Beccles Reverend honoured

THE Vicar of Beccles, the Reverend John Beauchamp, was installed as an honorary Reverend Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral at a ceremony at Bury St Edmunds on Sunday.

THE Vicar of Beccles, the Reverend John Beauchamp, was installed as an honorary Reverend Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral at a ceremony at Bury St Edmunds on Sunday.

The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Right Reverend Nigel Stock. Some 50 members of his congregations at St Michael's and St Luke's churches at Beccles travelled by coach and cars to support Mr Beauchamp and his wife Natalie.

The Bishop thanked the large cathedral congregation for coming to support the new Honorary Canons at their installation, and shared with them that so many people involved in church life across Suffolk were deserving of accolades, and that his choice of appointing just two priests including the Vicar of Beccles, and three lay people as Honorary Canons had been challenging, but that it was right that those chosen both lay and clergy should be so honoured.

In his address Bishop Nigel spoke of the impact Mr Beauchamp's leadership and ministry in Beccles over the last 10 years, had had at all levels at both St Michael's and St Luke's Churches, and the huge support his work in the community had engendered. Bishop Nigel said of his recent visit to Beccles, that it had been a joy not only to meet the church members, but at St Luke's Church Rigbourne Hill Community Centre to witness young people from the local community enjoying themselves in their Community Centre activities.

Bishop Nigel paid special tribute to the spouses of those he had honoured, recognising the lifelong contribution of support they gave. Clearly; particularly so in the case of Mrs Natalie Beauchamp.

At the service, Canon Beauchamp was formerly installed in his stall in the choir by the Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Reverend Neil Collings. After the Cathedral service the congregation were invited to a finger buffet tea.