The longest-serving member of staff from Truro Cathedral is enjoying what he calls the ‘absolute privilege’ of being a verger at St Paul’s Cathedral today.

Robert Preston received the 11th hour call to go and verge at the service on Tuesday. Today was due to be his day off, but he was delighted to spend it going to help at the service during which the new Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, was to be consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby.

Robert was due to travel up on the sleeper train from Cornwall last night (Thursday), but that was cancelled and so Robert caught the National Express coach and travelled overnight so that he could be there.

Robert, who was originally employed by the former Dean of Truro David Shearlock, this year celebrated working as a verger for 35 years.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be asked,” said Robert. “It’s important for my vocation as a verger. As David Shearlock told me all those years ago, it’s not a question of it being a job, it’s a vocation.”