THE Rector of Hexham, Canon Dr Dagmar Winter, will leave the post in the summer to become the next Bishop of Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire.

Downing Street announced on Tuesday afternoon that Dagmar, who has served as the rector of Hexham since 2015, will take up the post which is in the Diocese of Ely, in July.  She will  be consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, on Wednesday, July 3.

Dagmar has served in the Diocese of Newcastle since 1999, initially as Associate Vicar and Deanery Training Officer in Hexham. From 2006, she was Rural Affairs Officer for the Diocese as well as Priest-in-Charge of Kirkwhelpington with Kirkharle, Kirkheaton and Cambo, and for a while Area Dean of Morpeth. She returned to Hexham in 2015.

The Bishop of Huntingdon is a Suffragan Bishop and Dagmar will work alongside the Bishop of Ely across the whole diocese which comprises Cambridgeshire, the western quarter of Norfolk, and some adjacent parishes.

Dagmar said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been invited to become the seventh Bishop of Huntingdon. I look forward to a host of new experiences: the fens will be quite different to the Northumberland uplands.

"I have loved living and working in Newcastle Diocese for almost 20 years and saying goodbye is not going to be easy.

“There is a remarkable connection between Hexham and Ely: Etheldreda gave the land for the building of Hexham Abbey and in Ely she founded a monastery on the site which is now Ely Cathedral.

"I believe this legacy of generosity and prayerful commitment is rooted in the life-affirming, encouraging and inspiring love of God which we see in Jesus Christ, and I look forward to working with Bishop Stephen and many others to share this in the Diocese of Ely.”

The Bishop of Newcastle, The Right Rev. Christine Hardman, said: “I am delighted that the Church has discerned God’s call on Dagmar to be the next Bishop of Huntingdon, and I know that she will be a blessing to the Diocese of Ely.

"Dagmar has made a very significant contribution to the life of Newcastle Diocese for many years. Her ministry here has been hugely valued and she will be greatly missed. Dagmar will move to Ely Diocese with our love and we will be holding her in our prayers as she prepares for her consecration.”