RHOS-on-Sea has a new priest.

Sunday, November 1 will mark a new chapter in the ministry of Canon Philip Barratt.

The 58-year-old, who is married to Irene and has daughter Sarah, has moved from the diocese of Bangor to take up his post of vicar of Rhos-on-Sea in Aled Mission Area.

Mr Barratt will be based in the churches of St Trillo and St George, as well as the beautiful pilgrims’ chapel on the sea front.

Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, will conduct a short service to welcome Mr Barratt to his role, which will be held online due to the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Bishop Gregory said: "We welcome Philip and Irene to the Diocese of St Asaph.

"Philip brings a broad range of experiences from parish and cathedral ministry and we look forward to him sharing his gifts in Aled Mission Area and working collaboratively with his lay and ordained colleagues there."

Mr Barratt was born in Manchester where he lived and worked most of his life.

Before ordination in 1992 he was a professional musician working mostly in the theatre world.

Mr Barratt served in parish ministry for 20 years before becoming Canon Precentor and latterly Sub Dean of Manchester Cathedral. He moved to Wales in 2017 and comes to Rhos-on-Sea from Anglesey where he has been Ministry Area Leader for the nine churches of the Bro Cwyfan Ministry Area.

"I am delighted to be moving to the Aled Mission Area and the churches of Rhos-on-Sea," said Mr Barratt.

"I look forward joining the ministry team in Aled Mission Area at a time of many exciting possibilities.

"Irene and I are really looking forward to our new home and becoming part of the family of churches."

Mr Barratt has a love for monastic spirituality and is a solemnly professed member of the Anglican Order of Cistercians. He is interested in the history of the Christian faith in Rhos-on-Sea, seeing its roots are very much linked with the witness of Cistercian monks.

His wife is a retired junior school headteacher and daughter Sarah lives and works in South Africa on a wildlife reserve near the Kruger National Park.

Mr Barratt's interests include playing music, cooking, walking with Irene, and volunteering for the RNLI.