A NEW vicar has been provisionally appointed to a historic city parish.

Pending routine checks, the Rev Peter Dockree is set to take up the post of vicar of Swaythling following his induction at St Alban’s Church on Sunday, August 31, at 4.30pm.

He leaves behind the parish of Wolverton in Milton Keynes and follows the departure of the Rev Canon Gary Philbrick last July after 13 years in Swaythling.

Mr Philbrick left to become the priest in charge of the Benefice of the Avon Valley Partnership and Area Dean of Christchurch.

Since his departure, the Rev Sheena Williams has been filling in.