A new priest for the communities of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanllugan, and the Banwy valley will be welcomed on Sunday (7 December).

The Revd Nicolas Bee will be licensed to the Caereinion Mission Area in a special service led by the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, at St Mary’s Church in Llanfair Caereinion at 3.30pm.

Nick was born and brought up in Canterbury before moving to Wales where he has been living permanently since 1994.

After initially teaching History, Latin, and subsequently Welsh, Nick took up ministry with the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 2003, before returning to his Anglican roots in January 2021 when he transferred to the Church in Wales to serve in the Diocese of St Davids. He was a curate in Borth, before moving to Lampeter Local Ministry Area to serve as priest-in-charge for the Tregaron group of churches.

Bishop Gregory said: “It is good to be able to welcome Nicholas to St Asaph from the Diocese of St Davids. Nicholas brings a wealth of experience in ministry in both the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches, and I am sure that he will quickly make a home among us in Caereinion.”

In his spare time, Nick’s interests include cricket, heritage railways, cycling, and the Classics. Commenting on his move to Powys, Nick said: “I look forward immensely to joining the Caereinion Mission Area which will provide a wonderful opportunity to minister in an area of outstanding natural beauty. I have a pastoral heart and look forward to getting to know the congregations who work tirelessly in their respective churches. It will be a privilege to work with the Mission Area team as we engage with people, share our faith, and try to demonstrate God’s love in the years ahead.”

Caereinion Mission Area is one of the 20 Mission Areas in the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses making up the Church in Wales.

The licensing of Nicholas takes place on Sunday 7 December at 3.30pm at St Mary’s Church in Llanfair Caereinion.