FOUR churches in the Selby area will lose their vicar, the Rev Francis Loftus, when he retires in January.
Rev Loftus has been vicar at churches in Hemingbrough, Barlby, Riccall and Cliffe, since 2010, but conducted his first service at Riccall in 1990 when he was a reader.
He was ordained in 1996, when he was head teacher at Barlby High School, before retiring from education in 2009 after 19 years’ service.
Having been involved with the church, he saw the position of vicar advertised, applied and was accepted.
He said: “I knew the area well and indirectly from my position at the school I also knew the people. Many of the families who come to the church to have their babies baptised were my former pupils.”
Rev Loftus is married to Margaret, and they have a daughter, Emma-Dawn.
He said: “It has been a real privilege to be part of so many peoples’ lives, on both happy and sad occasions.”
He hopes to be able to preach part time.
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