FATHER Shaun Conlon, the new priest-in-charge at St Martin’s church, Ashton-on-Mersey, has moved into the Glebelands Road rectory with two other persons.

The first is his civil partner of two years, Daniel Enifer.

The second is a bear called Bertie.

Bertie comes from his former Parish, St Mary, the Virgin, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea.

When he left, one of the children wrote how they liked Bertie ‘because he whispers to you and you tell him he has been naughty'.

At that point Bertie interjects: “Have you seen tall, handsome Father Conlon?” A joke, of course!

Father Shaun said: “I enjoy working with children and young people.”

He hopes to increase Sunday School membership by keeping in touch with families after baptism.

Apart from one year out, Father Shaun, 45, has been a priest since leaving Birmingham University.

He trained at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. St Martin’s will be his fifth parish.

His previous parish was invaded by anti-capitalists who camped out in the churchyard near a place where ashes were interred.

This was a similar situation to the sleep-in at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Father Shaun said: “When a family turned up at the site of their loved one’s ashes, they were angry.

“Although it was sorted, it was a taxing experience and had little to do with priestly ministry.

“I moved because I wanted to be more than an administrator.

“The best thing about the Anglican church is that you are in touch with the community whether it believers or not,” he said.

“People often misunderstand Christianity. You have to explain what the church really does.”

As well as a children’s bible, this lively priest has at least five Daleks in his lounge.

Since childhood he has been a great Dr Who fan.

Church wardens Margaret Holt and Audrey Black welcome him and thank Canon John Sutton for filling the gap before Father Conlon arrived.