CHANGE will be happening at Durham Cathedral in the coming weeks, with the cathedral community welcoming as well as saying goodbye to some colleagues from its governing body.

The cathedral has announced the appointment of The Venerable Michael Everitt as a Residentiary Canon and Canon Pastor at Durham Cathedral, sitting on the cathedral Chapter.

As Canon Pastor, he will care for and look to grow the worshipping congregation, oversee the work of its education and library and collections teams, as well as head up the cathedral’s student ministry with both higher education and further education institutions.

The Canon Pastor will also broaden how the cathedral works with local communities including those of other faiths and cultures.

The Ven Everitt is currently a priest in the Diocese of Blackburn, serving as Archdeacon of Lancaster and an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral.

For the last two years he has been interim Vicar of Preston, specifically to facilitate the transition of the Parish of Preston - consisting of Preston Minster and St George’s Church - to become ‘Preston Resourcing Parish’, working alongside Holy Trinity Brompton in London.

A graduate of Kings College London, Michael trained for ministry at Queen’s College, Birmingham and the English College in Rome. He then served as a curate in Cleveleys, near Blackpool, ahead of a three-year secondment to Bloemfontein Cathedral, working in cross-community areas in post-apartheid South Africa. At this time he was the first non-Dutch reformed lecturer in theology at the University of the Orange Free State.

Ven Everitt said: “I am humbled and excited to be appointed to the Chapter at Durham Cathedral.

“The powerful pull of St Cuthbert, the Venerable Bede and the northern saints has always been strong in my life.

“This, combined with my wife’s maternal family being from County Durham gives a strong sense of coming home.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham, said: “We look forward to welcoming Michael and his family to Durham. Michael brings a wealth of experience, in particular his college chaplaincy roles, Chair of the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education and Chair of Blackburn’s Multi-Academy Trust, with the latter role involving work with church schools, secondary schools and further and higher education institutions. This experience will be key as Durham Cathedral looks to extend its mission and ministry of welcome to children, young people and students across the Diocese of Durham and North East region. “

The cathedral has also announced that Ivor Stolliday, Lay Canon and Chapter Member is stepping down, his term having come to an end.

Dean Tremlett said: “It is with sadness that we say adieu to Canon Ivor Stolliday.

“Ivor has served as a lay member of Chapter at the cathedral for the last six years, including being chairman of our resources committee.

“His expertise in the world of finance, cultural leadership and tourism has been of huge benefit to the cathedral.

“We wish him well, with the cathedral continuing to gain from his knowledge as we work closely with Visit County Durham, the tourism body for County Durham, of which Ivor is chair.”