AN ARCHDEACON has said farewell to the diocese he served for 13 years with a picnic at Whalley Abbey.

Christians from across the country gathered in a marquee to share a picnic, tea, chat with Archdeacon of Blackburn John Hawley and join in an evening of informal worship.

Mr Hawley said: “This evening has been a tremendous time of Christian worship and thanksgiving, with a deeply moving gathering of friends and colleagues I have worked with down the years.”

The event was attended by the bishop of Blackburn, Bishop Julian; bishop of Burnley, Bishop Phillip, and retired bishop of Burnley and Archdeacon Michael Everitt.

They were joined by diocesan staff as well as clergy and parishioners from across Lancashire and Mr Hawley’s former parishioners from Dewsbury.

Young curates from Hull and Bradford he had ministered in the 1970s also attended.

Whalley Abbey was chosen for the service as it had been a very important place to Archdeacon John throughout his time in Lancashire and he was determined that his very last service as Archdeacon should take place there.

Everyone prayed in silence to end the service, whilst Bishop John, Bishop Philip and Bishop Julian laid hands on Mr Hawley and asked for God’s blessing on him in the next chapter of his life in Goole.

Bishop Julian said: “John has been an invaluable member of the team here in Lancashire.”