THERE is a new vicar in the pulpit in Bowdon.

The Reverend Ian Rumsey has taken over as vicar of St Mary’s, Bowdon and St. Luke’s, Bowdon Vale.

He believes people are the most important aspect of his work whether it was relating to them in a Lake District group of churches as a curate or as a joint vicar, comforting farmers in Cockermouth during the foot and mouth crisis.

“It was heartbreaking to see them in tears,” said Ian.

He was the vicar of Hurdsfield, near Macclesfield from 2004-12.

Unlike Bowdon, where most, but not all, of his worshippers are owner occupiers, Hurdsfield was a large council estate.

“I am most proud of helping the school. We felt it was something the church could give to the local community.”

Church members read to the children and the school is still thriving.

He wouldn’t have known about Bowdon parish church had he not become parish development officer in the Macclesfield Group of Churches.

He made new contacts and even addressed Bowdon’s AGM last year.

“I am impressed with the new ideas St Mary’s and St Luke’s are introducing. We do a choir-led service in the main church while, at the same time, a more informal service takes place in the parish centre.

“There were 50 people at my first service at St. Luke’s and half of them were under 16,” he said.

On leaving Durham University where he met his wife, Colleen, Ian became a seismologist for an oil and gas exploration company.

Exploring rocks under the sea and climbing mountains for pleasure underlined his awareness of God’s creations.

“God nagged me to join His Church,” he said. He was ordained at the age of 32.

Colleen, will continue as a teaching assistant in Little Bollington and sons, Callum and Dominic, both in their 20s, also work locally.