THE new Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, has welcomed six new parishes, and their church wardens, to his Lancashire diocese.

He was taking charge of the annual ‘visitations’ across the region as part of his settling in process after taking up his post as head of the Church of England in the county in October.

In most years, Archdeacons carry out the visitations admitting church wardens to office. From time to time, a Bishop will personally carry out ‘primary visitations’.

Last week, he was at Blackburn Cathedral for the deaneries of Accrington, Blackburn with Darwen, and Whalley.

The Bishop welcomed the new parishes of Hurst Green, Mitton, Waddington, Grindleton, Bolton by Bowland, and Gisburn, and admitted their church wardens.

Two days later he was at Chorley’s St George’s Church, and tomorrow he will be at Burnley St Peter’s with the church wardens of the Burnley and Pendle Deaneries.