HE is known around Hay-on-Wye as the man who blesses dogs, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

Animal lover Father Richard Williams is the new parish priest at St Mary's - and has tripled the congregation with his gentle touch.

The 44-year-old bachelor, who has moved into one of the new homes at The Meadows with two loyal companions, his blind 14-year-old dog Jaffa and cat Buffy, was welcomed to Hay during a special induction ceremony at the church, led by the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Rt Rev Anthony Pearce.

It was during his first week that he was asked to bless his first pooch, a little dog outside the chemists.

It was an unlucky moment for him. As he bent down to give the dog its blessing an elderly lady came out of the door and trampled him.

"She was OK and I was a bit bruised," said Father Richard, who says he blessed an infertile budgie that later had chicks.

His talents have already worked wonders with the congregation, which has risen from just 12 to 35.

He studied piano, organ and composition at Trinity College, London and intends to establish a church choir.

"There are a lot of people who are very musical in Hay. I will sing plainsong like the Gregorian Chant and motets."

The popular father, who also takes services at Llanigon and St Mary's, Capel Y Ffin, comes to Hay after a six-year post as parish priest at Tredunnoc in the Diocese of Monmouth, which had a population of just 450.

He was ordained to the priesthood at a monastery in West Yorkshire called the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield.

Amongst the monks was Bishop Trevor Huddleston, who has won praise from Nelson Mandela as the person who has done the most for anti apartheid, and together with the other monks was a great influence on the father.

His mission statement for Hay is very simple. "It's principally to make the parish church what it's supposed to be, the church of the parish for everyone."

He wishes to remind everyone in Hay services at St Mary's will be held at 9.30am every Sunday and there will be a mid week mass at 10am on Wednesdays.