A DIVINE welcome was given to a new village vicar when her licensing ceremony was carried out by the Bishop of Bedford.
The Rt Rev Richard Inwood conducted the ceremony at St Mary’s Church, Eaton Bray.
Now the Rev Coralie McCluskey is officially priest in charge of the parish of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough.
Mrs McCluskey, a former teacher, previously worked closely with villages as a team vicar in the Welwyn area.
She has also been the agricultural chaplain for Hertfordshire for two years, and will continue that role.
The new vicar has two sons and two daughters, and husband Ralph is an IT specialist working in Herts.
She was ordained in 2001, and became assistant curate in the benefice of St Mary the Virgin, Welwyn, with Ayot St Peter.
Then in 2004, she became a team vicar with the Welwyn ministry. She also served as acting team rector with the ministry for a time.
As the Herts agricultural chaplain, she helped to set up a farm crisis network in that county.
After news of her move to this area was announced, she said: “People have been very welcoming. They can look out for me on early morning walks with my Jack Russell, Winnie. I will be the person who says hello to everyone I pass!”