ONE of the region’s great stately homes is about to welcome its first ever female chaplain.
The Reverend Anne Freestone will take over the post at Castle Howard near Malton in North Yorkshire when she is officially appointed later this month.
A teacher, she joins Castle Howard from Darlington Education Village where she taught children with special needs.
She said she was delighted with her new role, which will include leading services in Castle Howard's chapel and welcoming thousands of people who visit the house each year.
She added: "I am eager to embrace this fantastic opportunity to serve a unique community and hope to bring together the local villages, parishes and people as we look to the future."
She has been an officiating chaplain for the military supporting four different regiments since 2010, and will continue to work with the armed forces alongside her new role.
Anne will be officially welcomed by the Bishop of Selby, the Right Reverend Dr John Thomson, in the chapel of Castle Howard on Monday, February 23, at 7.30pm.
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