Vicar on the move

The Rev David King and his family are preparing to move to St Andrew's at Eastbourne.

Their move follows the death in office of the Vicar of St Andrew's, a parish of about the same size but with a difficult social mix to the Bexhill parish, which is part of a team ministry..

Mr King said this week that he would be sorry to leave St Michael's but was looking forward to the fresh challenge.

The family will not know for some time when they will be moving but it is expected to be before Christmas.

Mr King said: "St Andrew's is about the size of St Michael's. But it is a church on its own rather than a team situation so it is a step on.

"It is at Seaside at Eastbourne, just down from Lottbridge Drove. It is an area of mixed industrial estate and housing."

Mr King has been at St Michael's for six and a half years, arriving in June 2002 and being licensed the following June. Asked what he thought his achievements had been during that time he said: "We have recently just re-arranged the west end of the church and created a better welcoming space and a multi-use worship area at the back of the church.

"We are waiting now for it to be painted but the plaster has to dry first.

"I have particularly enjoyed the links with local schools, particularly with Pebsham Community Primary School and with the uniformed organisations.

"Being part of the governing body of St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School as it has come out of special measures and done so well has been a great privilege."

The family move comes at a time when David and his wife Hilary are seeing their young family progress through their education.

The elder son, Benjamin, will remain at Bexhill College. Their younger son, Joshua, will remain at St Richard's Catholic College.

But their daughters Naomi and Phoebe will be going to school in Eastbourne.