Former pig farmer appointed as new Alderney vicar

The church of St Anne in Alderney where Reverend Samantha Martell will take up her new role

A former pig farmer who owned her own meat business has been appointment as the new vicar of Alderney.

Reverend Samantha Martell is currently serving in the Diocese of Portsmouth and is due to take up her role in Alderney in September.

Before becoming a priest in 2018, she owned a company farming rare breed pigs in West Sussex.

Since May 2023 the island has been served by a series of locum priests after the last vicar retired to England.

Dean of Guernsey, The Very Reverend Tim Barker, said he was "delighted" that his excellency the lieutenant-governor, acting on behalf of His Majesty The King, had accepted his nomination.

Reverend Samantha Martell is moving to Alderney in September

He said: "Samantha and her family will move to Alderney during the first fortnight of September 2024.

"Her public ministry will begin with the service of institution and induction on the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September."

Mrs Martell studied history at Girton College at the University of Cambridge.

She is an Anna Chaplain, which allows her to offer a specialised ministry to older people.

Mrs Martell is currently serving as team vicar in the parish of Bridgemary, Elson and Rowner, serving the churches of St Matthew Bridgemary and St Thomas the Apostle Elson, in the Diocese of Portsmouth.