AT a ceremony in Peter Tavy last month, Methodists welcomed a new local preacher — a trained volunteer who leads worship, drawing on their experience of being a Christian in the work place.

Retired teacher David Norman, from Horrabridge, was presented with the official letter of welcome by fellow local preacher David Scrivener, a Tavistock retail manager (pictured right).

The letter was from the president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev Steve Wild. He wrote: 'You have not reached some kind of summit in the journey of local preaching, but a launching pad as you move on, fully accredited, with the challenges that await as your preaching unfolds.'