THE 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells gifted 1,000 tree saplings to guests at his installation on Saturday (November 12).

The service of welcome at Wells Cathedral for The Rt Rev Michael Beasley heard that the hazel saplings were a symbol of commitment to turn words into action.

He told the congregation his gift was an example of how to bring about the harvest of God's life into His world.

During the service, Bishop Michael wore a cape commissioned for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902.

His Oath of Allegiance to the King was taken on Bishop Robert Creyghtone’s 1633 Bible and he received the 15th century episcopal ring.

Representatives from every Bath and Wells parish attended the service and heard the Bishop's desire for a world of "peace, fairness, service, justice, loving-kindness".

He said: “As we’ve heard so much in the last few days, amongst the biggest challenges we face as citizens of the earth is the climate catastrophe that advances upon us.

"So as an example of just one of the things we can do to bring about the harvest of God’s life into God’s world, I invite you to take home from this place - a sapling.

"A hazel that will grow, offer shelter to birds and creatures, capture carbon, hold moisture in the soil.

"Our world has so many needs – of poverty, of hunger, of disease, of hardness of heart.

"As a way of marking this day will you plant a sapling as a sign that under God each of us, in every place, can play our part in working for change, for transformation, for life?"

Bishop Michael journeyed to Wells Cathedral on foot, by bus, car, electric bike, police car, tractor and vintage lorry, stopping at a number of locations to meet local people.

About Bishop Michael

Brought up in rural Staffordshire, Bishop Michael attended a small Church of England primary school and a rural church. A scientist by background, he was an epidemiologist specialising in infectious diseases of children in low-income countries. Bishop Michael was ordained in 1999 and until his appointment as Director of Mission in the Diocese of Oxford in 2010, he combined his scientific work 50:50 with work in Christian ministry as a missioner and theological educator. He was the Bishop of Hertford in the Diocese of St Albans from 2015.

Bishop Michael is married to Lizzie, a farm manager’s daughter from Somerset and they have two young children.