Blackburn Cathedral has announced the appointment of the Revd. Dr Jenny Gaffin as Precentor and Residentiary Canon Designate at Blackburn Cathedral.

Jenny, pictured, is currently Priest in Charge of the Hayling Island Parishes of St Andrew's, St Mary's and St Peter's in the Diocese of Portsmouth and will begin her ministry in the New Year.

As Precentor, Jenny will have primary responsibility in all matters relating to worship, liturgy and music on behalf of Chapter. She will share in the strategic and spiritual oversight of the wider Cathedral community and lead in additional designated areas of responsibility.

This is an exciting moment for Blackburn Cathedral as we prepare to celebrate our centenary as a Diocese and Cathedral.

Commenting on the appointment, The Dean, the Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones said: “Worship is at the heart of our life together as a community and Jenny brings a wide experience of music and liturgy together with a variety of life skills that make her appointment so exciting.

"I am delighted that she has accepted our invitation and believe she will be ideally suited to help us grow in our worship of God and faith in daily life.

"All at Blackburn Cathedral and the Diocese of Blackburn are very much looking forward to welcoming Jenny and her house guests from Ukraine Kateryna and her daughter Nelya."

Jenny added: "I am really excited to be joining such a wonderful cathedral community, and am grateful for this fabulous opportunity to serve, to learn and to grow together in so many ways locally and across the diocese."

Ronnie Semley, October 2023