Vicar pedals off into retirement (From Oxford Mail)

Vicar pedals off into retirement

6:52pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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A vicar has been told to get on her bike after a decade serving churches in her west Oxfordshire parishes.

The Rev Jane Knowles was presented with a bicycle so she can get around the countryside at her retirement cottage.

Mrs Knowles served the Forest Edge Benefice — which includes the parishes of Leafield, Finstock, Ramsden and Wilcote — for 10 years. Her husband Ian retired five years ago.

The couple, who have four grandchildren, will move to Devizes, in Wiltshire, to be closer to Mrs Knowles 93-year-old mother.

Mrs Knowles, 55, said: “I am looking forward to riding my bicycle. I have always promised myself that I will take up watercolour lessons, as my father was a painter.

“My daughter is expecting a baby in August, so I will be closer to her.”

Parishioners packed St Michael’s Church, in Leafield, to bid her farewell and hand over the bicycle.

She added: “It was such a lovely occasion, people have been so kind to me.

“My grandchildren were there, my mother was there, my sister from Aberdeen was there. It was wonderful bringing together the family and the parish as the whole thing is very matriarchal. I regard the whole thing, in a way, as my baby — to leave all of that is huge and I know it is mutual.”

Simon Salome-Bentley, who was at the service, said: “Jane was given a wonderful send-off.”

The churches will now be led by associate priests the Rev Sarah Jones and the Rev Brian Ford, with the help of lay minister Gail Jones, while a permanent replacement is found.