FOR more than 12 years Vicar of Honley David Barnes has seen his parish blossom.

But now the well-known vicar is preparing his last service, as he will leave his post for a new position in Cornwall.

Mr Barnes took up the post as Vicar of Honley and Brockholes in 1999 after serving parishioners in Rochdale previously. He has led St Mary’s Honley and St George’s in Brockholes every since.

“It’s been a fantastic 12-and-a-half years,” he said.

“The support I have received has been brilliant, equally the support for the church has grown and it’s been a delight to see so many people getting involved with the community.

“The people here have been very supporting, even during the difficult times.

“I’ve seen everyone come together to move the church forward and work together to get things done.

“The church has been re-ordered and had work done to it and that’s the result of the community support.

“My highlight has been how greatly everyone has gelled together – the wider community and the church community really do work well together.

“Seeing such support has been the most important part of my ministry here.”

The vicar has been tested during his time – last November plumbers informed him the Honley church’s old rusty boiler wouldn’t see another winter.

But the culmination of a lot of hard work saw the church raise £40,000 for a new boiler after the community rallied round to get the funds raised before this winter sets in.

But it’s not just been God’s work which he has been involved in.

Mr Barnes is a keen cricket follower – and has been known to tread the boards during his time in Honley.

In 2002 he joined the Honley Players and took on the role as the monarch in a production of Puss In Boots.

“I’ve taken on a few challenges, people were very gracious about what I did. I shall miss being involved with the pantos and the productions.”

He and wife Jean will move to Bude in Cornwall, where Mr Barnes will be the vicar of four churches – Budehaven, Launcells, Marhamchurch and Stratton.

“Two of them are very much countryside churches and two are in towns and on the coast.

“I was fortunate that this opportunity came along. I feel like I’ve fulfilled what I needed to do here in Honley. Over the last 12 and a half years the church has grown and I feel pleased about that.

“It will be sad to leave, I’ve made many friends here and it would be easier to stay, but at this time I feel this is a good opportunity tempered with sadness at saying goodbye.”

Mr Barnes will host his last Christmas services with his final service at St Mary’s on Sunday January 8 at 10.30am.