chris is a tenor — including the CBSO Chorus, Birmingham, the Worcester Festival Chorus, and more recently, the Derriton Singers and the Holsworthy Festival Chorus.

Other hobbies include cooking and joining Sarah when she sails.

As a family, the Hardwicks enjoy the outdoors and especially walking their energetic, eleven-month-old West Highland terrier — Chris is especially looking forward to walks on Dartmoor and taking their dog to Brentor Church when it holds its special pets' service!

Speaking about the recent move to Tavistock and the forthcoming licensing service, Chris said: 'I am deeply committed to parochial ministry and we are all delighted to be joining the parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor.

'We are very much looking forward to meeting and getting to know people, and becoming known by them. We have received a wonderful welcome since our move and we are looking forward to an exciting time ahead of new ministry in Devon.'

He wants to work together with individuals, schools and people of all ages, businesses, local councils and organisations for the benefit of the community and that, he says, 'takes time'.

'Already I see Tavistock is blessed with a very vibrant church and an active, caring community and I look forward to being part of it, helping to strengthen and build on the foundations already laid by those before me.'