AFTER almost a decade at the heart of the community in Corbridge, the Rev. David Hewlett has announced plans to retire.

Having worked tirelessly to promote the church as a building which is at the centre of village life, he and his wife Tessa will be relocating to Herefordshire this summer.

"I'm 67 and it feels like the right time," said David.

"We have 12 grandchildren now and it'll be wonderful to have time to get to know them more."

A farewell service for the father of five is scheduled to take place on the last Sunday in May - just days before he conducts the wedding ceremony of his son Adam - tAVAMhe last of his brood to marry.

The Rev. Hewlett took up his post as Vicar of Corbridge with Halton and Newton Hall in 2008.

He replaced the much-loved Rev. Dr Michael Morphy, who retired after 11 years, and moved to Tynedale from the village of Pontesbury in Shrewsbury.

With a background in teaching, as well as with the church, David has worked in roles including acting head of a prep school in Marlborough, Wiltshire, hospital chaplain in Bristol, and full-time diocesan adviser working in the training and development of staff in Lincoln.

"Michael had done wonderful things here and it's been good to be able to build on such a solid foundation," said David.

"The management style during my time here has been to encourage, enable and support.

"That has meant a number of the team around me have progressed on to leading worship themselves.

"Their support has really given me the space to be a priest and I've felt honoured and privileged to be allowed into people's lives during times of great sorrow and great joy."

As part of his role, David has also been the area dean of Corbridge Deanery, which takes in a vast chunk of Tynedale and includes 23 parish churches.

Priest in charge at St James's Church in Riding Mill, the Rev. Lesley Chapman, has already been asked by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev. Christine Hardman, to become the new area dean.

The role is in addition to her ministry at Riding Mill, and as the Bishop's Adviser for Spirituality and Spiritual Direction in the Diocese of Newcastle.

Lesley will oversee the care of parishes within Corbridge Deanery, in particular the parishes where there are currently vacancies, including Bywell with Stocksfield and Mickley, Wylam, Prudhoe, Ovingham, Snods Edge and, from the end of May, Corbridge.