Eight new Cathedral Canons have been collated and installed by the Bishop of St Asaph during a special service of Evensong at St Asaph Cathedral yesterday (Sunday 25 January, 2026). The new Canons are:

• Paul Mealor: Canon for the Arts and Culture and a member of the Cathedral Chapter. Paul is a former chorister at St Asaph Cathedral and is now the Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival which is based at the Cathedral. He is also a well-known composer, who is making a significant contribution to church music.
• Mike Haslam: Canon Chancellor, and a member of Chapter. The post of Chancellor in St Asaph is usually held by a priest holding a diocesan ministry of education, and Mike, as our Director of Transforming Ministry, fulfils that brief.
• Martin Batchelor: Canon Missioner and a member of Chapter. Martin is one of the most experienced priests in the diocese and has successfully led the Mission Hub Church in Mold.
• Paul Whittaker: Canon Treasurer and a member of Chapter. Paul is a significant lay leader in the diocese, and his financial expertise will be of enormous value in the governance of the Cathedral.
• Richard Hainsworth: Cursal Canonry of Randulph de Birkened in recognition of his long service to this diocese, and his distinguished ministry in Flint.
• Andrea Russell: Cursal Canonry of Adam Beckinsell in recognition of her work as Warden of Gladstone’s Library, and the contribution she is making to diocesan life.
• Revd Canon Paul Wright installed as an Honorary Canon. He is Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal having had a notable career in the Armed Forces. He has strong family connections with the Mold area.
• Sally Harper installed as an honorary Canon. Sally has been leading the work of the Diocesan Spirituality Group over recent years. She will continue as Director of Spirituality, as well as contributing ministry to the Denbigh Mission Area.

You can see a gallery of photographs from the service below.