New vicar Rev Jane Sivers excited to be assigned at Whaplode Drove, Holbeach Drove, Gedney Hill, Sutton St James, Sutton St Edmund and Tydd St Mary churches

A new church vicar was delighted to be ordained after years of hard work.

An ordination ceremony was held for The Rev Jane Sivers - who had been a church warden and deacon previously - at St John the Baptist Church in Whaplode Drove.

It was the first time a ceremony of its kind has taken place in the church.

She will now be assigned to that church along with St Polycarp’s in Holbeach Drove, Church Of The Holy Trinity in Gedney Hill, St James’ in Sutton St James, St Edmund’s in Sutton St Edmund and St Mary’s in Tydd St Mary.

She was ordained by the Bishop of Grantham on the day, and was delighted with how proceedings went.

“It was an absolutely awesome day. It was wonderful,” she said.

“Everybody that has supported me and helped me when it got difficult, and who shared my sorrows and joys, all those that I serve in the community, were all there.”

Ms Sivers can now hold weddings and baptisms in her new role, for which she has been training for a number of years.

She was joined by her family, including children and grandchildren, for her ordination on June 25 - and was able to host her first communion service the next day.

“That was the most amazing experience I can ever remember. It was just wonderful, and it’s gone on from there,” she added.

Wendy James, a good friend of Ms Sivers who sometimes performs readings at the Whaplode Drove church, is delighted that it now has a permanent vicar.

“She’s the most delightful, wonderful person. I do Bible studies with her on Tuesdays - she’s quite remarkable,” she said. “She’s blossomed, she’s like an actress.”