The new rector of Beaulieu has been officially welcomed into her role.

The Rev Catherine Cowie was instituted by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Philip Mountstephen, on September 25.

Churchwarden Peter Melhuish handed the keys to the ancient Abbey Church to her in front of a packed congregation.

Rev Cowie also takes responsibility for the churches at Exbury and East Boldre, and the chapel at Buckler’s Hard, all of which are part of the current wider Beaulieu benefice.

Eventually, all the churches are expected to form a single parish of Beaulieu.

Her congregation included parishioners from all three churches, local dignitaries, and a large group from her previous multi-parish benefice in the north Cotswolds.

Rev Cowie, the church’s 51st incumbent in its 495-year history, will move into the rectory with her husband and two young children.

She is set to conduct her first services on Sunday, September 29.