BRADWELL will be getting a new Bishop ahead of a major festival of worship this weekend.

John Perumbalath, formerly the Archdeacon of Barking, was consecrated today at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Mr Perumbalath first task will be as the main speaker at this year’s Bradwell Gathering on Saturday.

Mr Perumbalath said: “I am really looking forward to meeting many people from far and wide at this great annual event at Bradwell-on-Sea, the place which is the origin of the name of Bradwell in my new title. The patron saint of Essex, St Cedd, who built historic St Peter’s Chapel at Bradwell-on-Sea in the 7th century, was our first great missionary disciple, and in my keynote address I will be asking the question ‘What does missionary discipleship look like today?’”

As Bishop of Bradwell, he will lead the Church of England in mid-Essex.

The gathering begins at St Thomas’ Church in East End Road at 10.30am for a short service followed by a two mile journey to the chapel of St Peter’s on the Wall.