“I have been your Vicar for 12 years. Together we have shared in some interesting and challenging changes and developments in our churches, not least the formation of our benefice, a very strong and effective partnership and friendship between Holy Trinity, Cookham and St John the Baptist, Cookham Dean. I have felt very privileged to be your parish priest for so long. However I believe it is time for me to move on and I am pleased to announce today that the Archbishop of York has appointed me to be a Canon at York Minster. In addition to being part of the Chapter which prays daily in the Minster and is responsible for all that happens there, I will have particular responsibility for the pastoral care of the congregation, the visitors, the volunteers and everyone who works at the Minster. I do not know when my  nstallation as Canon will take place but it will not be until the summer so I am going to be around for a little while yet!

Ann and I are sad to be leaving Cookham where we, and our family, have been very happy for so long, but we are also excited about the challenges ahead. I am confident that our excellent churchwardens and Ministry Team will make a great job of managing the interregnum when it begins and guide our churches and benefice into the next exciting stage of its journey.