Vicar of Brigg, Father Owain Mitchell, will take up a new appointment in charge of a parish in Derbyshire later this month. He recently conducted his final service at St John's. He is seen above saying his goodbyes to the congregation.
Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters magazine, took these pictures and has kindly compiled the following report...
Father Owain Mitchell hails from Patrington, in the Holderness area of the East Riding. He undertook his training in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.
He was visibly moved at the end of his last service at St John's Church on Sunday, 29th December.
The Group Eucharist service at 9.30 saw combined congregations from Brigg, Wrawby and Cadney & Howsham, Bonby and Worlaby saying farewell to Father Owain, who has been in Brigg for over 15 years.
Father Owain leaves for pastures new at St George's Parish Church in New Mills on the north-western edge of Derbyshire's Peak District.
Clearly emotional, Father Owain said that he had thought that he would have remained in Brigg until he retired, but God has called him to move. It was quite amazing the number of local people he had met recently with some sort of connection to New Mills.
The township of New Mills is historically an amalgamation of local villages and presently has a population of about two-and-a-quarter times the population of Brigg.
Father Owain was also interested to learn that New Mills is the home of confectioners Swizzels Matlow who produce Love Hearts and such like - Parma Violets being one of the favourite sweets of his wife, Claire.
As well as officiating at local churches, Father Owain was also the pastor to Brigg Town Council, and, in particular, offered personal support to current Brigg Town Mayor, Cllr Sharon Riggall.
Following the service, members of the congregation moved to the Church Hall where folks could more informally say goodbye to Father Owain.
Thank you Father Owain, you will be remembered.
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| The St John's congregation presenting farewell gifts to Father Owain and his wife, Claire, right. |
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| Father Owain with Caroline and the Venerable Rev Andrew Ballard. |
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| The Rt Rev David Tustin, retired Bishop of Grimsby, The Venerable Rev Andrew Ballard and Father Owain Mitchell. |
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| A farewell gift from Brigg Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall. |
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| Two views inside the Church Hall after the service. |
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| Part of the Wrawby congregation. |