New Vicar rings in the changes.

New vicar the Rev Adam Reed is welcomed to Emmanuel church, Saltburn, by parish
 secretary Christine Pollard. The hall, which is to be renovated this summer, is to the
left with the church in the background.

Unusually, the bell at Saltburn's Emmanuel church tolled half-a-dozen times on Sunday evening June 5th.

Ringing it was the newly-installed vicar, the Rev Adam Reed, showing that officially his work had started in the parish.

Earlier in a 75-minute service he had received a warm round of applause from the 300-strong congregation for a welcome given by the Bishop of Whitby, the Rt. Rev. Martin Warner.

Also welcoming Mr Reed were civic guests, including the new Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Councillor Olwyn Peters, and chairman of Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council Councillor Vera Rider. Councillor Joan Guy spoke on behalf of MP Tom Blenkinsop, who was unable to attend.

Local clergy of other denominations spoke of them all "working and worshipping together happily."

Bishop Warner thanked Emmanuel parishioners, including three retired clergymen, who had run the parish in the year since the departure of previous vicar, the Rev Guy Donegan-Cross, to a parish in Harrogate.

He said he saw signs of many people rediscovering their belief in God.

Mr Reed, 37, thanked Saltburn people for giving him and his family "time and space" in the last few weeks for them to settle in following their arrival from a parish near Pickering. He particulalry thanked those who had sent them cards and cake.

After the service people enjoyed a buffet prepared by parishioners, in the hall, the renovation of which is due to start this summer.

Mike Morrisey