CAPTION: Will Hazlewood is the co-founder of the Family Fest South West festival
Downing Street Names Devon Vicar As New Bishop of Lewes
Devon vicar Will Hazlewood is to become the new Bishop of Lewes in the Diocese of Chichester.
He is currently vicar of Dartmouth and Dittisham.
The announcement was made by 10 Downing Street this morning at 10am.
It was followed with a video appearance by Will alongside the Diocesan Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, and the Reverend Ruth Bushyager, who is to serve as the new Bishop of Horsham, also in Chichester Diocese.
It is the first time the official announcement of new bishops has happened online rather than in person and is a result of the coronavirus restrictions.
“With Will faith and fun go together”
The announcement about the new bishops was made online for the first time ever
The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, said: “Will Hazlewood is an outstanding priest and pastor, as the people of Dartmouth and Dittisham will gladly testify.
“He has engaged with families and children in such imaginative ways. With Will, faith and fun go together.
“I am delighted at his appointment as Suffragan Bishop of Lewes*, knowing that he will bring to his new role in Sussex an instinctive understanding of the joys and challenges of being a Christian today.”
Welcoming Will’s appointment the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, said “Will brings to the Diocese the experience of priestly ministry in a busy seaside parish, its rich potential and the prayer that sustains it.
“He attracted diocesan-wide recognition in Devon through outreach to families and his capacity to value and transcend differences in Church and society.”
Will studied engineering before becoming a priest in 2002.

Will Hazlewood serving burgers at Family Fest South West alongside Bishop Robert
He served his curacy in a parish in the centre of Bristol before moving to Buckinghamshire.
In 2011 he moved to the Diocese of Exeter to be the vicar of Dartmouth and Dittisham. He became a Prebendary (an honarary role) of Exeter Cathedral in 2017.
He is the co-founder of the Family Fest South West annual family and faith camping weekend in Devon.
The weekend has grown in popularity since it started and attracts a number of families from across Devon and Cornwall who do not normally go to church.
Will is also a Guardian of the Shrine of Our Lady Of Walsingham in Norfolk and has led pilgrimages of young people from Devon to the annual gathering there.
Walsingham is a village in Norfolk which has been a centre of pilgrimage since 1061 when it was believed the Virgin Mary appeared to a local woman called Richeldis.
It attracts thousands of pilgrims every year from all churches.
“Excited and humbled”
Father Will said: “I am hugely excited and humbled by this calling to serve God’s Church as the Bishop of Lewes, but this is tinged with sadness for my whole family at the thought of leaving the Diocese of Exeter.
“We have loved living in Devon and have made so many good friends both locally in the Mission Community of Dartmouth and Dittisham and throughout the diocese.
“However, we draw great comfort in knowing that we all remain part of the Body of Christ, wherever we may be geographically, and our prayers will continue to unite with yours as we continue to seek and build the kingdom of God.”
Will is married to Sophie, a project manager, and they have two young children.
He has a love of classic cars and owns a 1970s Alpha Romeo (which he says is usually in several bits in his garage). He enjoys cooking, fixing things, walking and spending time with his family.
A date for his consecration as Bishop of Lewes has yet to be announced.