A CLERGYMAN is leaving his Huddersfield parish after 22 years.
The Rev Ian Jackson, team rector at Newsome and Armitage Bridge, is moving to take up a new role in Dorset.
Mr Jackson, 50, conducts services mainly St John's Church, Newsome and St Paul's, Armitage Bridge.
He was only 28 when he first arrived in the area.
He is to move to the south west of England in November, where he will be priest-in-charge of Corfe Castle, Church Knowle, Kimmeridge and Steeple with Tyneham.
He said: "I am very much looking forward to it.
"After such a long time it will be a wrench to leave Huddersfield because it has been such a large part of my life.
"Moving on is always like that but I am also looking forward to the change.
"It feels good and right."
Mr Jackson, who is married to Mary, said he had noticed a change in the economic climate of Huddersfield since he first arrived.
"There was a lot of long-term unemployed among young people because of the changes in the textile and engineering industries.
"The mood was quite despondent but it is not the same now.
"I feel that the mood is more optimistic.
"There are still people who say "what's the world coming to?" and crime is increasing but I think overall the mood is a better one."
Mr Jackson said he had noticed an increase in the level of community initiatives over the years.
"There does seem to be more activity around with people taking part in community activities."
Mr Jackson said there had been a fall in church attendance.
"But I detect no less interest than in what the church has to say than there ever has been - possibly more - to do with questions on the meaning of life.
"People perhaps are not necessarily wanting church life in its traditional form.
"They may want less formal approaches and smaller groups rather than big occasions.
"I do not feel downhearted or lacking in confidence."
