HISTORY was made when the Rev Veronica James was installed as the new rector of Holy Trinity Church, Skipton.

She is not only the town's first woman rector, but is also one of the first priests to be installed in the the new Ripon area of the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales which came into existence on Easter Day.

She was installed by the area bishop, the Right Rev James Bell, Area Bishop, watched by the Archdeacon Paul Slater and Canon John Paton, representing Christ Church, Oxford, the patrons of the parish.

Veronica was previously based ibn the North Cotswolds where she was in charge of seven churches as well as being the area dean of sixty parishes.