IMMEDIATELY after his consecration at Westminster Abbey, the new Bishop of Plymouth embarked on a sixday prayer pilgrimage through south Devon from Exeter to Plymouth.

The Rt Rev James Grier, 48, was consecrated as a bishop at the London abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury on 29 September.

He spent his first week in his new role walking through the Devon countryside stopping at churches and schools in some of the areas under his care (known as the See of Plymouth).

Before setting off he said: ‘I’m going on a pilgrimage at the very beginning of being a bishop because I wanted to force myself to slow down and pray for this amazing area of Devon.

‘I want to pray for its people, its churches, its communities.

‘Most importantly, with the prayer, I want to talk to people wherever I go, to hear their God stories, or to hear their struggles and challenges.

‘I want to hear their vision for their places and pray with them and for them for their communities.’

On his Going in Prayer pilgrimage he visited Chudleigh, where he enjoyed a harvest supper at the parish church; Heathfield Primary School, where he had a chicken korma school lunch and a Q&A with pupils; and Bickington, where he was treated to a cream tea in St Mary’s church and blessed the congregation.

The following day Bishop James walked from Ashburton to Buckfastleigh for a prayer time at St Luke’s church before boarding the South Devon steam railway to Totnes.

James said he was honoured to be allowed to travel alongside the engine driver. He then went on to Harberton and Avonwick before stopping for the night in South Brent and further into the South Hams. On the final day of the walk he crossed the River Yealm by boat, finishing his pilgrimage at St Andrew’s church in Plymouth.