St Nicholas Church suffered another blow this week when their warden of 26 years retired.
John Baxter, from Forton, has worked under four reverends during his near three decade reign but retired this week, insisting it was time for him to leave.
This comes just 15 months after the then deputy warden Derek Griffiths suddenly resigned after clashes with Reverend Steve Mitchell.
This week Mr Baxter said: “I have been doing it for 26 years and I felt it was time I retired. I thought about retiring last year but then didn’t and told them this would be my last year.
“I was very sad and upset when Derek left and I really don’t want to re-open that. I decided to stay on so that someone could hand over and we have two excellent church wardens now.
“I was very happy doing the roll but I was delighted when Derek Griffiths came to join us. Himself and his wife, Margaret, were great supporters of the church and I spent 12 years with him, which were absolutely superb.”
Mr Baxter said he enjoyed working under well-loved rector Reverend Rod Biddel, who died of cancer in 2005.
“Rod was wonderful and we were very committed and worked well together. I was very lucky to be a part of that team,” he added.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing the job and one of the highlights was getting the new roof put on.
“There were some obvious challenges, particularly during periods when we had no priest, but it was all very enjoyable.”
Mr Griffiths this week also paid tribute to John after he announced his departure.
He said: “He was a first class colleague and church warden and it is a great loss to the diocese but one has to accept that the years move on.”
Rev Steve Mitchell said this week he was sorry to see Mr Baxter leave.
He said: “After some very good years of service to the parish of St Nicholas John Baxter retired from office.
“A special service was held in the church to pay tribute to him.
“Ron Weedon paid long tribute to him and other words of gratitude were expressed by people.
“We presented him with some vouchers and his wife was given a bouquet of flowers.”
Mr Baxter added he would like to thank Margaret and Derek Griffiths, Ron Gladwin, Lesley Green, Erica Watson Todd and Douglas Keddy and all who helped him during his 26 years in the job.
By Jason Lavan
