Chaplain gets back to nature

By Tim Dale BBC York & North Yorkshire

Canon Morley offers a warm welcome to morning prayers at the show

People in the rural community have a keen sense that something greater is guiding the world. Faith is one thing they rely on to ensure that livestock thrive and crops grow. So it's not surprising that the Yorkshire Agricultural Society have a chaplain.

The former chaplain, the Reverend Toddy Hoare, had a long relationship with the society and Great Yorkshire Show. He began as a horse steward quarter of a century ago. However the Reverend Hoare stepped down this year following his retirement and move to Oxfordshire.

In his place, the society have appointed the Reverend Canon Leslie Morley. Canon Morley is perhaps an ideal choice as Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society explains, "We've known Leslie for a number of years, not least through his involvement with Farm Crisis Network and the Yorkshire Rural Support Network.

This is a year round post, and so I will be a frequent visitor to the Society's offices to be available to the staff Canon Leslie Morley

"He manages to combine a great sense of humour with a genuine concern for farmers, and a practical hands-on approach to making things happen! I know he will be an excellent support for staff and an excellent ambassador for the society in its work supporting the rural community."

Canon Morley has many roles within the rural community, for the last decade he has been the Rural Officer for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, which involves advising the Bishops and the Diocese on matters of concern to the farming and rural communities and supporting rural clergy and congregations.

He was delighted to take on the role and had no hesitation in accepting the job, "I'm very much looking forward to the Great Yorkshire Show, and I extend a warm welcome to Morning Prayers, each day at the President's Lawn Band Stand at 7.30."

He is also the Deputy Chairman of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Chaplain to the Yorkshire branch of Farm Crisis Network and a member of the Church on Show committee for the Great Yorkshire Show.

His continued commitment to the rural community means that he's happy to be a very hands-on chaplain, "I'm very conscious that this is a year round post, and so will be a frequent visitor to the society's offices to be available to the staff. I am also getting involved in activities around the region on the society's behalf."