New Bishop of Plymouth enters city on landing craft

Surfer and DIY fan the Right Reverend James Grier, 47, has been appointed as the new Bishop of Plymouth.

The married father-of-two, who was born and brought up in Plymouth, arrived in Stonehouse on his first day on a Royal Marines landing craft.

Bishop Grier, who takes over from the Right Reverend Nick McKinnel, said he "cannot think of a greater privilege than to become Bishop of Plymouth".

In the city he met schoolchildren and visited a food bank.

He later visited Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh where a goat was named James in his honour.

"I cannot think of a greater privilege than to become the Bishop of Plymouth," he said.

"For so many Plymothians, Plymouth always holds a very special place in our hearts which you never lose, wherever you live.

"I can't quite believe that I will be returning home to Plymouth as bishop."

He studied Theology at Oxford University before becoming ordained in 1998 and was a curate in Oxford, before moving to Birmingham to work as an associate vicar.

He returned to Devon in 2007 to become team vicar of a group of rural churches in East Devon, alongside being Youth Church Advisor for the Diocese.

In that role Bishop Grier, along with his wife Liz, set-up Unlimited Church in Exeter.

He lists surfing in Cornwall and DIY among his interests outside work.

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