THE new minister of St Andrew’s High Church in Musselburgh officially took up his new post last Thursday.

A service of induction for the Rev Dr Leslie Milton, conducted by the Rev Andrew Don, Moderator of Lothian Presbytery, was held at the High Street kirk.

A tea, hosted by the congregation of St Andrew’s High, took place afterwards at Inveresk Church Hall.

The Rev Glover introduced Dr Milton to the congregation and the Rev Janice Andrews, of Musselburgh Congregational Church, welcomed him to the town on behalf of the local clergy. Alastair Knowles, immediate past president of the Old Musselburgh Club and chairman of the 2016 Riding of the Marches, speaking on behalf of the local community, wished Dr Milton and his wife Libby happiness for their new life in Musselburgh.

Dr Milton, who grew up in Airdrie, was previously minister at Cambuslang Parish Church.

Before that he worked as a minister of the Church of Scotland in a number of different countries, including times in South Africa and in Mozambique, where he taught students who were training to be ministers. He also worked for a Church of England training college near Oxford for eight years.

Mrs Milton is a palliative care nurse, working at the Marie Curie Hospice in Fairmilehead. Dr Milton succeeds the kirk’s former minister Reverend Yvonne Atkins who retired.