A RETIRING vicar said he will miss the parishes he has served for more than 15 years.

For almost half of his 32-year church career Reverend Jan van den Berg has been the vicar of St John's Church at Blackford and St Mary's Church at Rockcliffe.

Reverend van den Berg, 64, moved to Cumbria from Nottinghamshire two decades ago when he took the job of team vicar for the Eden, Gelt and Irthing Team Ministry, serving 10 churches.

He then moved to cover the Blackford and Rockcliffe parishes in 2005 and is now retiring to live in Hexham.

It's a time in his life he will look back on fondly and says he will miss those he had been pleased to serve.

"I have enjoyed my time and it has been a very meaningful time for me in these parishes. It has been lovely serving them," he said.

"I have been very fortunate and pleased to have been able to serve God in these parishes. It has been an absolute pleasure and I will miss them very much."

Rev van den Berg led his final service at St Johns Church in Blackford on July 27. Planned celebrations to jointly mark his retirement and the church's 150th anniversary had to be postponed in June due to Covid-19.

Up to 30 people turned out to say goodbye and he was presented with a donation toward an electric bike, a book, vouchers, flowers and wine as well as a picture of Carlisle Cathedral painted by the late husband of a member of the congregation.

Blackford church warden Mike Underwood said: "He has been well-liked and he is a country fella. He understands the farming side of it, which a lot of the parish is, especially Blackford. It's a rural parish, there isn't a village there.

"He's been great at getting out on his bike and getting round people. He's a good communicator and is brilliant with children. He had good relationships with both school's headteachers."

Mr Underwood, who has been church warden for the past five years, said Rev van den Berg was a great person to work with and with his guidance they have managed to push the church forward, raising £18,000 for structural repairs to the roof.

Rev van den Berg said: "As a vicar you end up doing all sorts of jobs. From providing pastoral care to the dying and sitting with the grieving to providing architectural advice.

"We raised a fair amount of money over the years to keep the roof in shape, plus the entrance lobby which is a wonderful improvement."

Gordon Tallentire, St Mary's church warden and parochial church council vice-chair, added: "He is a hard worker. I think he's done a difficult job pretty well. In the present climate with churches it's not the easiest job in the world."

The churches will now hold joint services every week, taking place St Mary's and St John's on alternating weeks, until the diocese decides how Rev van den Berg will be replaced. The next will take place at Rockcliffe on Sunday.