THE Bishop has appointed the Reverend Doctor Joe Heaton as priest-in-charge of the Parish of Rushen. He will be licensed to the parish in the autumn.

Dr Heaton grew up in Pudsey, West Yorkshire and went on to study a degree in Physics with Planetary and Space Physics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1988. 

He then researched a novel technique for imaging the sun’s interaction with the upper atmosphere and was awarded a Ph.D at the same University. He later worked at QinetiQ in Malvern where he undertook research and analysis into the effects of propagation upon a variety of radio systems. 

Joe Heaton spent two years training at Cranmer Hall in Durham and was then ordained deacon at Worcester Cathedral in 2008, and ordained priest the following year. 

For the last three years he has served as assistant curate in the Parish of Ribbesford with Bewdley and Dowles – a Georgian town on the River Severn.

He is married to Wendy and they have three sons: Joshua, Daniel and Isaac. His interests include hill walking and astronomy.