THE ARCHDEACON of Richmond has been appointed to one of the church’s most senior roles in Wales.

The Venerable Janet Henderson is to become the new Dean of Llandaff – the first woman to hold the office.

She has been Archdeacon of Richmond for five years, with responsibility for the northern half of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. For four years she also served as a residentiary canon of Ripon Cathedral.

Archdeacon Henderson grew up in Wales and after working as a nurse was ordained into the church 20 years ago.

She will start her new role in March, following her installation at the 1,500-year-old Llandaff Cathedral, which stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain.

The religious leader, who is married to an IT specialist with IBM, said she would miss the people of North Yorkshire.

“It will be a wrench to leave Yorkshire, especially at this time of transition with the proposals for the new Diocese of West Yorkshire and the dales yet to be voted on,” she said.

“This is a truly wonderful part of the world and I have grown to love the dales, the moors, the towns, the Vale of York, the parts of County Durham I have covered and the people who are so kind and neighbourly.

“Many of our churches here are lively and forward-looking and they make a big difference, punching above their weight in numbers in their communities.”