A BAD fall meant church stalwart Ron Willey had to miss his church's 50th anniversary.

The 89-year-old has been a member at St Francis's Church, Fixby, since it was built.

He had hoped to play a part in the birthday celebrations at the weekend.

But he was in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary instead, after breaking his hip in a fall last Thursday.

His son, Steve, said: "My father is one of only two remaining church members who were responsible for its foundation. He was looking forward to joining in the weekend's celebrations."

The fall came the day after Mr Willey visited the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, at Bishopthorpe Palace, near York.

Steve Willey said: "They had previously met when my father was churchwarden at Fixby and the archbishop was the Bishop of Wakefield.

"We spent almost an hour in a private meeting with the archbishop and he also kindly showed us round the palace."

The golden jubilee of St Francis's Church was marked with a special eucharist.