Today we are delighted to announce the appointment of Reverend Helen Blaine as the new Associate Priest in the North Dartmoor Parishes.
Helen is presently Rector of Broadwoodkelly, Brushford and Winkleigh and Priest-in-Charge of Ashreigney in North Devon. She and her husband Alastair, a Royal Navy chaplain, plan to move to Moretonhampstead Rectory in February 2026. Subject to the completion of all legal formalities, Helen will be licensed as Associate Priest on Wednesday 4th March at a service at St Andrew’s, Moretonhampstead.
As in her present ministry, Helen will serve on a half-time basis while continuing her academic research in theology and liturgy. In earlier life, Helen was a veterinary nurse before discerning a call to priesthood and preparing for ordained ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon, where she earned a degree in theology. She was ordained in 2015 and served her training curacy in the diocese of St Albans before moving to her present post in this diocese in 2018. Helen and Alastair are experienced walkers and already know the North Dartmoor landscape well, having recently climbed their 108th Dartmoor tor.
The news was announced in all of the North Dartmoor Parish churches in the Sunday services today. Our prayers are with Helen and Alastair as they prepare to move to their new home and for Helen as she prepares for a new stage in her life and work as a priest.