First female Archdeacon of Wiltshire appointed

The first female Archdeacon of Wiltshire was appointed at a ceremony at St John’s in Devizes on 28th January. The Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam led the service.

Previously, the Revd Ruth Worsley held the post of Parish Development Officer for the Diocese of Southwark and she was also chaplain to HM The Queen. Ordained into the Diocese of Southwell, she is pleased to be heading to Wiltshire and said: “I’m delighted to be moving to the wilds of Wiltshire from balmy Bermondsey. I’m looking forward to working with a great bunch of people who are seeking to discover more of God.”

The Archdeacon will be responsible to the bishop for the life and work of the parishes in the deaneries which make up her archdeaconry and will also have additional diocesan wide responsibilities.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Ruth to take up the particular responsibilities associated with being Archdeacon of Wiltshire,” said Bishop Holtam.

She will take up her post in February.