The next Bishop of Basingstoke has been announced by Downing Street this week.
The Venerable Peter Hancock, currently Archdeacon of the Meon in the Diocese of Portsmouth, will be consecrated at St Paul’s Cathedral on September 21. The Right Reverent Trevor Wilmott bid farewell to the town earlier this year to move to Kent and his successor has spoken of his pride at taking on the role.
He said: “When I was ordained 30 years ago, I never imagined that I would end up as a bishop, so it is a real privilege to have this opportunity.”
Born in Kent, he moved with his family to Buckinghamshire and then to the Isle of Wight, where he went to a church school until the age of 11. The Venerable Peter Hancock attended secondary school in Fareham before going to Camrbidge University – he was ordained at Portsmouth Cathedral aged 25. He then returned to Fareham 33 years later when he became Archdeacon of the Meon.
This week, the next Bishop made a tour of the northern archdeaconry, including stops at St Michael’s Church in Basingstoke, to visit various members of the community.
He continued: “My wife Jane and I are very excited by all that lies ahead and look forward to moving to Alresford and working with and serving alongside the parishes and people of the Diocese of Winchester.
The Venerable Peter Hancock will bid a formal farewell to Portsmouth Diocese at Portsmouth Cathedral on September 5 and will then be welcomed into the Diocese of Winchester at Winchester Cathedral on October 2.
