TAVISTOCK Parish Church will be the scene of a special event this Sunday when the Rev Tim Treanor, curate of Tavistock and Gulworthy, will be ordained priest by the bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Rev John Ford.

The service at 6pm in St Eustachius Church on Sunday, September 27, will be attended by the archdeacon of Plymouth, the mayor of Tavistock, the chair of the chamber of commerce, county councillor Debo Sellis, and other leading figures from around the town.

The Rev Michael Brierley, priest-in-charge, who will preach at the service, said: 'It is fantastic that this unusual service is being held in our parish church so that the community of Tavistock can participate in it.

'Often these significant occasions take place in Exeter Cathedral, so we are fortunate to be able to host it here.

'Our director of music, Dr Sean Sweeney, has put together thrilling and varied music for the service, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band — a sign of the close working relationships between the churches of the town.'

Tim Treanor will continue to serve Tavistock and Gulworthy, and as a priest, will be able to take services of holy communion.

He will do this for the first time at the family harvest festival at the parish church at 9.45am on Sunday October 4.

Prior to arriving in Tavistock a year ago, he served in the Royal Engineers, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2006, when he undertook theological training in Oxford. His wife Emma also works in Tavistock as a staff nurse in the community hospital.

Tim said: 'We feel so welcomed by the people of Tavistock.

'We like being close to Dartmoor and enjoy walking when we can. St Eustachius' is a great place to serve, for it is very much at the heart of this community.

'I have enjoyed many and varied opportunities to become involved in the life of the town, from preaching at one of the civic services to speaking at the Sainsbury's Inquiry. I've been surprised by how much I enjoy work with children and young people.

'I'm also becoming more involved with some of the village communities, in particular Gulworthy and Brentor, and learning about rural life and the agricultural economy.

'I very much hope that many of the people who have made me so welcome this year will feel able to join us for this celebration.'

Everyone is welcome to the service and to the reception in the church that will follow it.