THE former vicar of Abergavenny, Rev Canon Jeremy Winston has been installed as the new Dean of Newport Cathedral.

Father Jeremy's new role will see him serve as Dean of Monmouthshire and vicar of St Woolos.

A large percentage of Father Jeremy's former congregation at St Mary's Church wanted to attend the induction on Saturday afternoon but with the capacity of St Woolos being reduced because of renovation work the service was streamed live to a second congregation in St Mary's Priory Centre in Abergavenny, where Fr Jeremy has been vicar for the last eighteen years.

This facility was a first for the Monmouth Diocese as the celebration itself focussed on the role of the Cathedral as a centre for learning and hospitality for both the church and the wider community.

The Priory centre was laid out as if it were a church and the Abergavenny congregation had the same service sheet as those in the Newport cathedral and followed events as they unfolded.

During the event, Mayor of Newport Margaret Cornelious presented the new Dean with a facsimile of the city charter.

He was also given a scroll of welcome by a representative of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport, and a copy of the Gospels from the diocese's learning development adviser.

Father Jeremy had been appointed as Canon in 2002 and served as Area Dean of Abergavenny and even wrote a number of new verses for old hymns as part of the occasion's specially commissioned music that was heard for the first time.

For the Abergavenny audience only, Father Jeremy gave a short address to the 70 strong congregation at St Mary's Centre in which he thanked them for supporting him over the past 18 years and that he will remember his time at St Mary's and everybody connected with the church with affection.

• With Father Jeremy safely ensconced in Newport Rev'd David Osborn was installed as Area Dean of Abergavenny at a service at Llantilio Crossenny on Monday, September 12 (pictured below).

The Bishop of Monmouth conducted the service which was attended by people from throughout the deanery - which stretches from Grosmont to Govilon and Llanddewi Rhydderch to Skenfrith .