A NEW priest has been welcomed to Penarth as works gathers pace on the creation of a new ministry area for the town.

Mark Jones was licensed as priest-in-charge of the parish of Penarth with Llandough by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan at a special service at St Augustine’s Church, Penarth.

Mr Jones has moved to Wales from Wiltshire with his wife Kathy and their ten-year-old daughter Sophie.

Originally from North Wales, he joins the Llandaff Diocese from the Diocese of Salisbury.

The Archbishop said: “It was a pleasure to license Mark to Penarth at an exciting time in the history of the town when the two parishes are working together to form a ministry area.

'He has returned home to his native Wales and understands both its language and distinctive culture.”

Mr Jones was also licensed as associate priest in the parish of All Saints, Penarth, which will enable him to get to know people in that parish before the formal creation of the ministry area for Penarth.

Mr Jones is delighted to be back living not only in Wales but by the seaside.

He said: “It’s great to be back by the sea and able to go for a walk along a pier again. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone and being part of the community in Penarth and Llandough.

'There are huge benefits to be gained from working towards the creation of a ministry area - not least the sharing of ideas between parishes and clergy.”

After university, Mr Jones worked as a teacher for many years before deciding to seek selection for ordination.

During his time as a priest he was heavily involved in work with the local schools and co-ordinated children’s work and Messy Church.

One particularly popular venture was the staging of Pilgrimage Days.

He added: “These Pilgrimage Days were great at getting children used to being in church and were a good way to involve the local community as they needed quite a number of lay people to help stage the activities.”

One of his stranger roles involved working with the military in his post at Edington Priory in Wiltshire because one of the churches in the area had access roads crossing the Salisbury Plain military training area.

In his spare time, both Mr Jones and his wife enjoy walking. He also enjoys cycling, nature and watching Wales play rugby.