CHESTER Cathedral have this week announced the appointment of a new vice-dean and canon residentiary.

The Rev Canon Peter Howell-Jones, current Assistant Dean of Birmingham Cathedral, will join the Cathedral next year in the place of former vice-dean and Canon Chancellor the Rev Canon Dr Canon Trevor Dennis who retired in July after 16 years.

Canon Howell-Jones, who is married with four children, originally trained as a musician and taught music before being ordained in Lichfield Cathedral in 1993.

He previously served in two large parishes in the West Midlands before becoming Director of Mission and Evangelism for the Diocese of Birmingham.

Canon Howell-Jones said: “It is a great privilege to have been called to serve as part of the Cathedral team and I look forward to playing my part in helping the Cathedral to connect further with the City and the wider Diocese.”

Dean of Chester, the Very Revd. Professor Gordon McPhate said: “ Peter brings a wealth of experience in the running of another cathedral and a specialism in Christian mission which he exercised in the Diocese of Birmingham.”