ONE of York’s best-known churchmen has been consecrated as the new Bishop of Beverley.

An estimated 1,200 people attended the service yesterday to see the Rev Canon Glyn Webster become Bishop of Beverley after leaving his role as Canon Chancellor of York Minster.

The Minster service was led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who annointed Canon Webster as a bishop.

Canon Webster said after the service: “It’s a very powerful day. It’s an awesome day as I think about my future ministry and leaving the cathedral. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big step.”

Among those to attend the service were 48 bishops, the former Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, the Dean and Chapter of York Minster and the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman.

Canon Webster, who will succeed the Right Reverend Martyn Jarrett, worked as a nurse at the Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, before training for the ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

After 11 years as vicar of St Luke’s, York, and part-time senior chaplain of York District Hospital, he became the full-time chaplain there.

He was appointed as Canon Treasurer of York Minster in 2000, has been Canon Chancellor since 2003 and most recently Acting Dean of York Minster.

He has served on the General Synod since 1995, is a member of the Crown Nominations Commission, serves on the Archbishops’ Council and is also chaplain to the Queen.

Among those to carry out readings at the Minster yesterday was the new Dean of the Minster, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull.

At the end of the service members of the congregation met the newly-consecrated Bishop at the West Door of the cathedral.