Hazel switches from school staffroom to a life in church

THE Church of Ireland diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross has acquired its third woman deacon following the ordination of a former English teacher.

Hazel Minion (56), was ordained by the Bishop Paul Colton at a special ceremony at St Fin Barre's Cathedral on Monday night and will take up a posting in the parish of Templebreedy, an area which covers Crosshaven and Nohoval.

Ms Minion, a single woman who was born in Wicklow, taught at Aston School, on the Blackrock Road, in Cork City from 1979 1996.