Praise the Lord! Blackmoor and Whitehill has a new priest-in-charge.

People from all faiths recently gathered in St Matthew’s Blackmoor to welcome The Revd Amanda Sim to the parish.

Last Wednesday’s service was led by The Rt Revd Jonathan Frost, the Bishop of Portsmouth, and was attended by Whitehill town councillors Catherine Clark, Leeroy Scott and Adeel Shah.

Her ascension is quite remarkable as Amanda, who was previously curate at St Peter’s, Petersfield and St Mary’s, Buriton, hadn’t even been baptised or confirmed just a decade ago, coming from an agnostic family.

Amanda is the second new face at the church this year as the Revd Kate Lloyd Jones was recently appointed associated priest for Blackmoor and Whitehill.