A NEW priest has been warmly welcomed into Lifton and the surrounding villages by parishioners writes Sam Hughes.

The Rev Tim Deacon, 57, who was born in Devon but has lived in various areas across the UK, became the priest-in-charge of the Lifton Benefice, which includes Broadwoodwidger, Lewtrenchard, Thrushelton, Stowford, Kelly and Bradstone, just over two weeks ago.

Mr Deacon was born just north of Exeter to a vicarage family and studied theology at Exeter University.

After university he spent a year as a casualty porter at Ashford Hospital in Middlesex then went on to spend a year at theology college in Chichester to train to become a vicar.

His first job saw him return to the Exeter Diocese, as a curate at Whitleigh in Plymouth from 1980 to 1983. During this time he met his wife, Sheila.

After marrying in 1983, Mr Deacon moved to be priest-in-charge of Devonport, where he and Sheila had two daughters, Hannah and Katie. Five years later he was moved to be priest-in-charge of Newton Ferrers, Noss Mayo and Holberton, where they had a son, James, and stayed for 19 years while the children were in education.

From there the family moved to Brixham in 2007 and have now settled in Lifton.

Mr Deacon said: 'We've always loved Devon — this is our home. We both like walking and love the countryside. We like gardening a lot and we have a lot of potential with our new garden for future events.

'We have been warmly welcomed by everyone and have been sent flowers and cards since our arrival. We look forward to spending many years here.'