A VICAR has retired after serving two south Oxfordshire villages for a quarter of a century.

The Rev Chris Stott, 65, moved to Harwell in 1985 as Rector of St Matthew’s Church and nearby All Saints in Chilton, after six years working in Tanzania.

He said: “I thought I would be here for about 10 years, but as it worked out, it never seemed the right time to move on.”

Mr Stott and his wife Eva are retiring to Blewbury to be closer to daughter Jennie – who met husband Steve Slatter at the church when the family first moved to Harwell – and their two grandchildren.

Mr Stott said: “I was young when I came here, now I am old.

“It has been a great community to live in. Among the highlights have been the various festivals and church weekends, and two trips to Israel and Jordan that I led.

“We have lots of wonderful memories of the people we have worked with for many, many years.

“Harwell has changed a lot in the last 25 years, but both churches are still thriving.”

Parishioners celebrated his time at the church with a Thanksgiving Songs of Praise at St Matthew’s, followed by a party in the village hall.