The Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury. Picture: Paul Dennis.

by Rachael Woods

The new Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, has been talking about settling into his new role and plans to travel around the diocese, giving thanks for all the hard work that's being done.

He said: “My first priority is to go and listen and thank. I think the church is doing a great job in many different places and my mission is to meet and thank and encourage people.”

The former Bishop of Basingstoke said he was both excited and humbled by his new role.

Bishop Trevor’s aim is to forge a stronger connection between the church and its community and to develop “local leadership for local community."

Change is also on the agenda for the bishop’s wife, Margaret, who is adapting to the move to Canterbury and will start a new job as a finance officer at St Peter’s Methodist Primary School.

The couple, who have a 24-year-old daughter living in Bristol, are settling into their city home. A keen gardener, Bishop Trevor has plans to grow his own fruit and vegetables.

He likes to entertain and enjoys dishes from Italy, Greece and India as well as good English food. Chefs he admires are those who share their passion for food with others – he mentions Gino D’Acampo and Jamie Oliver as favourites.

Bishop Trevor is a fan of rugby and cricket and will be supporting Kent Cricket Club.

When he’s not watching sport, he likes to listen to Radio 4 and Classic FM, or watch his favourite soap on the television.

“I can be a bit of a soap addict and I like watching EastEnders,” he said, adding that he sees the programme as reflecting the problems of society and as something to learn from.

Read the full story in this week's Kentish Gazette.