A NORTH Tyne vicar who has spent seven years at the heart of community life will hold a farewell service this Sunday as he begins his retirement.

The Rev. Mike Slade became vicar of Chollerton, Gunnerton, Birtley and Thockrington churches in the summer of 2010.

After marrying wife Fiona and the birth of two children, he was called into full-time ministry in the Church of England.

He served in rural and village parishes in Somerset and was rural dean of a large area covering Weston-Super-Mare and many surrounding towns and villages.

Since moving to the Chollerton benefice, stand-out moments for Mr Slade include the Archbishop of York John Sentamu’s visit to Throcklington in 2013, for a service to celebrate the life and work of Lord Beveridge, who is buried in the churchyard there.

“That was particularly special,” he said.

“I once had a wedding here with only five people,” he added. “Those occasions are very special. It is the intimacy and the quietness of the building, while being used for what it was designed for when it was built in the 1200s.”

During his years at Chollerton, he has overseen some important building works, including safety work to Chollerton tower, the renewal of an unsafe bell and the restoration of the hearse house and stable block.

He also introduced Messy Church to Barrasford in 2011, which is popular with families, allowing time for craft activities together on a Saturday afternoon before a short service and meal.

Mr Slade is retiring to Wark with his wife Fiona and daughter Alison, and they hope to see more of their son, Matthew, who lives in Swansea.

He has been appointed as chaplain to the High Sheriff of Northumberland for the next 12 months, and will have more time to pursue his hobbies of photography, walking and meteorology.

“Now we couldn’t think of moving away from Northumberland,” he said. “It is such a wonderful place.

“I have really enjoyed my ministry here; it has been a great privilege to be here with people who have been so fantastic.”

Mr Slade’s final service will be held on Sunday at 10.30am at St Giles’ Church in Chollerton.