AN ABINGDON man has been appointed as the new Bishop of Hertford.

Canon Dr Michael Beasley’s appointment was announced by 10 Downing Street on Thursday.

He has been the director of mission at the Diocese of Oxford the past five years and will leave to take up his new post in St Albans, Hertfordshire, at the end of April.

The Rev Beasley said: “I hope that the experience I bring from Oxford will serve the people of St Albans Diocese.

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“In Oxford I’ve appreciated enormously working with a wide range of people and churches across the spectrum of the Christian tradition.

“I’ve done this in different settings, working alongside people to address issues from the care of young people to the provision of ministry, from outreach to local communities to action for social justice.

“Sad though I am to leave the Oxford Diocese I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the people of Hertfordshire.”

The Acting Bishop of Oxford the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher said: “Michael has been an outstanding director of mission over the past few years and we will miss him greatly.

“Our loss is, very definitely, their gain, and our love and prayers go with him and his wife, Lizzie, and the children.”