A rector has been appointed for a new group of parishes covering the Otmoor region of Oxfordshire.

The Rev Mary CarneyThe Rev Mary Carney, 59, will be inducted into the Ray Valley group at Islip on Thursday by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher.

She will cover the parishes of Islip, Noke, Woodeaton, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oddington, Ambrosden, Merton, Piddington, Blackthorn, Fencott and Murcott.

Mrs Carney, right, said: "It will be a challenge as it is a large area with villages with different characteristics. There is Ambrosden with the Army families, in the middle there is agriculture around Charlton and Merton, while many professionals working in Oxford live in and around Islip."

Before becoming rector of the new group she was an assistant minister at Harwell and Chilton, with special responsibility for Chilton.

Her first post after being ordained was as a curate at Carterton.

Mrs Carney was a maths teacher before she trained for the ministry. She was at Milham Ford School, Oxford, for a year and also taught in London and Bristol.

She felt that women priests were more accepted in the Church of England these days. Mrs Carney, who has three grown-up children, added: "I think there is still some wariness from some people. But I think women bring fresh insights into Christianity."

**Picture: Jon Lewis