A RETIRED vet has proved it's never too late for a career change.
Joan Milnes, of Fixby, has just become accredited as a Methodist lay preacher - at the age of 83.
She was brought up a Methodist and attended the Gledholt church until she was 18.
But after leaving home to train for her career, she never set foot in a Methodist church until she was 80.
Then, she felt called to return and went to Cowcliffe Methodist Church.
And within 12 months Miss Milnes was on the road to becoming a lay preacher.
"I felt really terribly grateful for what God had done for me," she said.
Miss Milnes went to Greenhead High School, where she was head girl in 1938. She went on to study at the Royal London Veterinary College, where she qualified top in her year.
She returned to Huddersfield, where she set up her own practice, Milnes in Birkby Lodge Road, Birkby. It later became Milnes and Lloyd.
She retired at the age of 61 to look after her elderly parents and later became a championship judge in dog classes and renowned dog trainer.
Miss Milnes was encouraged to start her local preacher training after giving her testimony in church.
For six months she assisted a preacher at services, while she made up her mind if it was for her.
She then took a full service herself.
"After my first service I knew it was for me," she said. "I felt I wanted to tell people the truth of what I know about God and what he has done for me."
Miss Milnes enrolled on a local preacher training course, which she passed in two years, rather than the usual four or five.
A service of recognition was held at the Cowcliffe church, led by the Rev Elizabeth Mackey and the Rev Philip Bee, where she was admitted to the Fellowship of Methodist Local Preachers. She is now a familiar face in the East Huddersfield Circuit.
Her age has never been an obstacle for herself or her congregation.
"I have never met more people so supportive and encouraging," she said. "People have said `what a lovely service' after each service I have taken."
