Town's farewell to long-serving vicar

Farewell to Rev Andrew Sawyer after 25 years

ST LAWRENCE’S Church was filled to capacity as Hungerford bade farewell to the Rev Andrew Sawyer on Sunday.

Following a special parish Eucharist service, the Friends of St Lawrence hosted a farewell buffet.

Churchwarden Chris Geary asked the congregation to “Cast your mind back 25 years to when this fresh-faced young man joined us”.

He thanked Mr Sawyer for his ministry to the town and asked everyone to raise a glass in a toast to wish him and his wife Janet a happy retirement.

Iris Lloyd, of the Friends of St Lawrence Church, presented Mrs Sawyer with a parting gift and there was a spectacular cake to share.

The church is now in an interregnum period, with retired clergy and lay readers covering until a permanent replacement is announced.

Mr Sawyer said: “I had been here two days when I thought to myself ‘this is home – I know this place’.

“It had the same feel as a Norfolk village, which is a high compliment.

“It has been a great joy and privilege to have been here. I thought it was too good to be true.

“It’s been the most incredible privilege to have shared your joys and sorrows.

“I came here just after the tragedy, which my predecessor David Salt dealt with so well.

“There is, of course, an awful lot more to Hungerford than history, particularly tragic history like that.”

He added: “I’ve particularly enjoyed Hocktide here. There’s something very English about Hocktide; something very Church of England, very wonderful.”

Mr Sawyer went on to stress that the priestly ministry was more important than any single incumbent and thanked his church wardens and staff for their help over the years.

He concluded: “This is the longest that I’ve lived anywhere in my life.

“I’ve thought of it as home. You’ve all been very kind – very Christian, very Church, very . . . Hungerford. Thank you.”