On the day when H.M. The Queen named the next Bishop of Hereford [Tuesday 13th January at 11 am] a Press Conference at The Palace, Hereford saw him being met by Rural Deans and the Lay Chairs of the Hereford Deanery Synods as well as members of the Cathedral Staff and Bishop's Staff.

He also met Nick Read, Agricultural Chaplain for the Diocese of Hereford and together they launched the latest report based on the 3rd National Rural Conference held at The Palace and initiated by the former Bishop of Hereford, John Oliver*, who retired at the end of November 2003

Following the Press Conference he traveled to Ludlow to meet senior Clergy and Lay leaders from the north of the Diocese.

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The Bishop is married to Kathy, a professional artist, specialising in portraits and Christian figurative painting. They have 3 children, Michael (28) who is in Sydney, Australia, James (26) who lives in Maidenhead and Sarah who is 22 and works in PR.

Bishop Anthony enjoys sport, particularly golf (handicap 22!) and England winning the Rugby World Cup. He has yet to experience a match at Edgar Street!

"I am really looking forward to moving to Hereford and staying within the West Midlands," he said.
"It‘s the heart of the countryside, a rural landscape the Church already serves well. Kathy and I are greatly looking forward to exploring the Diocese and learning more about it.

 

* Retiring Bishop Michael Hooper is still recuperating following surgery just before Christmas.

While not expected to take up his post until later this year, Bishop Anthony immediately launched the report "Farming and The Catering Trade", the result of a Conference held by the former Bishop.
The new Bishop is keen to identify himself with the needs of the countryside, a situation that is not alien to him. Nick Read, who produced the report following the conference in July last year, is delighted to have the new Bishop immediately supporting this work.

"I am well aware of the key role played by the church in Hereford diocese in leading the way on a number of rural issues," said Bishop Priddis, "support for farmers and all aspects of rural life is vital, not just for rural England, but for the sake of the whole country."
"I greatly welcome this new Report on 'Farming and the Catering Trade'.  I am sure that it will make a significant contribution to finding the best ways to promote local sourcing of produce, which is so much needed."
"The report highlights a number of issues which have not gone away because Bishop John Oliver* has retired," he said,
"We are a very rural diocese serving the people in the countryside in Herefordshire and South Shropshire and it is good to know that our next leader will continue to speak for the rural areas."