The Church of St Lawrence was packed with people who had gathered to welcome Emily Spencer as Alton’s new Anna Chaplain.

Anna Chaplaincy offers pastoral and spiritual care to the older generation from all walks of life.

It was all started in Alton in 2010 by Debbie Thrower - who presented Meridian Tonight for 16 years - and is now a nationwide organisation with more than 400 paid and volunteer chaplains across the country.

Already Emily is visiting elderly people in the Alton community, where she offers a compassionate and listening ear.

She has begun attending community groups and making connections with other voluntary organisations in the town.

Emily also plans to continue the Growing Old Gracefully series, started by her predecessor Kate Powell, that featured in the Herald and celebrated the lives of older people in the town.

The Anna Chaplaincy team visits many of the care homes in Alton, offering an appropriate act of Christian worship and making time to support residents and staff.

Emily said: “I have already met so many kind and friendly people who have made me feel so welcome. I am very much looking forward to working in this community and getting to know people.

“I have always had a heart for the older generation and feel privileged that I have the opportunity to do a job that I love with a generation I am so fond of.

“I’m therefore delighted to serve as Anna Chaplain in Alton, seeking to support those of strong, little or no faith.”

Emily is married to Chris, and they have two daughters, aged 14 and eight. She enjoys walking, especially in the countryside, and has been known to have sold a painting or two.

Emily would be delighted to meet Altonians as she works around the town. She can be contacted at [email protected]