Before writing my last letter, I revisited my first letter to our parishes in June 2002. As I reviewed what I wrote then much was still relevant today about leaving one place and starting at another. What things you take with you and what things you leave behind. Yet at the same time many things have changed for me, for my family and for our communities. I am ten years older and lot greyer, my children has left home, my son has become engaged and our communities are now five instead of three. Yet the real changes have been much deeper. They include becoming part of a community instead of being a stranger, of being part, or having been part of people’s lives, in sorrow and in joy. Of seeing people grow and develop in themselves and in faith. Of seeing children I baptised, now growing up and going to big school, couples I married bringing children to be baptised. Of members of our communities now at rest. All these things have had a profound effect on me and Heather. And as I look back of the past ten years, I want to say a big thank you to everybody who has welcomed us into their lives, in big or small ways, in the happy and the sad times. I want to say thank you to all who have helped in the many activities that have taken place, from fetes and village festivals, bazaars and Santa’s Christmases to mention just a few. From the ‘Vicar of Dibley’ harvests and Christmas meals to trips to our cathedral at Peterborough and back. The last ten years have been good years, full of memories that Heather and I will treasure. We have enjoyed being part of the community of our five villages and five churches and so it is with a little sadness that we say our farewells rather than good byes. For we hope that we will continue to see many of our friends as they pass through our new benefice. Our Benefice is made up of five villages just like our current home with a similar number of inhabitants, albeit a little further spread apart. Our new home will be in the rectory in Aynho which is just a couple of miles from Brackley. Just take the A45 to the M1 and then the A43 until just before the M40. Many people have said that they drive through Aynho going to see this and that. I hope that if you pass through you may want to stop off for a cup of tea and say hello to some old friends. For when we close the door on the Vicarage in Little Harrowden it is only so we can open the door of our new home to friends both old and new. My induction as the rector of the Astwick Vale benefice will be on 4th September at 7:30pm in St. Georges Church Aynho. I would love to see you there.
