A WEST Devon man is one of two new lay canons for Exeter Cathedral who have been appointed by the Bishop of Exeter. Professor Michael Winter OBE was installed by the bishop, the Right Rev Michael Langrish, at a special service at the cathedral on May 6, along with another lay canon, Dr John Rea, and four canons of honour. As a member of the College of Canons he will be involved in the oversight of general policy and strategy for the cathedral. Prof Winter is director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research and professor of rural policy in the department of politics at the University of Exeter. He has written on issues of rural social and environmental change with a particular interest in farming. Prof Winter is currently working on a book on climate change and land use. He is also a commissioner for the Commission for Rural Communities and President of Devon Rural Network. Between 2002 and 2007 he chaired the South West Rural Affairs Forum. Since 1993 he has been a licensed reader, mainly at St Mary's Church in Exbourne. He is also a Methodist local preacher. The Bishop of Exeter included Michael when he welcomed the appointments when he said: 'I warmly welcome the opportunity to appoint a number of men and women of considerable distinction in their own fields as lay canons of Exeter Cathedral. 'Each will bring a very considerable breadth and depth of wisdom and knowledge to the life of the cathedral. 'I also believe that they will be valued ambassadors for the cathedral's contribution to the wider community which it exists to serve.'
