We were so pleased to be able to invite the new Archdeacon of France, Venerable Peter Hooper, for his first visit to Aquitaine. During his stay he led two services on Sunday 31 October. In the morning, he conducted a memorable service at the church in Bertric Burée, which included the re-licensing of our Chaplain, Revd Tony Lomas.

Late afternoon, he attended a Choral Evensong at the church in Monteton. Our Chaplain Tony was Cantor for this beautiful service where the Choir, led by Peps Inscoe and with Adrian on the organ, sang the William Smith Responses and the lovely Thomas Attwood Walmisley settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, with as the Anthem, Mozart’s Laudate Dominum from his Vespers. For this we had the extra privilege of Peps, our Choir Leader, singing the glorious solo introduction. A truly memorable occasion with a congregation of over 40 people, and which the Archdeacon told us he enjoyed greatly.

Venerable Peter Hooper took on the role of Archdeacon earlier in 2021. He previously had a career as managing director of a large agricultural seeds business based in Toulouse before being ordained in the Church of England in 2006.

The article and photos are published on the Aquitaine website.