THE church of England team in Droitwich Spa, Salwarpe, and Hindlip with Martin Hussingtree, has a new member with the arrival of the Rev Laura Handy.

The team which covers several churches around the area including St Andrews, St Augustine, St Nicholas, and St Peters in Droitwich, St Michaels in Salwarpe and St Michael and All Angel’s in Martin Hussingtree, is taking on the Rev Hardy as a new curate to the parish.

The Rev Hardy is newly ordained, having worked in Staffordshire for Youth for Christ for 10 years before moving to Worcestershire to study theology and church leadership at Regents Theological College, while serving at All Saints Worcester. She has spent the last two years of further study and formation at St Mellitus College, London, while continuing to serve at All Saints.

She joins Nigel Byard as team rector, Rev Bev Jameson as team vicar and Rita Holden and associate priest and is looking forward to working in the area.

The Rev Hardy said: “I have just moved to the town and am starting to find my way around and having just got ordained at the weekend am getting used to wearing a dog collar. I’m looking forward to serving and getting to know the local community and getting stuck in with life here.”

With her arrival the church is also planning a Messy Church event on September 19, and the launch of an Alpha Course, from September 17.