THE Rt Rev Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, arrived yesterday in Tavistock Deanery to carry out a host of engagements until this coming Sunday evening.

The first of these was a welcome service in Tavistock Methodist Church last night. This morning (Thursday) he is due to speak at a breakfast for the farming community in Lifton, followed by a visit to Lewtrenchard School.

At lunchtime the bishop will meet farmers and auctioneers at Tavistock Cattle Market and in the afternoon will go to Milton Abbot School. In the evening he will attend a reception for the business and working community at 7pm at Tavistock Town Hall.

Tomorrow, Bishop Michael will be spending the day at Tavistock College, where he will be welcomed by principal Colin Eves, and undertake numerous activities with Guy Airton, Christian youth worker at the college, including seminars and assemblies.

In the evening there will be a special service at the college when the Bishop will be encouraging everyone to look at the vocations to which they are being called within the Christian communities.

There is a special men's breakfast at Moorland Links Hotel, Yelverton, on Saturday, where Bishop Michael will be guest speaker. He will then visit Walkhampton Market and attend Meavy Oak Fair in the afternoon, followed by a strawberry fair at Peter Tavy.

In the evening the bishop will be sharing his faith with pubgoers in Tavistock together with the Rev Michael Brierley, Vicar of Tavistock, and the Rev Geoff Lloyd, Rural Dean and Vicar of Horrabridge.

On the final day of his visit, Sunday, Bishop Michael will lead two services. The first will be in the open air at St Eustachius Churchyard at 10am and will include a number of baptisms in the River Tavy. Music will be played by Stannary Brass Band.

At 6.30pm at St Andrew's Whitchurch, he will lead a seeker's service, which is aimed at those new to the Christian faith or seeking more information about it.