A newly elected bishop has made his first official visit to Epping Forest.

The Right Reverend Peter Hill met senior members and officers from Epping Forest District Council at the civic offices in Epping yesterday (June 16) after being elected as the Bishop of Barking last year.

Council chairman Liz Webster welcomed the bishop as he stopped in the district on a nine-day tour of his new diocese, which also covers Waltham Forest and Newham and an estimated population of 1,481,000.

As part of his tour, the bishop also visited the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey.

He said: “It has been a privilege to meet with the chairman, leader and director of communities at Epping Forest District Council, and hear about the significant community engagement that is being made with and for the district’s young people.”