Bishop to lead pub service

The Bishop of Huntingdon is to preach in a village pub next month to mark the success of a scheme to take religion to the people.

The Right Reverend John Inge will swap the surroundings of the Ely Cathedral for the Royal Oak at Barrington near Cambridge.

He will help conduct a service at the pub on Monday, 1 December to celebrate five years of worship at the Royal Oak.

Local vicar Rev Neil Brice, who invited the bishop to preach, has been holding services in the pub since 1998.

Big success

He hit on the idea of using the village pub as a venue when thinking of new ways to reach out to his congregation.

"We meet in the pub on the first Monday morning of every month for a service and we regularly attract between ten and 20 people," said Mr Brice.

"I really just wanted to offer an alternative which might suit some people better and it's proved a big success."

He added: "I'm delighted that Bishop John has agreed to help us celebrate.

"I can't imagine many bishops will have preached in a pub before - if any."