THE new Bishop of Ramsbury admits he is on a 'vertical learning curve' after being appointed on January 25, in Southwark Cathedral in London.

"I look after part of the Diocese of Salisbury in the north and east of Wiltshire," said the new Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rev Dr Andrew Rumsey.

"There's a bishop of Swindon but the diocese covers most of Wiltshire, a bit of Hampshire and part of Dorset."

The title dates to the 10th century and relates to the village east of Marlborough the new Bishop of Ramsbury, Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey, lives in Marlborough and travels across the diocese.

"I'm in the resurrection business," he admits cheerfully, "it's not just about worship as we serve a wider world.

"The Church of England is still responsible for the spiritual welfare of everybody in the country whether they go to church or not."

His work includes managing 180 clergy and 260 churches with some congregations in decline and others resurgent.

He meets the clergy to support their work and also seeks to recruit new members as well as overseeing the Church of England's work.

Then there are the various services he attends, C of E schools to visit, civic meetings and ceremonies and assists the Bishops of Salisbury and Sherbourne as a spokesman for the church on political and civic matters.

Married to moonraker and professional trainer Rebecca who was born in Marlborough the couple have moved to the town from Oxten with their three children who now attend St John's.

"We do have some connections to the county," he said, "I had an aunt who lived here but by and large I'm new to the area and keen to learn about the landscape and its people."

The main issues he said included sustainability for communities, welcoming outsiders, helping young people and the social position of the military with the arrival of troops to the new super barracks at Tidworth.

The bishop is also a musician and songwriter playing guitar in the rock band Effras and an author.