THE rector of Wimborne Minster has been appointed a canon of Salisbury Cathedral.

Reverend Vanessa Herrick will be installed into the Canonry of Alton Borealis in the Quire of the cathedral during evensong on October 15 at 5.30pm.

Once installed, the rector joins Salisbury Cathedral’s College of Canons. Established in 2001 as the successor to the ‘Great Chapter’ it includes lay and non-residentiary – ordained – canons and meets twice a year.

The college helps to provide feedback to the cathedral on its activities and to inform the policy decisions of Chapter, its governing body.

The Rev Vanessa Herrick has been Rector of Wimborne Minster since 2012.

Previously, she served as director of ministry and vocation and director of ordinands in the diocese of Ely.

As a member of the bishop’s senior staff, she was responsible for the development and implementation of a broad strategy for mission and ministry. Before this, she was chaplain and fellow of Fitzwilliam College, and tutor in pastoral theology at Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge.

Formerly a Canon of Ely, she has served on the staff of two cathedrals and has gained a breadth of experience over the past 30 years.

She is co-author of several books on ministry and spirituality and regularly speaks at conferences and leads retreats.

Vanessa trained as a musician at York before turning to theology at Cambridge. She and husband David have two grown up sons and have recently become grandparents.

Her hobbies include playing golf, long distance walking, cinema, theatre and contemporary arts.