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The Revd Canon John Harrison, Chair of the Diocesan House of Clergy, Rural Dean and Vicar of Easingwold, is retiring. Michael Wansborough from Easingwold Parish Church writes about John's farewell do.

The Easingwold Galtres Centre last Sunday was the venue for a retirement party for our vicar, the Revd Canon John Harrison, who is leaving Easingwold Parish Church after 12 years. Many members from the Parish Church were joined by friends from the Methodist and Catholic churches, bringing a strong ecumenical flavour to the event, by former colleagues of John from the Town Council and other friends – over 120 in total!

John was brought up in Barnsley in the West Riding and attended Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School, before reading History at Fitzwilliam College Cambridge. After graduating he taught English with Voluntary Service Overseas in Sudan, then studied Theology at Westcott House Cambridge, before being ordained in 1977. His first post was as Curate at Nunthorpe in Cleveland and he then became Curate in Charge of St Aidan's Acomb in York.

He moved to become Vicar of Heptonstall, near Hebden Bridge, from1983-91 and was appointed Rector of Stamford Bridge from 1991-2002. He joined us as Vicar of Easingwold in 2002, becoming also Rural Dean of Easingwold in 2005, Chair of York Diocesan Clergy in 2009 and was installed as a Canon of York Minster (Prebendary of Bugthorpe) 2010.

Ann studied Maths and Chemistry at Exeter University. They were married in 1981 and have a daughter, Catherine, who is married and lives in York. Ann and John have always had a joint ministry. Ann has been involved with lots of children's work over the years, organising Sunday schools and Pram Services. She has also been involved with social and fund raising activities in the different parishes as well as pastorally, more recently also running the Mothers’ Union in Easingwold.

Tributes were paid to John and Ann by present and previous churchwardens, the Parish Church reader, and a former colleague from the Town Council and member of the Methodist Church.

Ann was presented with a superb bouquet of flowers and the Church Treasurer handed John a cheque from a collection by the whole congregation. John thanked everybody for their help and cooperation over the years and wished us well for the future.

The enormous buffet provided by volunteers defeated even this large assembly and many ‘doggy bags’ were in evidence on departure!

John’s last service will be at the Parish Church on Sunday 31st August at 10.30am, for those who would like to say final farewells. They are then off to their very well- earned retirement in Dunnington. Together, they have made a great team – we shall greatly miss them!

Michael Wansborough, Easingwold Parish Church