THE vicar of Great Ayton, now Canon Paul Peverell, received a surprise and welcome e-mail at Christmas, which he read out to his congregation.

It said: "The bishop, clergy and people of the diocese of Ho meeting at the first session of the first synod desire to convey to your their affection and good wishes for this Christmas and the whole Yuletide.

"For your immense support towards the creation of the new diocese of Ho, I recommended your appointment as one of the first canons of St George's Cathedral, Ho, Ghana, in the Church of the Province of West Africa.

"Members of Synod unanimously endorsed the recommendation with a great applause and I write to warmly congratulate you on the occasion of your appointment. In the months ahead, it is hoped that you will arrange your date of installation with the bishop."

Canon Peverell had known Bishop Matthias Medadues-Badohu since the latter first came to England 20 years ago to train for the priesthood.

On Advent Sunday in 2000, Mr Medadues-Badohu, then the Archdeacon of Ho, had preached at Christ Church and St Oswalds, Newton under Roseberry, where he had endeared himself to the congregations by his warmth, enthusiasm and fight against poverty in his country, and forged a close link with Great Ayton.

Since his visit, Great Ayton and Newton have joined with other churches throughout the country to form the Ho Diocesan Association, of which Canon Peverell is the chairman.

This has given much valued financial support to ensure the creation of this new diocese, of which Mr Medadues-Badohu was appointed its first bishop and was consecrated last August.

Canon Peverell gave credit to all for their generosity in supporting the association. When it came to the consecration service, Bishop Medadues-Badohu requested a UK presence so the people of Ho would know that they did have support in this country.

After the trip, Canon Peverell wrote in the church magazine: "On Sunday August 17, 2003, Peter Titchmarsh, a lay reader for 35 years, his wife Pauline, also a staunch church and village worker, and I had the privilege of attending the consecration of the first bishop of the new diocese of Ho in Ghana. We were there out of friendship and to show support for the new diocese.

"The service began at 8.15am and lasted until 3.15pm with about 2,000 people present. In it we had everything and even I joined in the dancing, much to the delight of the choir.

Enthronement followed in the Cathedral Church of St George. After the pomp of that great day, the following week we went round various parts of the new diocese, seeing first hand the needs of the church and the challenges that lay ahead.

"In material terms the Ghanaian people are very poor, with the average family income reported to be £300 per year. We saw so many desperate needs in schools, which need funds for basic educational equipment and books, and churches and clergy houses needing much building work to finish them off.

"However, in terms of hospitality, warmth, humour, faith and love they showed us where true riches lie. We had a most memorable visit, made many friends and had much to make us think.

"To go to Ho, to the service and to meet the people, was an unforgettable experience and privilege that none of us will ever forget."

Canon Peverell said: "I consider it a great honour to be appointed a canon of this new diocese, and it is also a tribute to the people of our local churches who gave so generously to help in the foundation of the diocese."

Canon Peverell was born at Redcar, where he regularly attended St Peter's Church. Upon leaving school, he worked for a short time at British Steel before attending theological college at Cuddestone, Oxfordshire, being ordained in 1982.

He was appointed as curate at Cottingham, near Hull, where he was soon pushed into the deep end as the rector left shortly afterwards to take over another parish, and Canon Peverell was left with the daunting task of being an inexperienced deacon in charge of a parish.

He has often paid tribute to nearby clergy who helped him through this difficult but challenging time.

Following this, he became vicar of St Martin's, Middlesbrough, from 1985-93 after which he was appointed to his present incumbency at Great Ayton in 1993.

He is married to Karen and they have two children, David ten, and Hannah, six, who attend the local Roseberry and Marwood schools.